Ayra Starr has opened up on a defining lesson she picked up from Afrobeats icon Wizkid, revealing how working closely with the superstar reshaped her understanding of confidence and composure.
The Grammy-nominated singer made the revelation during an intimate appearance at the Grammy Museum in Brooklyn on Tuesday, December 16, where she was the centrepiece of A New York Evening With Ayra Starr. The event was held to celebrate her latest career milestone — a second Grammy nomination.
Speaking candidly to the audience, the MAVIN Records star described Wizkid as a towering figure whose presence goes beyond music, stressing that her experiences working with him left a lasting impression.
“Wizkid is a legend. We all know that. He is a living legend,” Starr said.
Recalling their early studio encounters, the Hot Body singer admitted she was initially overwhelmed by the moment but quickly learned something deeper from the Starboy’s demeanour.
“The first time I worked with him I couldn’t believe it. 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. He’s very calm as a human being, and very confident in his mission in this life and that made me learn a lot.”
“Wiz is a legend, we all know that! He’s a living legend. He made me understand that confidence is not noise, he’s just very calm as a human being, very present and confident in his mission in this life, and that made me learn a lot.”
– Ayra Starr. pic.twitter.com/UpwGiDipev
— Wizkid Source (@WizkidSource) December 17, 2025
Ayra Starr is currently enjoying a high point in her career, having earned a nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards in the Best African Music Performance category for Gimme Dat, her latest collaboration with Wizkid. The nod marks her second recognition from the Recording Academy, following her groundbreaking nomination for Rush at the 66th Grammy Awards.
Beyond awards, the partnership between Ayra Starr and Wizkid has grown into one of the most impactful collaborations in contemporary Afropop. Their journey began with 2 Sugar, a standout track from Wizkid’s More Love, Less Ego album in 2022, which climbed to No. 1 on the TurnTable Top 100 chart.
Their newest joint effort, Gimme Dat, has further strengthened that creative bond, earning critical acclaim, heavy airplay across the continent and now, a Grammy nomination. The track also serves as another reminder of Wizkid’s lasting influence within the Afrobeats ecosystem, even as a new generation of stars like Ayra Starr continues to rise.
theeee ayra starr arrives to her @GRAMMYMuseum performance in NYC 😍 pic.twitter.com/IzJyDjqmBX
— Ayra Starr Central (@ayrastarr360) December 17, 2025