Clash Magazine

Living In her Power: @ayrastarr Interviewed

When she was a girl in school, Ayra Starr used to scribble all over her books. While most of her classmates were writing about film stars and sporting icons, she was writing lyrics. Right now, though, the Nigerian artist is living the dream. New album ‘Starrgirl’, out tomorrow, is set to be an international blockbuster, propelled by massive singles including her social media-conquering Rema collaboration, ‘Who’s Dat Girl’, the instinctive ‘Tornado’ and radiant summer burner ‘Where Do We Go’.

At every turn, she’s working from intuition. “With this album, I wanted to understand my culture and myself, and to add to them,” she explains. “To find a way to blend tradition while existing in multitudes. I was mixing realism and surrealism, which is something I’ve never done before.”

“The best music is made when you leave your ego at the door,” Ayra points out. “As artists, having an ego can come with the territory. And that means someone can get hurt because one line gets cut. But when you’re humble to the art, you humble yourself, and understand that you’re a vessel. That’s when you make the most amazing music.”

Click the link in the bio to read the cover feature in full.

In Association With @magnumuki

Words: Robin Murray
Photography: @florencemann_
Fashion: @yanderejan
Creative Direction: @rbpmstudio
Makeup: @makeupbychelseax @tegaosa.beauty
Hair: @thelacebandit
Nail Tech: @karentatiana._