Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has made her debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, performing five songs and giving fans the first live performance of her unreleased track, ‘Tornado’.
The performance was released on NPR Music’s YouTube channel as part of the platform’s 2026 Black Music Month series. The programme celebrates the influence of BET and features artists from different generations.
Ayra Starr opened her set with ‘Gimme Dat’ before performing ‘Who’s Dat Girl’. She then introduced ‘Tornado’, a song from her forthcoming album, Starrgirl. The performance marked the first time fans heard the track ahead of its official release.
The singer later performed ‘Amin’ and ‘Orun’, ending the set with songs that reflected a more personal and reflective side of her music.
Ahead of the appearance, Ayra Starr had spoken about her long-standing desire to perform on the Tiny Desk stage. For the concert, she appeared in a simple black outfit, placing the focus on the music and vocals.
Starrgirl, Ayra Starr’s third studio album, is due for release on August 14 through Mavin Records. The project follows a series of singles, including ‘Gimme Dat’ featuring Wizkid, ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ with Rema and ‘Where Do We Go’, which was released earlier this year.
‘Tornado’ is expected to be released as a single this Friday, with the Tiny Desk performance serving as its first public showcase.
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series has been running since 2008 and is known for its intimate live performances recorded at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Ayra Starr joins a growing list of Nigerian artists to appear on the platform.
Ademide Adebayo
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