According to David Guetta, a French DJ and record producer, the London and Los Angeles music industries consider Nigerian music star Ayra Starr as the new Barbadian-American icon Rihanna.
Guetta recently told Cool FM Nigeria that the Nigerian singer Ayra, also known as Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, is being dubbed the “new Rihanna” because of her distinct mood and cultural background.
He praised her capacity to bridge cultures through her song, possibly referring to her growing fame and popularity.
“When people speak about Ayra Starr in the [music] industry, like LA (Los Angeles) people and London people, a lot of us see her as the new Rihanna. Because she comes with a vibe that is very specific because of where she’s coming from. But she has the potential of crossing over into different cultures,” he said.
The DJ thinks Ayra’s distinctive musical style is a key factor in captivating a global audience.
“This is the power when you have something new to say, but at the same time, you have more than just that originality; I see this in her.
Guetta, who worked with Ayra Starr and American rapper Lil Durk on the song ‘Big Fu,’ emphasized her international appeal, drawing parallels to the last time he saw such global popularity with Akon.
“Since we recorded, she is having even more hits. It’s crazy. I’m French. I was in Paris and everyone was talking about her. I was shocked, like, ‘This is amazing’.
“An African artiste that’s killing it in Europe, killing it in the U.S.—it’s not every day. Last time I saw this, I was working with Akon.’”
In early 2021, Starr achieved mainstream recognition with her debut extended play and its hit track “Away.”
The 21-year-old singer, who is signed to Mavin Records, one of Nigeria’s biggest musical labels, catapulted to prominence with the publication of her debut self-titled extended play (EP), “Ayra Starr,” in January 2021.
Her work is distinguished by a distinctive blend of relevant words and captivating tunes.
