The origin of the stunning Afropop singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe’s stage name, “Ayra Starr,” is revealed.
Speaking at the Arise TV Christmas interview special, the gifted artist revealed that her label boss, Michael “Don Jazzy” Ajereh, contributed to the name’s creation.
The vocalist for “Sabi” claimed that Jazzy added the suffix “Starr,” and that she was the one who came up with the name “Ayra,” which means “woke and open-minded.”
Ayra Starr disclosed that “Oyin,” a moniker derived from her given name, Oyinkansola, was her stage name before she signed with Mavin Records.
Says she:
“I wanted everyone to pronounce this Yoruba name, Ira, as ‘Aira.'” I responded by saying that they could only pronounce it by spelling it “A Y R A.” I was contemplating it when I suddenly felt compelled to go “A Y R A.”
I followed through, and as soon as I did, everything clicked into place: I sensed God communicating to me through the significance of the name. ‘Starr’ was also Don Jazzy’s idea. The term “woke and open minded” is ayra. And that’s my desire. I want to be respected and treated with honor.