Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has been reflecting on her whirlwind experience touring with British band Coldplay across different continents.
In a recent interview with Capital Xtra radio in the UK, the 22-year-old singer shared how varied the reception has been depending on the region. “Australia was fine. They loved Ayra,” she said with a smile. “But then we went to America, in the Midwest, and they’ve never heard of me before in their lives.”
Ayra Starr, who rose to global prominence with hits like Rush and Bloody Samaritan, joined Coldplay earlier this year as part of their Music of the Spheres world tour. The collaboration gave her the opportunity to perform before massive international crowds and introduce her sound to audiences who may not have encountered Afrobeats before.
While the Midwest experience may have been humbling, Ayra Starr’s tour moments highlight the growing reach of African music on global stages. She has become one of the young artists championing Afrobeats’ expansion beyond Africa, Europe, and the UK into new territories, proving that even in places where her name is not yet familiar, the music is beginning to travel.