Nigerian music star, Ayra Starr isn’t whispering her dreams anymore—she’s belting them out like a chorus.
The celestial voice behind Rush and Santa just revealed her dream list of rap collaborators, and it reads like a Grammy afterparty guest list: Jay-Z, Young Thug, Dave, and more.
Now firmly planted on the global stage after winning Best International Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards, the 21-year-old Nigerian hitmaker is setting her sights higher than ever—way beyond Lagos, all the way to Roc Nation.
“Imagine Me on a Track with Jay-Z…”
In a candid interview that’s making waves across African and international music platforms, Ayra Starr voiced her admiration for Hov: “Just imagine me on a track with Jay-Z.”
She’s no stranger to listing icons as future collaborators. In the past, she’s mentioned Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Victoria Monét. Most recently, she doubled down on wanting to create magic with Rihanna and fellow Afrobeat superstar Burna Boy—a nod to the continent’s influence on global pop culture.
From her lips to Spotify’s algorithms, fans are already manifesting these collaborations.
Not Just a Wish List—It’s a Strategy
This isn’t just starstruck fangirling. Ayra’s vision is tactical. Her 2024 album — The Year I Turned 21 — already boasts a mosaic of global features: Asake, Coco Jones, Giveon, Anitta, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro. Each collaboration has inched her closer to full-blown crossover status.
“It’s about excellence,” Ayra said in a previous interview. “If the sound is right, I’m in.”
And the sound is increasingly international.
The Ayra Starr Collab Vision Board
| 🎤 Artist | ✨ Why She Wants Them |
|---|---|
| Jay-Z | Rap royalty, business icon, lyrical giant |
| Beyoncé | Cultural force, unmatched work ethic |
| Rihanna | Fashion-forward, genre-bending influence |
| Kendrick & J. Cole | Social consciousness meets poetic brilliance |
| Burna Boy | African excellence, global dominance |
| Young Thug & Dave | Experimental flair and lyrical edge |
