Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has described her collaboration with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik on ‘Heaven Baby’ as a dream come true, reflecting on how an aspiration she had as a schoolgirl eventually became a reality.
The song, featured on her new album Starrgirl, marked a significant moment for the singer, who said she had once spent her school days writing One Direction lyrics in her notebooks.
Ayra Starr said working with Malik felt surreal because of how distant the possibility of collaborating with him once seemed.
“I spent some of my school days writing their lyrics in my notebooks. Your dreams might seem so far away, but you just have to work towards them,” she said.
The collaboration became even more memorable when the Nigerian singer met Malik in person during the filming of the ‘Heaven Baby’ music video.
Ayra Starr said seeing and interacting with the former One Direction member during the shoot was both shocking and unforgettable, adding another dimension to an experience she had once only imagined.
The track appears on Starrgirl, Ayra Starr’s new album, which has continued to attract attention as the singer expands her profile internationally. The collaboration with Malik brings together the Nigerian Afrobeats star and the British singer, who rose to global prominence as a member of One Direction before pursuing a solo career.
Ayra Starr used the experience to encourage young people who have ambitions that may currently appear distant or difficult to achieve.
Ayra Starr’s comments come as she continues to build on her international career. The singer is also set to make her debut at the NFL London game halftime show, while Starrgirl has debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
