My Mother Used Music To Blackmail Me” – Ayra Starr

In a recent interview, Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr shared insights into her journey to fame, shedding light on the pivotal role her mother played in shaping her career trajectory. Ayra revealed that her mother’s guidance was instrumental in steering her towards a path in music, albeit with certain conditions attached.

Ayra Starr explained that while her mother wholeheartedly supported her musical ambitions, she also stressed the importance of completing her education first. This meant Ayra had to strike a balance between her passion for music and her commitment to academic pursuits.

The singer recounted her unique experience of beginning university at the tender age of 14. It was a critical juncture in her life where she had to make a crucial decision. Despite her desire to dive headfirst into a music career, Ayra understood her mother’s stance on prioritizing education. In Nigeria, most students typically complete secondary school around the ages of 15 or 16, she noted. Ayra, fueled by her aspirations to become a teenage pop sensation, realized that delaying her dreams any further could impede her progress.

With unwavering resolve, Ayra decided to take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, alongside her older brother. Though her aim wasn’t the most prestigious universities, her scores met her mother’s standards and secured her admission into a reputable institution for a three-year program in international relations.

Ayra fondly described her mother’s approach as a form of “blackmail,” leveraging music as a motivational tool. This included the family’s relocation from Benin Republic to Lagos, often referred to as “the land of music,” a suggestion Ayra initially resisted.

However, as time passed, Ayra came to appreciate her mother’s perspective. Following her graduation, she wholeheartedly pursued her passion for music, starting with online covers. Her unwavering dedication and perseverance eventually caught the attention of music labels, leading to her signing that same year.