Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, the Nigerian songstress popularly known as Ayra Starr, has reacted to claims suggesting that her freedom might come with severe limitations under her new management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
eelive.ng understands that a rumor featuring a woman who claimed that Ayra Starr’s international record deal includes strict personal conditions, such as a five-year ban on dating or starting a family, started circulating on social media.
Speaking on an unnamed podcast, a host dropped what he called “insider” details of Ayra’s contract with Roc Nation, and let’s just say, it wasn’t what people expected.
They allegedly stipulated that Ayra Starr is not allowed to have a boyfriend during the five-year contract. She can’t choose collaborations without Roc Nation’s approval. She also can’t post on social media, dress, or speak in a way that goes against the label’s image.”
Reacting to the clip on X (formerly Twitter), the singer playfully quoted the post with a humorous comment, writing: “Does Ayra Starr know about this?”
Her witty response quickly went viral, with fans both amused by the bizarre claim and curious about the extent of creative and personal control major global labels might exert over young artists.
Meanwhile, singer recently became the first African artist to earn a Latin Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Her hit single “Santa,” a collaboration with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, achieved this milestone after surpassing 10 million units sold in the United States within the Latino market.
Interestingly, the RIAA Latin Diamond certification requires artists outside the Americas to sell over 10 million units of a song in America, with the song being sung in a mix of Spanish and English.
“Santa” a fusion of Afrobeats and Reggaeton, success extends beyond the US, with multiple Platinum certifications in Spain and Mexico. It topped the Spanish chart and peaked at No. 2 in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America.
Ayra Starr joins fellow Nigerian artist Rema as one of the only African artists with RIAA Latin certifications. Rema’s song “Bubalu” is certified Platinum.