Ayra Starr has made her debut on NPR's Tiny Desk concert series, performing five songs and offering fans a first live preview of 'Tornado,' an unreleased track from her upcoming album Starrgirl. The performance, part of NPR Music's 2026 Black Music Month series, was published on NPR Music's YouTube channel.
The Setlist
The set opened with 'Gimme Dat' and 'Who's Dat Girl' before introducing 'Tornado,' a new track from her forthcoming album. Starr closed the performance with 'Amin' and 'Orun,' two faith-rooted songs that showcased a more personal side of the artist known for high-energy pop records.
Starrgirl Album Details
Starrgirl is Ayra Starr's third studio album, scheduled for release on August 14, 2026, through Mavin Records. The album follows a series of singles that have built anticipation, including 'Gimme Dat' featuring Wizkid, 'Who's Dat Girl' with Rema, and 'Where Do We Go,' released in March 2026. A new single, 'Tornado,' is set to drop this Friday, with the Tiny Desk set serving as its live debut.
The Tiny Desk Experience
Starr has spoken about dreaming of performing at the Tiny Desk since she was 14 years old. For the performance, she chose a simple black sweatsuit, putting the focus on her vocals and stage presence. The NPR Tiny Desk Concert series, running since 2008, is filmed at NPR's Washington D.C. headquarters and has become a respected performance format, known for exposing the vocal and artistic depth of artists.
Nigerian Artists on Tiny Desk
Ayra Starr joins a growing list of Nigerian artists to appear on the platform, including Burna Boy, Tems, and Asake. Tems notably appeared twice, using her second performance to preview her debut album Born in the Wild. Starr's decision to debut 'Tornado' at the Desk follows a similar strategy.
The performance is available now on NPR Music's YouTube channel. Starrgirl arrives August 14.
