Grammy Nominated Afrobeats star Ayra Starr said her first choice of career was modeling, but it was her mother who changed her focus to music.
She revealed that it was a cover song she did on social media that opened the doors wide for her.
“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 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.
“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.”
