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Ayra Starr Unveils the Untold Story Behind Her Surprise Collaboration With Wizkid
Nigerian pop sensation Ayra Starr has opened up about how her chart-topping single Gimme Dat unexpectedly became a joint effort with Afrobeats superstar Wizkid.
Speaking in a recent interview with Complex on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the singer revealed that the collaboration came together almost effortlessly. After wrapping up the demo version of the track, which she personally directed, Ayra Starr said she instinctively knew who could elevate the song.
“I was like, ‘Okay, let’s send it to Wizkid,’” she recalled. To her surprise, the response was almost immediate. “He was like, ‘I love the song, I’m going to do it.’ Wizkid recorded the song in like three days.”
The speed of the process highlighted Wizkid’s renowned artistry and instinctive connection with music. Ayra Starr described the pairing as the perfect match, stressing that no other artist could have brought the same energy to the record. “Nobody else would have been right on that song aside from Wizkid,” she added.
Since its release, Gimme Dat has been celebrated for seamlessly fusing Ayra Starr’s unique sonic identity with Wizkid’s signature Afrobeats flair. Fans and critics alike have praised the record as one of the standout collaborations of the year, with many citing the natural chemistry between the two stars.
The track’s success underscores the evolving bond between Afrobeats’ new wave and its established icons, a synergy that continues to push the genre onto the global stage.
Ayra Starr shares the story of "Gimme Dat" (via Complex)
— "I was like let's send it to Wizkid. He was like 'I love the song, I'm going to do it'. Wizkid recorded the song in like 3 days. Nobody else would have been right on that song aside from Wizkid"pic.twitter.com/9yxFPQOMmK
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) August 21, 2025