Veteran Nigerian music executive and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, has shared honest thoughts about love, relationships, and his stance on monogamy.
In a recent interview with media personality Nancy Isime, the hitmaker admitted that he doesn’t see himself as someone built for a one-woman relationship.
Speaking candidly, Don Jazzy explained that while he admires people who can fully commit to one partner in relationships, he personally finds it difficult. He revealed that even when he’s involved with someone, his admiration for other women doesn’t fade, making it challenging for him to maintain a strictly monogamous relationship.
“I don’t believe I’m strong enough to be with one person,” he confessed. “I think people will run away from me for being this truthful. I won’t be in a relationship and pretend you’re the only one I find attractive. Some people, when they’re dating, the things that make them admire others get turned off, I really respect those people. But for me, it doesn’t work like that.”
Don Jazzy’s remarks have sparked conversations online, with fans praising his honesty while others debated the the issue amongst themselves.
"I don't have the strength to be with only one person"
Here are 23 interesting facts about Ayra Starr you probably didn’t know.
Afrobeats’ golden girl, Ayra Starr, turned 23 on June 14, 2025, and while fans worldwide celebrated her new age, many are still curious about the woman behind the voice.
Since breaking out with her self-titled EP under Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2021, the Rush hitmaker has become a global sensation, with chart-topping singles, viral anthems, and a distinct Gen Z appeal.
In early June 2025, Ayra Starr made history by clinching the Best International Act award at the BET Awards. This accolade which was a major highlight of the evening, recognizes outstanding non‑American artists, and her win confirmed her status among the world's top global musicians. It marked a major milestone for Nigerian and African women in music, demonstrating her ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with established global stars.
2. Double victory at the 2025 MOBO Awards
Celebrating African music at its finest! Big congrats to @ayrastarr , winner of Best African Music Act. A well-deserved recognition for an artist making waves across the continent and beyond! #MOBOAwardspic.twitter.com/dynMpf8syI
In February 2025, she had two major MOBO wins in Newcastle, Best African Music Act and Best International Act, the former being particularly notable because no female had won it in 16 years.
This sweep defied expectations and cemented her reputation as a trailblazer, earned through both technical skill and cultural appeal. It also reflected growing recognition of female artists in Afrobeats on the world stage.
3. Gimme Dat collab with Wizkid
Her 2025 single Gimme Dat, featuring Wizkid, cleverly samples the classic Mary J. Blige & Wyclef Jean track 911. In Nigeria, the song peaked at No. 3, and it also climbed into the top 10 of the Billboard US Afrobeats chart. The collaboration showcased her ability to blend nostalgia with modern flair while solidifying her position as a key player in the genre’s new guard.
4. Spotify’s Nigerian impact campaign
Ayra Starr has made history as the first female to win Best African Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards, a feat unmatched by any woman in 16 years. Globally, she led Spotify’s Nigeria Global Impact List 2025 with six top 30 songs, including "Santa" at , showcasing her unique dominance as… pic.twitter.com/7ov6PuKYLK
In early 2025, Ayra dropped tracks from her album The Year I Turned 21, landing six of them in Spotify’s “Nigeria Global Impact” Top 30. This Spotify metric measures music that’s resonating worldwide through Nigerian listeners. It proves she can pack a punch with more than one hit, inspiring an entire playlist of hits that audiences around the world are streaming hard.
5. Rush conquers the UK
Ayra Starr's "Rush" has now been certified platinum in the UK
Rush, her seminal hit, peaked at No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart and gained significant traction across multiple European territories. In May, 2025, Rush became certified platinum in the UK. It became her first song to achieve this milestone in the region. The success reflects how her music and Afrobeats more broadly, is crossing into Western mainstream airwaves. It also confirms that her sound resonates with diverse audiences, not just Afrobeats fans.
In 2023, Rush earned a Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance category. Although she didn’t win, the nomination alone boosted her international visibility and flagged her as one of Afrobeats’ most formidable young voices.
7. 100 Million YouTube views by age 18
Happy 23rd birthday, Ayra Starr
⁃First Nigerian female artiste to surpass 400 million views on YouTube.
⁃First Nigerian female artiste to debut an album on the Billboard Albums 200 chart.
⁃First project by a Nigerian female artiste to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.… pic.twitter.com/KOWPHIoyxi
By early 2021, at just 18 years old, Ayra became the youngest Nigerian female artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube, powered mainly by the viral success of Rush. Also, she became the first Nigerian female artiste to surpass 400 million views on YouTube. Her meteoric rise not only showcased her generation's power to go global via digital platforms but also marked her as a phenomenon in a single click.
