Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has opened up about the profound artistic lessons she absorbed from working with Afrobeats icon Wizkid, crediting his demeanor for shaping her own approach to confidence and career. The revelation came during an intimate event at the Grammy Museum in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
The Quiet Masterclass from a Living Legend
At the 'A New York Evening With Ayra Starr' programme, the Mavin Records superstar, who is currently celebrating her second Grammy nomination, spoke candidly about her experiences with Wizkid. Ayra Starr described Wizkid as a "living legend" whose impact went far beyond musical collaboration.
"The first time I worked with him I couldn’t believe it," Starr told the audience. "Then the second time, he was coming to my set. He was just so cool, so calm, so relaxed. He made me understand that confidence is not noise."
She elaborated further, highlighting the subtle power of his presence: "He’s very calm as a human being, and very confident in his mission in this life and that made me learn a lot." This insight into Wizkid's composed nature, according to Starr, was a pivotal lesson in authentic self-assurance.
A Grammy-Nominated Partnership
The event served as a celebration of Starr's latest career milestone: a nomination for the 2026 Grammy Awards in the Best African Music Performance category. The nomination is for her electrifying collaboration with Wizkid, the hit song 'Gimme Dat'. This marks her second Grammy nod, following her historic first nomination for 'Rush' at the 66th ceremony.
The creative alliance between Ayra Starr and Wizkid has become a significant force in Afropop. It began with the duet '2 Sugar' from Wizkid's 2022 album 'More Love, Less Ego', which soared to No. 1 on the TurnTable Top 100 chart. 'Gimme Dat' has now solidified their partnership, earning critical acclaim and heavy airplay across the continent.
Wizkid's influence remains formidable. He closed out 2025 as Nigeria's most-streamed artist on both Spotify and Apple Music, with his 2024 album 'Morayo' being the country's most-streamed album. He continues to innovate, with a joint EP alongside Asake, 'Real Vol. 1', scheduled for release later in December 2025.
New York State of Mind: A Global Move
Ayra Starr's reflections on growth coincide with a major personal transition. In a recent interview on Hot 93.7FM’s Buck N Regg, the singer confirmed she has permanently relocated from Lagos to New York City, moving less than two months prior.
"I live in New York now, I officially moved in less than two months ago," Starr stated. "I no longer live in Nigeria, I am now living in New York officially." She explained that the city reminds her of Lagos and feels like home due to its large Nigerian community.
This strategic move signals her ambition to cement her status as a global pop star. Her success is already evident, as she was named the most-streamed female artist in Nigeria on Spotify's 2025 Wrapped charts.
With a new base in a global media capital and a Grammy nomination in hand, Ayra Starr is closing a remarkable year, carrying forward the lessons of calm confidence learned from one of Afrobeats' greatest icons.
