Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has shared a candid reflection on her early experiences in New York, weeks after relocating from Lagos following a management deal with Roc Nation.
In a Substack essay titled “I’m not scared, I promise,” the singer offered a personal account of adjusting to life in the American city, describing feelings of isolation and the harsh winter weather. Starr portrayed her new apartment as “almost empty” and likened New York to “a walk-in freezer,” noting that the cold has taken a toll on her mood and motivation.
The Rush crooner admitted that the transition has not been easy, revealing moments of self-doubt and second-guessing her decision to move. She reflected on missing Nigeria’s festive “Detty December” season, while navigating solitude far from home after taking what she described as a bold, rebellious leap in her career.
Despite the challenges, Starr suggested the experience marks a new phase of personal growth. She said she has entered what she called her “nobody gets me era,” adding that she is becoming less concerned about external validation and more focused on understanding herself.