Her debut album, 19 & Dangerous (2021), was a masterclass in genre fluidity, melding Afropop, R&B, alté, trap, neo-soul, jazz, and EDM. The creative melding helped carve out her distinctive sound: a refreshing fusion that resists easy categorization but appeals to music lovers across styles.
At the Balmain FW24 show in Paris, Ayra stunned in a latex cut-out look, an appearance that instantly went viral in fashion circles. Her ability to seamlessly step into couture-runway spaces reinforced her dual status as both a music star and a fearless fashion icon.
10. Educated & multilingual
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, she holds a degree in International Relations from Les Cours Sonou University. Growing up between Nigeria and Benin educated her in English, Yoruba, and French, further connecting her with diverse West African audiences.
Before her rise in music, Ayra was signed to Quove Models in Lagos, featuring in brand campaigns and magazine spreads. Her early modeling built her comfort in the spotlight, and that experience carries through her confident stage presence and visuals.
12. Her name means 'woke'
She defines Ayra rooted in Arabic as meaning "woke" or "eye‑opening," reflecting her mission to uplift and empower listeners. It’s a name that perfectly aligns with her music's themes of growth, self-discovery, and authenticity.
13. Faith underpins her art
Despite her bold style, Ayra describes herself as deeply spiritual and references her Christian faith in interviews. This balance between personal belief and artistic expression deepens her appeal, conveying sincerity beyond the glamor.
14. Writes her own music
Hits like Away, Rush, and Bloody Samaritan are penned by Ayra herself, evidence of her creative control and authenticity as an artist. Her writing reinforces that she’s not just a performer but a storyteller.
15. TikTok-fueled viral sensation
Thanks to TikTok, Rush exploded into global consciousness. TikTok users turned her song’s catchy hook into a viral dance moment. The buzz propelled her music past 100 million YouTube views and earned her pop undeniable recognition.
16. Mostly vegetarian lifestyle
Ayra has shared her preference for a plant-based diet, reflecting her commitment to health, eco-conscious living, and self-care. It’s a reminder of her off-stage poise behind the energy of her performances.
17. Proud anime fan
She’s an anime nerd at heart, frequently praising Naruto and Attack on Titan in interviews. The unexpected detail illustrates her pop culture depth and reveals interests beyond typical celebrity talk.
18. Billboard 200 alumna
JUST IN
Ayra Starr makes HISTORY as she becomes the first Nigerian female artist to debut an album on the Billboard Albums 200 chart.
Her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21 not only debuted at No. 1 in Nigeria but also earned a spot on the Billboard 200, making her the first Nigerian woman to land in that ranking. It’s another testament to her rising global influence.
Of all the facts about Ayra Starr, this is the most obvious. From couture to streetwear, Ayra consistently delivers bold, boundary-pushing looks. Whether styled in vintage glam or edgy streetwear, she’s fast becoming one of Africa’s most influential style leaders.
20. Champion for LGBTQ+ rights
Grammy nominated icon Ayra Starr has donated $1.5 million to the LGBTQ+ community.
Ayra’s expressed visible support for LGBTQ+ communities, advocating love, inclusion, and self-expression through her public platforms. In culturally conservative spaces, her stance fuels positive social change.
21. Manifestation advocate
She often credits “manifesting greatness” for guiding her trajectory, believing in affirmations and positive thinking. Her mindset reflects Gen Z’s alignment with spiritual wellness and personal growth as pathways to success.
22. Featured on ‘Creed III’ soundtrack
A reminder that Ayra Starr featured in these two big movie soundtracks in 2023
In 2023, she appeared on the Creed III soundtrack, placing her voice alongside major international artists. Her inclusion speaks to her crossover appeal and growing rapport within film and music industries.
23. Headlined a world tour in 2024
It’s my first headline tourrrrr !!! I’ve been touring around the world , opening for other artists , opening stages at festivals , Now it’s an Ayra Starr show ! ! Pre sale tickets are live tomorrow , CODE : (MOBSTARRS)! Tickets go live on fridayyy! Link in my sexy… pic.twitter.com/D02lLn4aw3
Her 21: The World Tour spanned North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, taking her message to fans across continents. The tour showcased her stage energy, global reach, and status as a next-gen Afrobeats heavyweight.
Lastly, of all the facts about Ayra Starr, it is evident that at just 23, she isn’t just observing music culture, she’s shaping it. From awards and viral hits to fashion and activism, her story embodies what it means to build a modern musical empire rooted in purpose and global outlook.
