Ayra Starr clapped back in the slickest way possible to a wild rumor that her Roc Nation deal bans her from dating, starting a family, or even picking her own outfits.
Afrobeats princess Ayra Starr is dismissing rumors that her Roc Nation management deal includes a “no boyfriend” clause.
Over the past few days, a viral video made the rounds on TikTok, Twitter/X, and Instagram claiming that the “Rush” singer’s contract with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has her locked down tighter than Fort Knox, which includes no dating, no starting a family, no music collabs without permission, and apparently, even her outfits and social media posts need label approval.
But in true Ayra fashion, the 22-year-old star clapped back with pure wit. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “Does Ayra Starr know about this?” followed by a repost that read, “Them lie on top your head for broad daylight.”
While the original video was clearly meant as satire, many fans took it seriously, sparking confusion and concern about whether Ayra was being controlled by her management team. Some even began speculating that she had ditched her Nigerian label, Mavin Records, entirely in favor of Roc Nation.
Let’s clear the air: Ayra Starr is still signed to Mavin Records and Universal Music Group, the same team that helped launch her career. Roc Nation didn’t replace them. Instead, the label, founded by Jay-Z, is managing her international career. Think brand deals, global bookings, and U.S. expansion. It’s a significant move, but not one that alters her essence.
As stated by Olabode Otolorin, a marketing executive at Mavin Records, this type of framework focuses on advancing an artist’s career, particularly when they are already experiencing success in their local market.
“It’s to help her grow in markets and places she hasn’t fully reached yet. Ayra is already a star in Africa, but deals like this are meant to push her into new regions like North America, Europe, and other parts of the world where there’s still room to grow,” he told TheNet.
And if anyone had doubts about her creative freedom, scroll through her Instagram. The bold fashion is still giving. Her collaborations are still fire, like her 2025 track “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid, which had both Afrobeats and R&B fans in a chokehold. Her tweets are still unfiltered and unapologetically Ayra.
