Ayra Starr has named Burna Boy as her ultimate dream collaborator, describing the Afrobeats giant as her “number one” choice for a future project.
In a recent interview with @billboardnews, the Mavin Records star shared her ambitions following her double nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Starr was recognised in the Best African Music Performance category for “Gimme Dat,” her hit collaboration with Wizkid.
Reflecting on her rising career, the singer admitted that her second nomination felt like a crucial “reassurance.”
“The first time was crazy, but the second time felt like, ‘Oh, I’m good at this. I know what I’m doing,'” she remarked. “Every day I feel grateful; it’s a new feeling to realise I’m a two-time Grammy nominee.”
Ayra Starr also revealed the surprising journey behind “Gimme Dat,” which samples the Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige classic “911”.
Born in 2002, the singer confessed she was initially unaware of the sample’s heritage until legendary producer Don Jazzy pointed it out during the session.
In a twist of fate, she later discovered she was recording in Wyclef’s former studio. Despite the “meant to be” atmosphere, the recording process was a struggle.
“I sounded horrible on the first day,” she admitted. “My voice was all over the place, but I was determined. I gave it my all, and we thank God for technology, it came out beautiful.”
The track was originally intended as a solo single, but the addition of Wizkid eight months after its initial recording proved to be the turning point.
For her, the current global spotlight on Afrobeats is long overdue. “I feel like it’s Africa’s time music-wise,” she said. “We’ve always made amazing music; the world is just catching up.”
The singer is currently working on a new album and hinted at expanding her creative horizons into literature, stating: “By God’s grace, a book.”