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Ayra Starrhas won her first BET award after clinching the highly coveted Best International Act Award. The Afrobeats star beat out strong competition, which included Mavin Records labelmate Rema, last year's winnerTyla, Ghanaian maverick Black Sherif, andUncle Waffles, among others.
The win was well celebrated by multiple sections of the homebound and international audience, as Ayra Starr has often been nominated for top international awards, including the BET and Grammys, but had previously come second to other artists. This feels like a deserved win, especially considering the quietly purposeful year Starr has been having. A few weeks ago, she performed at a New Balance event, and her two singles, the Valentine anthem "All The Love" and theWizkid-featured "Gimme Dat," have been doing very well on the charts.
As expected, Ayra's BET nod has opened up a flurry of conversations. One of those is Jay-Z's Roc Nation congratulating Ayra Starr via their X account. This move has sparked speculation about whether the label has signed the Nigerian star or has some ongoing business in the background.
It is known that since the 2010s, Mavin CEODon Jazzy has maintained a connection with his Roc Nation counterpart, with Jay-Z reportedly sending members of his team, including the rapper Jay Electronica, to scout for Nigerian talent. This visit also resulted in a song.
A more pressing commentary on Ayra's BET win is that her award was presented to her backstage despite her presence at the event, which was held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. People have noted how Wizkid once criticized international award shows for their reluctance to appreciate African acts on the same stages as their international colleagues, an act the Afrobeats veteran labeled as "rubbish."
Ayra Starr has also insisted on being properly recognized for her work, criticizing Nigeria's premier music awards, the Headies, in 2023 for awarding her Best Female Act after the event had concluded. "We didn't deserve such nonchalance!" she wrote in a post on X afterward. It remains to be seen how she will respond to BET's action, but such actions should have no place in the music industry, especially in a globalized scene that owes its success to the efforts of players from around the world.
Beyond Ayra's win, Africa had further reason to celebrate as the Amapiano women DJ duo TxC snagged the coveted Best New International Act, joining their respected South African forebears likeBlack Coffee andSho Madjozi who have won the BET in previous years.
Cynthia Erivo, the British actor of Nigerian descent, was also awarded Best Actress, cementing her place as one of the faces of contemporary Black cinema. Erivo has had a phenomenal year, earning critical acclaim and multiple prestigious nominations for her powerhouse performance as Elphaba in the blockbuster musical "Wicked," including Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG, and Critics' Choice nominations for Best Actress.
OkayAfrica was on the ground, capturing the energy and excitement of African talent on the red carpet. We spoke with several of the continent's brightest stars.
The duo TxC was excited to be there and wished that everyone could experience the energizing atmosphere. “It is crazy! Being here, seeing everybody, the atmosphere … everything that is happening right now. I feel like everybody should experience this,” one of them tells OkayAfrica.
Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has weighed in on the controversy stirred by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM) over comments about Afrobeats superstars Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy.
The drama unfolded after the three music heavyweights recently splurged on luxury cars, including Burna Boy’s N3.2 billion McLaren, prompting VDM, real name Vincent Martins Otse, to criticize them in a viral video. In the clip, VDM accused the artists of neglecting ordinary Nigerians and not using their wealth to support the people.
Reacting to the claims, Portable took to social media to defend the trio, questioning VDM’s credibility and motives. The controversial Zazoo crooner recalled personal experiences, revealing that Burna Boy once gave him N20 million and Davido had publicly donated large sums to charity in the past.
Portable also took shots at VDM, asking how funds reportedly donated to his NGO, including N100 million allegedly from Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy, were spent. He challenged the activist to show evidence of projects like schools or housing initiatives funded with the donations.
In a fiery video, Portable reminded VeryDarkMan of his humble beginnings, calling out what he described as hypocrisy. “People should be free to spend their money as they wish,” Portable stated, adding that no amount given out will ever satisfy everyone.
The singer ended his response by cautioning VDM against overstepping his boundaries and targeting respected figures in the entertainment industry, insisting that the critic should focus on meaningful issues.
Kehinde Alabi, better known as Louddaaa, interned as a sound engineer in Port Harcourt before moving to Lagos about five years ago. He started seeking employment as a sound engineer since it seemed production didn't make sense — he hadn't produced in over a year as production jobs weren't readily available. He submitted his CVs to studios, companies, and radio stations, but "they all rejected me," Louddaaa recalls in a recent Zoom conversation with OkayAfrica.
