Sensational Afropop singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe recently shared the origin of her stage name, “Ayra Starr,” during a special Christmas interview on Arise TV.
The talented musician revealed that her label boss, Michael “Don Jazzy” Ajereh, played a crucial role in creating the moniker.
According to the “Sabi” vocalist, she contributed the word “Ayra,” which signifies being “woke and open-minded,” while Don Jazzy added the suffix “Starr.” Ayra Starr further disclosed that her initial stage name before signing with Mavin Records was “Oyin,” 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.”