Ayra Starr Names Burna Boy as Her Top Dream Collaboration in Candid Grammy Interview

Nigerian pop sensation and two-time Grammy nominee Ayra Starr has revealed that Afrobeat superstar Burna Boy is the artist she most wants to work with.

In a recent Billboard interview, the singer—born Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe—shared her collaboration wishlist while discussing her 2026 Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance.

“Everybody knows Burna Boy is like my number one person I want to collaborate with,” she said. “I’ve collaborated with a lot of people, and I still want to collaborate with many more people.”

Ayra earned the nomination for “Gimme Dat,” her 2025 collaboration with Wizkid, which samples the 1997 hit “911” by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige. Reflecting on the recognition, she described her second Grammy nomination as a moment of reassurance.

“The first time I got nominated, it was like, ‘Oh my God, I got nominated. This is crazy.’ But the second time felt like reassurance and just like, ‘Oh, I’m good at this. I know what I’m doing,’” she shared.

She also recounted the serendipitous recording process for “Gimme Dat,” noting that she only learned about the sample’s origin during the session—and later discovered she was recording in Wyclef Jean’s former studio.

“It felt like everything was just meant to be,” she said.

Despite the song’s success, Ayra admitted she initially struggled vocally during the recording. “First of all, I sounded horrible,” she laughed. “The engineer knew I sounded horrible.” After returning to the studio the next day, she pushed through with determination, crediting technology and perseverance for the final result.

Originally planned as a solo release, the track later featured Wizkid, which Ayra said aligned perfectly with its eventual launch.

Looking ahead, the singer confirmed she is working on new music and a book, embracing a year of creative freedom. “One thing I’m doing this year is creating whatever I want to exist,” she stated.

Ayra also expressed optimism about the global rise of African music: “I feel like it’s Africa’s time music-wise. We’ve always made amazing music, and the world is just catching up.”