A friend would send him a vacancy post that turned out to beMavin Records. "Are these people trying to scam me or something?" he remembers thinking, but he sent his credentials and got the job after a series of interviews. "It was a miracle," he says, "and I told myself I would be the best recording engineer ever because it felt like a second chance for me. I had hope again."
The journey to becoming a producer was even more interesting, relates Louddaaa. He selected beats and recorded the Mavin Records artists, but stayed back after every session to arrange beats. Due to his residence being on the Mainland, going to the other side of Lagos was stressful each evening. While making beats one night,Don Jazzy entered the studio and heard something he was making. "Can we tryAyra [Starr] on this?" the don asked, and soon enough, Louddaaa got locked in with the newly minted star, whose debut EP and album he would significantly influence.
Still, Louddaaa was unconvinced he was a producer. Sometimes, he flunked the producer sessions he was booked for since he didn't think he could replicate the genius of Ayra Starr's songs. "Working with her was different; we had a deep connection," he would explain. "It was easy; there was no tension. We simply exchanged ideas. They were ideas that took us six months to create; now you want me to create a beat on the spot?"
"It took a while for me to start playing that role of a producer," he says, "because I kept telling myself: 'I don't know why they love this thing that I'm doing. What do they like? This is not really making sense to me.' I wasn't sure about myself. It took me a while to say, 'Bro, it's happening already. They like this."
Since those days of uncertainty, Louddaaa has imprinted his sound more visibly on the colorful skies of contemporary Afrobeats. Shining with a deeply personal energy, the mellow and measured quality of Louddaaa's sound has shaped the early careers of new-age Mavin artists, fromMagixx toBayanni andBoy Spyce. This isn't a mere coincidence, he tells OkayAfrica. "Whenever I want to work with an artist, the first thing I do is try to engage them," he says. "I have a conversation with them and understand where they are. Then I try to create a sound based on all the information I have that I think is unique to your story."
He applied the same approach withDavido, collaborating on two tracks for his recent album,5IVE. Louddaaa had tried connecting with the star in 2021 and subsequent years, but nothing came out of those efforts. Then, in February of last year, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit — Louddaaa is a firm believer — to create music for Davido, which he collaborated on with his friend, Dayo Grey.
"I was very intentional," he says. "I listen to David a lot, and I have an idea of where he is based on all the songs and features he has done in the past. I also have an idea of where he should be in terms of music, and I just put all those things together."
They made 'Anything,' which stands out as an exceptional high point even among an album characterized by its triumphant moments. Davido had committed to recording the track, and Louddaaa still had many ideas to explore. He wanted something vintage for Davido, a beat with the rustic qualities of the classic "Aye," whose chorus he enthusiastically sings. "I told him, let's go back to that old David," he explains. "Let's create a 2024 record that has an element of the old David but still feels good for this age that we're in. That's how we made '10 Kilo,' I sent it to my songwriter friend, and he came up with some ideas, the melodies, and everything."
Louddaaa orchestrated the record. "I remember when I first sent the beat for 'Anything' to my songwriter, the first thing they wrote, I was like 'nah, this is not it,' because I had an idea what I wanted him to sound like: a Davido and Louddaaa song," he attests. "Everything that you guys hear now, to the glory of God, was something that I envisioned. In terms of the writing, production, and everything, we tried different ideas."
It's clear that Louddaaa isn't just another producer — he's a designer of entire soundscapes. "I call myself an 'A&R' in quotes," he says, "not an official A&R, but I have this ear to design a sound that is unique for an artist." More artists now want the sauce; between last year and now, his roster includes the likes ofLojay,Chike,Black Sherif, andSimi, whose latest album featured nine tracks from Louddaaa. Most of these artists share a soulful core; Louddaaa says the inspiration pulls both ways.
"It's from my end, first of all," he says. "My sound is born from my life experiences. I've gone through so many dark things in my life that I can't even go into details right now. My life is a rollercoaster. Growing up, music was like a coping mechanism for me. It was what I used to bury most of the things I was dealing with as a child and as a teenager. Every time I make music, I connect it to one of those things. I'm saying something, but it's with music. One of my biggest testimonies is when people listen to my music, they tell me they love it, it's so soulful, it's so emotional. And I'm like, 'Thank you, Jesus.' Because that was my goal — I want you to feel something."
Connexion
Celebrating African music at its finest! Big congrats to 
A superstar lighting up the global stage! Congratulations to 
Ayra Starr's "Rush" has now been certified platinum in the UK 
(@AlbumTalksHQ) 
! Pre sale tickets are live tomorrow , CODE : (MOBSTARRS)! Tickets go live on fridayyy! Link in my sexy… 
