Ayra Starr Makes US TV Debut With Performance of “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Woman Commando”
Ayra Starr continues her meteoric rise with a stellar U.S. TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Ayra Starr has collaborated with Chris Brown and Cold Play’s Chris Martin this year.
Ayra Starr has had an incredible year, and 2024 is far from over. She opened for Chris Brown’s 11:11 tour, collaborated with the inimitable Chris Martin of Coldplay, linked up with Will Smith, and made her Glastonbury debut, among other achievements.
Last night, she made her U.S. TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, delivering a stellar performance of “Last Heartbreak Song,” featuring Giveon on the original track, and “Woman Commando.” Starr has also teased that the forthcoming music video for “Woman Commando” might be directed by Taylor Swift.
Both songs performed last night are from Starr’s sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, which debuted at No. 195 on the Billboard 200 chart in May. The accomplishment marked a significant milestone for contemporary Nigerian female artists on the global music stage.
Starr first captured widespread attention with her 2021 single “Away” which peaked on Nigeria’s Turntable Top 50 chart. This success was followed by notable singles such as “Bloody Samaritan," "Rush" and “Commas.” Her silky, powerful voice has also shone in some of Nigeria’s most prominent duets in recent years, including “Beggi Beggi” with CKay, “Love Don’t Cost a Dime” with Magixx, “Ngozi” with Crayon, “2 Sugar” with global superstar Wizkid, and most recently, “Last Heartbreak Song” with Giveon.
What’s next for the Nigerian sensation taking the world by storm? You can catch her in person today in New York at her Mobstarrs CD signing and meet and greet. She will also be performing at various shows throughout the rest of the year.
Watch Ayra Starr’s Jimmy Fallon debut below:
Ayra Starr: Last Heartbreak Song/Woman Commando | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The Best West African Songs of 2024
This year’s list features emerging talents and an uptick in artists reaching to the past to create new sounds.
With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry
As “Sade” turns 10, we take a look at how Adekunle Gold provided an alternative template to being a Nigerian superstar by making music with soul and commercial merits.