Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr recently shared her experiences after moving to the United States. She spoke about the challenges she is currently facing.
In a Substack post titled “I’m not scared, I promise,” the “Rush” crooner opened up. She recently moved from Lagos to New York. This followed a management deal with Roc Nation. Ayra Starr discussed loneliness, harsh weather, and moments of doubt.
Navigating Life in New York
Describing her new surroundings, Ayra Starr noted her apartment felt “almost empty.” She compared New York to “a walk-in freezer.”
The singer stated the intense cold was mentally draining. It often made her question her decision to relocate.
She wrote about the severe cold. “It feels like the city is actively trying to unalive my motivation,” she explained. “It’s the kind of cold that makes you realise happiness was just a summer hallucination.”
Ayra Starr confessed to struggling with regret sometimes. She noted she would typically be enjoying Nigeria’s festive “Detty December” season. This would be with friends and other Nigerians. Instead, she is facing solitude in New York.
Despite these feelings, Ayra Starr described her move differently. She called it a “rebellious risk.” It was a choice she made for her career.
The experience has also brought her into a new phase. She calls this her “nobody gets me era.” This means she no longer feels pressured to constantly prove herself to others.
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