The Year I Turn 21 is the second studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr. It was released through Mavin Records on 31 May 2024. The album contains guest appearances from Asake, Anitta, Coco Jones, Giveon, Seyi Vibez, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro. It serves as the follow-up to her previous album, 19 & Dangerous (2021). The album debuted at number one in Nigeria.
| The Year I Turned 21 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 May 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:24 | |||
| Label | Mavin | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Ayra Starr chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Year I Turned 21 | ||||
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Background and release
editAyra Starr announced the title of her second studio album, "The Year I Turned 21", on 2 May 2024, along with its cover art and tracklist.[1][2] The album was conceived during a period of personal growth and introspection.[3] In an interview with Billboard, Starr revealed that the album was inspired by her experiences navigating adulthood, love, and self-discovery.[4] The album was recorded over several months in 2022 and 2023, with production credits from notable producers such as London, Johnny Drille, and P.Priime.[5] Starr drew inspiration from Afrobeats, R&B, and pop to create a unique sound reflecting her artistic evolution.[6] The title "The Year I Turned 21" holds personal significance, as Starr turned 21 during the recording process.[7] In an interview with Uproxx, she explained that the title represents a milestone birthday that marked a turning point in her life and career.[8] The album was released on 31 May 2024 through Mavin Records.[9]
Singles
editThe single "Rhythm and Blues" was released on 13 September 2023 as the first single from the album.[10] Later, "Commas" was released on February 2, 2024, as the second single.[11]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[12] |
| The Guardian | [13] |
| NME | [14] |
| The Native | 8.1/10[15] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[16] |
| Pulse Nigeria | 9.1/10[17] |
Tamil Makinde of NME stated that "Starr confidently blends genres, segueing from romantic deep cuts to emotional odes about her roots, produced by the likes of Louddaaa. She weaves a narrative thread through a collage of sounds with adept storytelling. In tracks like "Lagos Love Story", she flirts with reckless romance, while in "Last Heartbreak Song", an R&B-powered duet with Giveon, she finds the strength to move on. In "The Kids Are Alright", she weaves intergenerational conversations, and each track radiates a clear vision".[14] Kadish Morris of The Guardian gave the album 4/5 stars, praising Starr's vocal range and experimentation with various sounds and cadences, stating: "Here, she puts that big voice to work.[13] Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria gave the album a 9.1/10 rating, stating that "The Year I Turned 21" is an accomplished sophomore effort that excels in all aspects, showcasing Ayra Starr's confidence and superior talent.[17]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bird Sing of Money" | Oyinkansola Sarah Aderigbigbe |
|
| 2:42 |
| 2. | "Goodbye (Warm Up)" (with Asake) |
|
| P2J | 2:43 |
| 3. | "Commas" |
|
| 2:37 | |
| 4. | "Woman Commando" (with Anitta and Coco Jones) |
|
| Ragee | 3:28 |
| 5. | "Control" |
|
|
| 2:33 |
| 6. | "Lagos Love Story" | S. Aderigbigbe |
|
| 2:35 |
| 7. | "Rhythm & Blues" | O. S. Aderigbigbe |
| Sparrq | 2:23 |
| 8. | "21" |
|
|
| 2:22 |
| 9. | "Last Heartbreak Song" (with Giveon) |
|
| Louddaaa | 2:29 |
| 10. | "Bad Vibes" (with Seyi Vibez) |
|
|
| 2:48 |
| 11. | "Orun" |
|
|
| 2:37 |
| 12. | "Jazzy's Song" |
|
| P.Priime | 2:14 |
| 13. | "1942" (with Milar) |
|
| Johnny Drille | 2:26 |
| 14. | "The Kids Are Alright" | S. Aderigbigbe |
| Remdolla | 3:14 |
| 15. | "Santa" (with Rauw Alejandro and Rvssian) |
|
|
| 3:13 |
| Total length: | 40:24 | ||||
Note
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer
Personnel
edit|
Musicians
|
Technical
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Accolades
edit| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Entertainment Awards USA | 2024 | Album of the Year | Nominated | [18] |
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[19] | 89 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[20] | 72 |
| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[21] | 1 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 80 |
| US Billboard 200[23] | 195 |
| US World Albums (Billboard)[24] | 4 |
References
edit- ^ Victory, Orimemi (2 May 2024). "Ayra Starr announces second album 'The Year I Turned 21'". TheCable. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ (anonymous) (2 May 2024). "Ayra Starr Releases Artwork, Track List For 'Sophomore Album'". Media Trust. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Stephanie, Sengwe (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr Says New Album Is Rollercoaster Of Emotions". People. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Heran, Mamo (30 May 2024). "Ayra Starr Talks Sophomore Album 'The Year I Turned 21". Billboard. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Bisi, Ademola (1 June 2024). "The Year I Turned 21 By Ayra Starr: Not 19 But Still Dangerous". African Folder. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Peter, Okhide (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr Talks New Album, inspiration, and Artistic Growth". NotJustOk. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Bella, Naija (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr's "The Year I Turned 21" is a Coming-of-Age Album". BellaNaija. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Wongo, Okon (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr Interview: 'The Year I Turned 21' & Stardom". Uproxx. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Zachary, Horvath (2 June 2024). "Ayra Starr Releases Her "Coming-Of-Age Album" "The Year I Turned 21"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Will, Schube (14 September 2023). "Ayra Starr Shares New Single 'Rhythm And Blues". UdisCover. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ BellaNaija (2 February 2024). "Ayra Starr Drops New Single "Commas"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Robin, Murray (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21 | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ a b Kadish, Morris (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr: The Year I Turned 21 review – magnetic Afrobeats". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ a b Tami, Makinde (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21 review: breathing new life into Afropop". NME. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Blossom, Maduafuka (31 May 2024). "Review: The Year I Turned 21 by Ayra Starr". The Native. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ Chokrane, Boutayna (6 June 2024). "Ayra Starr: The Year I Turned 21 Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ a b Adeayo, Adebeyi (31 May 2024). "Ayra Starr's The Year I Turned 21 is simply incredible [Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "African Entertainment Awards USA 2024: All the nominees". Music in Africa. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of June 15, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Top Albums". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Top 100 Albums: May 31st, 2024 - June 6th, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Week of June 15, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "World Albums: Week of June 15, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 11 June 2024.