Her voice is simply out of this world. A not-so-manly voice, yet far from the soprano voice of a woman. Born 21 years ago, the diva Arya Starr is that young Nigerian lady, bestriding the pop music world like a colossus, strutting her stuff and singing with her mellifluent deep voice that has mesmerized and captured the world. Such that today, from Africa to Europe to America, to South America, to Asia up to Antarctica, Arya Starr’s songs have become global anthems which the crowds sing along with her, anywhere in the world she performs.
Today, such is the diamond value of Arya Starr that she is singing on the same stage, side by side with the British, globally famous and most wanted pop group: Coldplay. I cannot forget the first time I watched Coldplay perform in Atlanta, USA. Their spectacular show coincided with my visit to that American City where I, along with my late friend Dimgba Igwe, visited Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthplace and resting place on our way from the IPI conference in Trinidad and Tobago.
Arya Starr whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has rapidly ascended from a local sensation to a global star. Her unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and soul has captivated audiences worldwide. And her recent feature on Coldplay’s latest album marks a significant milestone in her fairy tale career.
Arya Starr’s fairy tale story started with a video in which she was performing her original song. It was strategically sent on Instagram. And it instantly blew the mind of Don Jazzy, Nigeria’s musical talent hunter, producer and impresario. She released her debut EP, “19” in 2021. The project showcased her powerful vocals and songwriting abilities, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. It was followed by the release of her official first album from which came distinctive tracks like Beggie Beggie and the danceable Rush, just to mention a few.
The key to the success of his first album 19 & Dangerous and the current one The Year I Turned 21 can be found in the creative freedom she got from her recording company led by Don Jazzy.
In an interview, Ayra revealed: “They allowed me to do my thing. They understood my sound. They gave me a studio and an engineer to work with. They will listen to the music and give me pointers here and there. They never told me: ‘Make this kind of music.’ Or: ‘You need this type of music to break out. Do your thing and find your sound.’”
As Nigeria’s No.1 fan of Coldplay, I can’t help marrying the story of Coldplay and Ayra Starr. I am so thrilled that those who know her worth found her voice and her music so appealing to have invited her for a “collabo”. Being featured on a Coldplay album is a major endorsement and big publicity for any artist, and Starr’s inclusion on the “Good Feeling” track is a testament to her growing global appeal. As earlier mentioned, Coldplay is one of the world’s most popular bands, and their collaboration with Starr has introduced her to a wider audience and helped to elevate her profile. Hey, how I wish Coldplay will come to perform in Nigeria and featuring our own girl: Ayra Starr.
So, what are the lessons to be learnt from the story of Ayra Starr, from a rising star to a global sensation?
Lesson No.1. Have self-belief. Here was a young lady who throughout her childhood believed in the power and the uniqueness of her voice, such that she challenged her choirmaster who asked her to change from her natural voice to soprano.
“I always knew I would be a musician but I didn’t know how,” she says. “Growing up, since the age of six and seven, I knew one thing, just one thing, would change my whole life.”
She continues: “I used to argue in church (when they said) that I couldn’t take the lead role because of my voice. I have always had the voice I have now. Even my talking voice used to be very deep. I always had a very big voice. Even when I was in the choir, my choirmaster couldn’t believe it. He would tell me: ‘You are a lady. Try to sing in soprano.’ And I will reply: ‘I can’t sing in soprano. This is my voice. It’s been on and off thing, but I have always known that my voice is unique. Just the sound of it has always been unique.”
Lesson No.2. Encourage your children to join the choir in your church. God willing, he or she could be the next Arya Starr. When Arya Starr told her parents she wanted to go into singing, her dad discouraged her: “Dad was against my singing for a living. But my mother encouraged me to sing for God in the church. Friends recall that as a church girl, she was confessing and prophesying her future. She was fond of saying: “When I am star, I will do this and that.” On her prophetic utterances, Arya Starr says: “I believe in manifestation, speaking something into existence. I am doing God’s work. As a baby, I had a blind trust in God.”
Her brother recalls that her sister Arya once won a Maltina Dancehall competition: “That was when I knew there is something there.” Arya’s mother recalls her daughter “took on a lot of responsibilities as a child. She was the one managing the house.” The brother adds: “She was like the accountant to the house.”
Though he has ties with Benin Republic, Arya Starr says matter-of-factly that “I am a Nigeria girl and in the whole world, everybody is trying to sing in English. The dream is to be a global superstar from Africa. I want to be authentic and original. I want people to see me as very proud of where I come from. To succeed in this business, you have to find a way to stay grounded.
Lesson No.3. Be unpredictable. “I always try to surprise even myself with my moves,” Arya says. “I get bored very easily and I hate being perceived in a way people think they know my next move. I always want to try something new.”
