Ayra Starr has officially stepped into a new phase of her global journey, and this time, the spotlight is in New York City.
The Afrobeats sensation recently revealed that she has now taken up residence in the bustling American city, a move that many fans suspected but hadn’t heard her confirm until now.
In a candid video interview, Ayra opened up about settling into her new environment and why the transition has felt surprisingly natural. When asked point-blank if she now lives in New York, she flashed a smile and replied, “I do,” adding that she’s been officially based there for “less than two months.” For her, this wasn’t exactly a dramatic relocation. “I’m always in New York regardless,” she said. “I’ve always been in New York. I’m a New Yorker in my spirit.”
Ayra Starr shared that part of what makes New York feel so familiar is how much it mirrors Lagos, the city that shaped her childhood, early artistry, and breakout into the Afrobeats scene. “New York reminds me so much of Lagos,” she explained, pointing to the running pulse of the streets, the hustle, the noise, the culture, all of it. “So it feels like home.”
Another layer of comfort comes from the city’s vibrant African presence. “There’s a lot of Nigerians here. There’s a huge African diaspora here, so it feels like home,” she added, highlighting how the community softens the distance from Nigeria.
At just 23, Ayra Starr now finds herself positioned even closer to the heart of the global music ecosystem, with New York serving as a launchpad for the next stretch of her international rise.
Her move comes at a time when fellow stars like Rema are touching down for major shows in Lagos — a reminder of how Nigerian artists continue to move fluidly between home and the diaspora, shaping music conversations worldwide.
“I’ve always felt like a New Yorker in my spirit” — Singer Ayra Starr reveals why she officially moved to New Yorkpic.twitter.com/UK0ekH7dCj
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) November 25, 2025