Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has discussed recovering from major surgery while preparing to release her new album, Starrgirl, highlighting the ambition and resilience that have driven her rapid rise. The interview also portrays her as humorous and self-assured, including her playful teasing of Stevie Wonder after he called to congratulate her on a Grammy nomination.

Starr was discovered through YouTube covers at 18 and has since become the first African woman to win the Mobo Award for best international act and the first Nigerian woman to exceed one billion YouTube video views. Her new album follows a move to New York and a management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, with collaborations including Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik and R&B singer KWN; she has also worked with artists including Coldplay, Tyla and David Guetta.