Ayra Starr talks with Rolling Stone’s Delisa Shannon at the 2024 GRAMMYs.
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00:00 You look good. You look good. You look good. You look good. Makeup, hair, outfits, girl.
00:08 That means a lot coming from the savvy girl. Like the camera wasn't rolling but they were just
00:14 yelling it as you were walking up. I need to know what is your declassified guide to being
00:20 a savvy girl? Like how do I get like you? You just have to believe in yourself, do things your way,
00:26 and don't give up. That's what a savvy girl is. Like I said, commitment to excellence. You have
00:31 to have a commitment to excellence. So when did you feel like you became that girl? Like how did
00:38 you know? Or have you just always been in the know? I've always been that girl. Always. I can
00:44 tell. It's the air, it's the energy. So what keeps you grounded? I mean obviously African music is
00:50 having a huge moment right now. Afro-boots, Afro-fusion, Afro-pop. I mean mappiano everywhere.
00:55 The diaspora is up. But how do you keep grounded in these moments when you're getting to be a part
01:00 of such history? My family. My family keeps me grounded. They don't really care too much about
01:06 all of this. When I'm home I still have to do all my chores, let me tell you. So my family, God,
01:12 definitely. My friends and myself. I keep myself grounded. I always just take a deep breath in.
01:18 Remember to be present in every single situation I'm in. So yeah. What's that, like what steps do
01:24 you take to remain present? I need to, I feel like I need to follow your lead. So if you could talk
01:30 to any people who need to get this message, how do you remain present? How to remain present?
01:35 Like I said, take a deep breath in. Every time you start to feel like it's too much, just take
01:40 a deep breath in. Remember it's okay to make mistakes. Once you know it's okay to make mistakes,
01:46 you become unstoppable. I always say this, don't let the fear of being something imperfectly
01:51 prevent you from being anything at all, girl. I needed that word today. Thank you.
01:57 So before we get out of here, I need to know what is a timeless album for you? What is that
02:03 album that you're going to put on repeat time and time again? Rihanna and Ty for live. I mean,
02:09 that was easy. You had that right on the cuff, just ready to go. Yes. What is it about that
02:14 album? What is it about Rihanna? Because I love Rihanna. Rihanna is like my greatest inspiration.
02:19 That is my woman. That's my matriarch. Okay. That is my queen. But yeah, like the album is just
02:26 timeless. From the music, every single thing, you know, she has every single sound. Like,
02:29 she's unstoppable. That album, I listen to it. Like, I feel like the more I listen to it,
02:33 the more I understand it. And yeah, it's just, I love it so much. Has there been anything that you
02:37 learned through watching her journey that you try to implement and bring into your practice?
02:42 Being myself, understanding myself, whatever works for me. Some things don't work for me,
02:48 it's fine. If it works for me, it's fine. I'm just going to be myself in every single situation.
02:52 And I'm okay with that. I mean, when you, when you working with this, you okay with it, baby.
02:57 With the A, y'all see it. All right. You have fun tonight. I hope to see you somewhere.
03:03 Thank you. Yes. We gotta celebrate. We're going "Ehh." We're going "Ehh." You are sick.
03:11 Thank you so much.
03:12 (whooshing)