“How I coined my stage name with Don Jazzy’s help” – Ayra Starr

Sensational Afropop singer, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe shares the story behind her stage name, “Ayra Starr.”

While speaking during a for the Christmas interview special on Arise TV the talented musician said that her label boss, Michael “Don Jazzy” Ajereh, helped come up with the moniker.

The “Sabi” vocalist stated that she came up with the word “Ayra,” which means “woke and open-minded,” and that Jazzy contributed the suffix “Starr.”

Ayra Starr revealed that her stage name prior to signing with Mavin Records was “Oyin,” a nickname derived from her given name, Oyinkansola.

She said;

“There is this Yoruba name called Ira, I wanted people to pronounce it as ‘Aira.’ And I was like the only way the can pronounce it is by spelling it ‘A Y R A.’ So, I was thinking about it and something just told me to go ‘A Y R A.’

And went I did, everything just came together: The meaning of the name, it felt like God was speaking to me. And ‘Starr’ was Don Jazzy’s idea. Ayra means ‘woke and open minded.’ And that’s what I want. I want to be honoured and respected.”