‘She Has Most Definitely Changed My Own Life Too’ — Don Jazzy Hails Ayra Starr
Music executive and Mavin Records founder Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has spoken about the profound impact Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has had on his life and career.
The record producer made the remarks on X on Thursday while responding to a fan who praised him for playing a major role in the singer’s rise to prominence.
Rather than taking sole credit for Ayra Starr’s success, Don Jazzy acknowledged that the relationship had been mutually transformative, recalling the moment he first encountered the young singer’s talent online.
“She has most definitely changed my own life too. I bless the day I was shown her Instagram freestyle o. And she has been nothing but a dream Starrgirl,” he wrote.
The comment offered a glimpse into the early stages of Ayra Starr’s career, which began to take shape after Don Jazzy discovered her through her freestyles on Instagram.
Impressed by her vocal ability and artistic potential, he subsequently signed her to Mavin Records, giving her a platform to develop and introduce her music to a wider audience.
Since then, Ayra Starr has grown from a promising young singer into one of the prominent names driving the new generation of Afrobeats. Her music has travelled beyond Nigeria, earning her a growing international following and collaborations with major artistes from Nigeria and abroad.
Her rise has also strengthened Mavin Records’ position as a major force in the contemporary African music scene, with the label nurturing a new generation of artistes and helping them reach audiences beyond the continent.
Starrgirl marks another milestone
Ayra Starr’s latest chapter comes with the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which arrived on August 14.
The 16-track project brings together some of the biggest names in contemporary music, reflecting the singer’s expanding influence and international reach.
Among the Nigerian artistes featured on the album are Wizkid and Rema, while the international guest list includes ZAYN, Leon Thomas, kwn, Theodora and Danny Ocean.
Wizkid contributes to “Gimme Dat”, while Rema appears on “Who’s Dat Girl”, adding further star power to an album that underscores Ayra Starr’s evolution as an artiste.
For Don Jazzy, however, the singer’s significance appears to extend beyond her commercial achievements.
His latest remarks point to a relationship in which the executive’s decision to give Ayra Starr an opportunity ultimately became a defining moment for both of them. What began with an Instagram freestyle has developed into a partnership that has helped shape one of Afrobeats’ most recognisable young voices.
As Ayra Starr continues to expand her global footprint, Don Jazzy’s reflection serves as a reminder that the discovery of emerging talent can transform not only an artiste’s career but also the person who recognised that talent in the first place.