Ayra Starr seems to be to Nigeria what Tyla is to South Africa; the two female multi-talented musical icons have been making waves on the global scene. It could be fascinating to compare the duo. While they are often compared to each other, Ayra Starr and Tyla are two distinct artists with their own unique sounds and perspectives, but they certainly have some things in common, maybe coincidentally.
Tyla asserted this fact when she expressed her delight at collaborating with Ayra Starr on their single “Girl Next Door.” Tyla said in a press release, “I absolutely loved working with Ayra Starr on our new single, ‘Girl Next Door’.“ She’s such a talented artist, and I feel like our energies really came together to create something special. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”
Early life and how they rose to fame
Ayra Starr, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, is a talented Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, Ayra began her journey in the entertainment industry as a model at the age of 16. However, her passion for music eventually led her to shift her focus entirely to singing. She gained recognition in the music industry after sharing her personal songs on Instagram, where she repeatedly showcased her renditions of popular tracks by already established artists. It was through this platform that she caught the attention of Don Jazzy, was signed to Mavin Records in 2021, and quickly rose to fame with her hit single “Bloody Samaritan.” Ayra Starr’s music is a mix of Afropop, R&B, and alternative soul. She is known for her powerful vocals, her catchy melodies, and her honest and unapologetic lyrics.
Tyla Laura Seethal, professionally known as Tyla, was born into a coloured family of Zulu, Indian, Mauritian, and Irish descent in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city and capital of Gauteng province, on January 30, 2002. The singer and songwriter released her debut single in 2019 titled “Getting Late,” where she featured Kooldrink. She got signed with Epic Records in 2021 and that became a propellant in her music career. Tyla rose to international stardom when she released her 2023 single “Water,” which secured the top ten in sixteen countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
Hit songs and awards
Both Ayra Star and Tyla are laying their marks on the global music scene, chiefly with their crafts. In their own unique ways, they have captivated the hearts of music lovers across the globe, building both their brands and fanbases concurrently and most importantly, at a global level.
While Ayra Star has garnered enormous love and admiration from her fans since her emergence into the spotlight, Tyla, who is barely a year in the industry, has received almost equal to what her Nigerian counterpart has been enjoying, despite trolls describing her as an industry implant because of the speed with which she rose to prominence and immediately won a Grammy award, beating Ayra Star, who was among other artists nominated in the same category as her.
Tyla has also won two other awards, including the African Entertainment Awards USA for Best Female Artist (2023) and the South African Style Awards for Most Stylish Performing Artist (2024), amidst other unclaimed nominations. Her hit songs “Water,” “Truth or Dare,” and “Girl Next Door,” featuring Ayra Star, present her as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
On her part, Ayra Starr is credited with a successful music album, “19 & Dangerous,” which was released in 2021. Prior to the album release, the singer had published a commercially successful self-named extended play (EP) “Ayra Starr,” which gave her an edge in the industry. She also has several hit songs, including Bloody Samaritan, rhythm and blues, Rush, Fashion Killer, Sability, and the most recent, Commas.
She has worked with various heavyweights in the industry locally and internationally, gaining her an exclusive spot and portraying herself as yet another force to be reckoned with. Ayra Star has received over a dozen music award nominations and won just two, including Net Honours’ Breakout Artist of the Year for female category (2021) and the Headies 2021 awards for Headies’ Viewer’s Choice with her earlier hit song, Bloody Samaritan.
While these two artists possess their unique identities and are good in their own ways, the comparison between the booth of them by fans is always fascinating. Do you also think one is better than the other? And who could that be?
