Afrobeats star Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, widely known as Ayra Starr, has shared a deeper look into how her music-making approach has evolved, revealing a shift from emotionally driven songwriting to a more experimental, sound-first creative process.
Speaking on the Creatorium Podcast, she explained that her current method is less about waiting for inspiration and more about actively testing ideas in the studio until something clicks.
“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. Sometimes, I just want to do something fun or make something that sounds different,” she said.
Rather than anchoring her work in a single feeling or lived experience, Ayra described a process built on curiosity—allowing melodies, chords, and samples to guide the direction of a song organically.
Revisiting Her Debut Era and Emotion-Driven Beginnings
Reflecting on her earlier work, the singer noted that her debut album was shaped more heavily by emotional storytelling, a contrast to her current experimental mindset.
“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 also recalled the spontaneous and very real-life moment that inspired one of her standout early songs, Beggie Beggie, revealing how everyday experiences sometimes feed directly into her writing.
“My first album has a song called Beggie Beggie. I literally wrote it in 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’.”
Behind the Glamour: Discipline, Pressure, and the Grind
Beyond creativity, Ayra also touched on the demanding reality behind her public image, emphasizing that consistency and preparation are essential parts of sustaining a music career.
“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.”
She further highlighted the fragility of live performance preparation, noting how even minor issues can disrupt extensive rehearsal efforts.
“Sometimes, after rehearsing for two weeks, one sound can ruin the whole performance on stage,” she said.
A Creative Identity in Motion
Ayra Starr’s reflections point to an artist in transition—one who is increasingly drawn to experimentation and sonic discovery, while still acknowledging the emotional roots and discipline that shaped her early career.