Ayra Starr has envisioned performing at Tiny Desk since the age of 14. To mark the occasion, the artist chose to pivot from her elaborate “Fashion Killer” aesthetic, opting instead for a simple black sweatsuit. This minimalist choice ensured that the spotlight remained firmly on her commanding stage presence and her signature deep-toned vocals, honoring the raw, intimate spirit of the platform.
Drawing strength from her Nigerian heritage, Starr and her ensemble delivered a meticulously balanced performance. The set traversed a diverse sonic landscape, blending Afro-fusion grooves with ethereal soundscapes and high-energy rhythms—a testament to the versatility that has established her as a leading voice in global pop. The energy peaked with a sultry sequence of tracks, including “Gimme Dat,” “Who’s Dat Girl,” and a preview of the unreleased “Tornado” from her upcoming project, Starrgirl.
Closing the set, Starr transitioned into a more reflective space. Through “Amin” and “Orun,” she revealed the vulnerability beneath her polished pop persona, utilizing these faith-driven records to express gratitude for her journey and her aspirations for the future.
SET LIST
- “Birds Sing of Money”
- “Gimme That”
- “Who’s Dat Girl”
- “Tornado”
- “Rush”
- “Commas”
- “Amen”
- “Neck”
MUSICIANS
- Ayra Starr: vocals
- Vin Landolfi: guitar
- Gabe Bennett: drums
- Philip Cornish: keys
- James Bratten Jr.: bass
- Dominique Treadwell: background vocals
- Elyscia: background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Alanté Serene
- Director: Maia Stern
- Audio Engineer/Mix: Josephine Nyounai
- Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
- Video Editor: Joshua Bryant
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant
- Audio Engineer: Tiffany Vera Castro
- Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Photographer: Michael Zamora
- Tiny Desk Team: Josh Newell, Felix Contreras
- Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
- Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
- Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton