In a revealing Billboard interview published on Thursday, two-time Grammy nominee Ayra Starr has openly declared that Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy stands as her foremost choice for a future musical collaboration. The conversation, which took place with Love Island USA star Chelley, provided a platform for the rising singer to reflect on her recent Grammy recognition and artistic aspirations.
Burna Boy Tops Ayra Starr's Collaboration Wishlist
Ayra Starr made her position unequivocally clear during the interview, stating that Burna Boy represents her ultimate collaboration target. "Everybody knows Burna Boy is like my number one person I want to collaborate with. I've collaborated with a lot of people, and I still want to collaborate with many more people," the singer explained. She reinforced this sentiment by adding, "Burna Boy is my #1 person I'd love to collaborate with."
Grammy Recognition and Career Milestones
The interview occurred as Ayra Starr celebrates her 2026 Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance for her collaboration with Wizkid on Gimme Dat, released on April 25, 2025. The nominations were officially announced in November 2025, with the awards ceremony scheduled for February 1, 2026.
Reacting to this significant career achievement, the Sabi Girl singer described her second Grammy nomination as a moment of professional validation. "I remember I was so excited. I was like, 'Oh my God. Oh my God. I knew it. I knew it.' Every day I feel happy. I'm very grateful. Every day it's like a new feeling — 'Oh, I'm actually a two-time Grammy nominee,'" she shared enthusiastically.
Comparing Grammy Nominations: From Surreal to Confident
Ayra Starr offered insightful reflections on how her two Grammy nominations have impacted her artistic journey differently. "The first time I got nominated, it was like, 'Oh my God, I got nominated. This is crazy.' But the second time felt like reassurance, like, 'Oh, I'm good at this. I know what I'm doing.' Maybe I need to trust God and myself a bit more," she articulated, highlighting her growing confidence in the music industry.
The Creative Journey Behind Gimme Dat
Delving into the creative process behind her nominated track, Ayra Starr revealed fascinating details about Gimme Dat, which samples the 2000 hit 911 by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige. The singer admitted she only discovered the sample's origin during recording sessions. "I was born in 2002, so I didn't really know until I was recording the song and Don Jazzy said, 'Okay, this is a 911 sample.' Then I went to do my research and I was like, wow," she explained.
Serendipitous Studio Connection
Adding to the song's serendipitous nature, Ayra Starr disclosed that she recorded Gimme Dat in Wyclef Jean's own studio without initially realizing the connection. "The crazy thing was that the studio I was recording in was also Wyclef's studio, and I didn't know that at the time. So it felt like everything was just meant to be," she marveled, emphasizing the track's destined quality.
Recording Challenges and Evolution
The singer further revealed that the recording process presented vocal challenges that required perseverance. "I struggled vocally during the initial recording sessions but remained determined," she noted. Interestingly, Ayra Starr recorded the song as a solo project months before Wizkid's involvement. "I recorded this song maybe six or eight months before it actually came out. This was before Wizkid even jumped on it. It was supposed to be just my single," she clarified, highlighting the track's evolution from solo endeavor to collaborative success.
This comprehensive interview showcases Ayra Starr's artistic ambitions, her gratitude for Grammy recognition, and the fascinating backstory behind one of her most successful musical collaborations to date.
