“Don Jazzy signed me 3 days after seeing my video” – Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr, the well-known Nigerian vocalist whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has revealed that she was swiftly signed by her record label chief, Don Jazzy, in just three days.
The singer behind the hit “Sabi” shared how she performed a cover song and posted it on social media, leading to a record contract with Mavin Records.
Ayra Starr mentioned that her mother played a pivotal role in encouraging her to create song covers and redirecting her attention from modeling to pursuing a music career.
In her words; “I wanted to do modeling because everyone told me I couldn’t do it, like I’m not tall enough, and I told them, “watch me.” And I ended up doing it. When I look back, I’m so proud of little Ayra, too.
It’s because of her that I’m here now. It’s because of that 16-year-old girl who didn’t give up and kept going. I used to do cover [songs] on Instagram. My mum and her friends used to force me to do covers.
I uploaded one cover on Instagram, I didn’t even like the video. But something just kept telling me to post it and I did. Not up to 6 hours later, Don Jazzy reached out. Three days later, he signed me.”
The singer went on to say that she is not particularly worried by fans’ gazes in public, whether they are male or female.
She added; “I’m an artiste to the core, and I want my style, my hair, my music, to represent how I feel. I don’t care about aesthetics, it’s more about how I feel. I’m not bothered about the male, or female gaze, or anybody’s gaze for that matter, except my own.
I’ve always had a mind of my own. Growing up in different places, in different cultures, has shaped my mind. And despite all these influences, I’m still myself. I wrote “Asé” when I was 15 — I had no business writing that song. So that gives you a glimpse of the kind of mindset I had at a young age.”
