Ayra Starr Discusses Changes In Her Songwriting Style

Nigerian Afrobeats artist Ayra Starr has discussed the evolution of her music-making process, noting a shift towards experimenting with sounds rather than creating songs solely based on emotion.

During an interview on the Creatorium Podcast, she reflected on her artistic development and the changes in her studio approach since her debut project.

Ayra Starr indicated that her earlier work was closely tied to feelings and emotional experiences, but she is now more focused on exploring new sounds, unconventional ideas, and creative opportunities.

“It depends on what I am going for. Lately, for me, creating just starts with trying. Not emotion; just trying, then we see where it takes us. It may start with chords or sounds, or a specific sound I want to sample,”

she explained.

She elaborated that this new perspective has enabled her to take more creative risks in the studio, contrasting it with her first album era, which emphasized emotional storytelling.

“For my first album, it was more about trying something sad, something that matches emotion. But now, it’s more about experimenting sonically and indulging in different ideas to see where they lead,”

she noted.

Ayra Starr also revealed the real-life inspiration behind her song “Beggie Beggie,” explaining that the track was written during a bus ride home after overhearing a woman comment on someone begging in the vehicle.

“My first album has a song called Beggie Beggie. I literally wrote it on a bus. I was going back home and just wrote it there. Somebody was begging inside the bus, and a woman said, ‘See this one, beggie beggie,’”

she recounted.

In addition, the award-winning singer addressed the challenges of life behind the scenes of stardom, emphasizing that it can be both physically and emotionally taxing.

She acknowledged that despite extensive rehearsals and preparation, unforeseen technical difficulties can sometimes disrupt a performance, highlighting that genuine passion sustains artists through tough times.

“You have to have a certain type of love and passion for what you do to be able to do this. The glamour is the glamour, but behind the scenes, it’s a lot of work.

“It’s a lot of preparation. It’s a lot of not-so-amazing days. Sometimes, after rehearsing for two weeks, one sound can ruin the whole performance on stage,”

she stated.