Ayra Starr is the moment. Looking back at her debut eponymous EP and the well-rounded glimpse into her colourful world ‘19 and Dangerous’, Ayra Starr’s consistency and dedication is unquestionable. Coursing through relatable topics about love, life and familial relationships, Mavins pop princess represents everything Afropop needs right now, as she meets the demand for vulnerable and fluid songwriting.  She creates a balance with each release, eliciting different sides of herself and delivering everything from self-affirming anthems to vulnerable tracks. 

 

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Leading up to the release of her debut album’s deluxe ‘19 & Dangerous (Deluxe)’, Ayra Starr released the promotional single “Rush” which has rocked airwaves, landing the artist three consecutive weeks at No.1 on the TurnTable Top 100. She also affirms herself as the voice of this generation, scoring a record breaking title as the first female artist with two No.1 entries for “Bloody Samaritan” and “Rush”. 

The Mavin pop princess followed this up with the surprise release of “Bloody Samaritan Remix” with none other than Kelly Rowland whose awe-inspiring verse bolstered the single to new heights. With news of her deluxe album on the horizon, “Rush” and its successor, “Bloody Samaritan Remix” placed the spotlight firmly on Ayra Starr who is tapping into a modern take on the R&B and Afropop coming out of Nigeria.

Across the ’19 & Dangerous Deluxe,’ Ayra breathes new life into her album with new tracks that feature Zinoleesky, Lojay, Kelly Rowland and more, and unfiltered confidence oozing with each new update. However, it’s the previously teased Kayykilo-assisted “Skinny Girl Anthem” that stands out for being brassy, anthemic and instantly memorable. The track opens up with a slow rhythmic beat and a confident Ayra blatantly expressing her ability to “steal your man” without much effort due to her irresistible charisma. In typical Arya fashion, she does not shy away from expressing her sensuality through her sharp twitter lyricism and lush vocals. “I ain’t got no ass and no titties but I’ll steal your man with my kitty/Just a look and he’s with me,” she sings, armed to the teeth with affirmations for women who look like her.

 

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The track shows two sides to Ayra as she enlists her mellifluous vocals and quick-witted bars to deliver a message of showing up with unbridled confidence regardless of the acceptable body standards for Black women. As she continues to affirm herself and others like her, the track picks up becoming more urgent with its delivery as Ayra briefly speaks about her irresistible charm and her ability to have anyone she wants under her spell.

With her current trajectory in mind, it’s not hard to visualise these affirming lyrics from the singer. With each lyric, she’s pushing the envelope and delivering a self-determined showcase which puts women on top and calls out her demands: “Hypnotise the men in my city/We don’t see the red light we going 150.” While the track is clearly an anthem for the “skinny girls,” Ayra Starr also takes things a step further to ensure she expresses her love and respect for all body types, reinforcing that the power lays in the hands of the women. 

Kayykilo brings her fiery side, elevating the boldness and assertiveness of the track with equally affecting lyrics. Her verse stands out for its instantly quotable lyrics while simultaneously matching the energy of Ayra’s smooth vocals. With lyrics such as “I’m number 1 never number 2 and not 3rd, nigga/Cold bitch better go get you a fur, nigga,” Kayykilo continues with a string of self-proclaimed accolades followed by Ayra closing out with the catchy hook. 

With every new release, Ayra Starr continues to etch her name into the path created by artists of her ilk, while simultaneously making a lane for herself. She is constantly edging out the competition and proving she’s worth all the talk, with “Skinny Girl Anthem” serving as further proof that she’s going to be around for a very long time.

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