Mavin Records Global Superstar Ayra Starr Shares The Priceless Career Impact Lesson She Learnt From Wizkid

Working with a legend can be career-defining. Working with one and walking away transformed is an elevating moment and Ayra Starr knows it well.

At an intimate Grammy Museum spotlight in Brooklyn, the Afropop sensation pulled back the curtain on one of the most valuable lessons she’s learned in her meteoric rise: confidence doesn’t have to be loud. And that lesson, she revealed, came straight from Afrobeats royalty—Wizkid.

Fresh off her second Grammy nomination, the MAVIN star spoke candidly during A New York Evening With Ayra Starr, describing the calm, effortless presence of the Starboy as nothing short of eye-opening.

“Wizkid is a legend. We all know that. He is a living legend,” she told the audience, drawing warm applause.

Recalling their early studio sessions, Ayra admitted she was initially starstruck. But it was Wizkid’s demeanor—not his fame—that left the deepest impression.

“The first time I worked with him, I couldn’t believe it. Then the second time, he came to my set and he was just so cool, so calm, so relaxed,” she said. “He made me understand that confidence is not noise. He’s very calm as a human being and very confident in his mission in life—and that taught me a lot.”

The evening doubled as a celebration of Ayra Starr’s 2026 Grammy nomination, where she’s up for Best African Music Performance for ‘Gimme Dat’, her electrifying collaboration with Wizkid. It marks her second recognition from the Recording Academy, following her groundbreaking nomination for ‘Rush’ at the 66th Grammys.

Beyond awards, Ayra and Wizkid’s creative partnership has quietly evolved into one of Afropop’s most impactful collaborations. It all began with ‘2 Sugar’, the silky fan-favorite from Wizkid’s More Love, Less Ego (2022), which debuted at No. 1 on the TurnTable Top 100.

Now, ‘Gimme Dat’ has taken that legacy even further—earning Grammy recognition and dominating playlists across the continent. Together, Ayra Starr and Wizkid continue to prove that when generational talent meets quiet confidence, the results speak for themselves.