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Today, Foremost Nigerian DJ, DJ Big N drops a new single with accompanying visuals featuring Afrofusion singer/songwriters, Ayra Starr, and Oxlade titled, ‘How Many Times,’ which is out now via Mavin Records/ UnitedMasters. “How Many Times is meant to celebrate love and how it should be cherished, chased, and celebrated,” DJ Big N says.
In the video directed by Perliksdefinition, Oxlade and DJ Big N are first seen walking around the salon greeting friends. Oxlade sings into the phone, “Ebelebe, this your body e dey make me feel..”. The scene sweeps you away to the nostalgic memories that folks share of spending hours in the salon socializing, getting done up, and relishing in the comfort of their community. The visual cuts to Ayra who is stationed in a sports bar. Her friend hands her the phone and she sings,”I think I’ve heard it all before..”
Oxlade in a salon and Ayra Starr in a sports bar are meant to exemplify girl power, “when people listen to this, I want men to go chase the woman of their dreams and I want women to feel liberated enough to ask for what they want,” DJ Big N says.
At only 20 years old, Ayra Starr has already resulted in over 820 million streams worldwide and over 460 million views on YouTube. In September 2022 her hit single, ‘Rush,’ went viral on TikTok, and the song was ranked in YouTube’s Top 30 Music Videos for three consecutive months. ‘Rush’ also became Ayra Starr’s first solo UK No.1 on the Afrobeats chart. ‘How Many Times,’ stays true to her unique blend of Afropop, R&B and soul. The single also hammers home her message of living life on your own terms. “I really enjoyed working with DJ Big N and Oxlade,” Ayra said, “I’m looking forward to more collaborations with them and I can’t wait to see people dancing to ‘How Many Times’ all summer.”
About Ayra Starr
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr is a Beninese-born Nigerian singer. After covering several songs by popular artists on Instagram, she posted her first original song on her page in December 2019. This brought her to the attention of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to his record label Mavin Records.
In early 2021, Ayra Starr achieved mainstream recognition with her eponymous debut extended play and it’s hit track “Away”, which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart; the song also peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart, paving the way for the release of her first full-length mixtape, 19 & Dangerous (2021). Categorized mainly as Afropop and R&B, the mixtape received favorable critical reception and spawned two top forty hits in Nigeria. The lead single “Bloody Samaritan” peaked atop the Top 50 chart, becoming the first solo song by a female artist to reach the number-one position. Starr debuted on Pandora Predictions chart, and on 28 August 2021, was ranked number three on Billboard’s Next Big Sound
Ayra Starr would later achieve mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her song “Rush”. The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at Number 36.
With the song, Ayra Starr became the Youngest African Female Artist to surpass 100 Million views on a single video on YouTube, and also the first to do so within 5 months. She also set a new record by becoming the only Nigerian female artist to have charted a solo song on UK official Singles Chart.
About DJ Big N
Born Nonso Temisan Ajufo, DJ Big N is one of Nigeria’s best and most influential disc jockeys. With his imprint on Afrobeats dating over a decade old, DJ Big N is one of the scene’s most respected and decorated acts. Starting off his career in the UK – playing at local clubs in the West Midlands, and later guest playing in some of Coventry’s biggest clubs, all culminating in his performance at the Nigerian Independence in Coventry in 2009, DJ Big N was destined to keep the party going and make music that excites.
Before joining Mavin Records in 2014 as Dr Sid’s official DJ, and later the Label’s, DJ Big N had already collaborated with acts like Kool and the Gang, Maxi Priest, Dru Hill, Billy Ocean and Joe. In the same year, he would be the official DJ for the Nigerian Centenary event in Abuja in January, the Ja Rule and Ashanti show which was held in Lagos in October 2014, and eventually for the Mavin UK tour. He also was the official DJ for Tiwa Savage’s first American Tour, and in 2022, he traveled the world with Rema for his Rave and Roses Tour.
DJ Big N’s skills extend beyond the turntable. He is the hand and ears behind some of Afrobeats best mixtapes. He has also engaged in high profile music collaborations with stars like Wizkid, Kizz Daniel, Rema, Mr. Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, and Burna Boy.
About UnitedMasters
Launched in 2017 by Translation founder and music industry veteran Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters provides a new industry alternative for independent artists. UnitedMasters gives artists access to premium music distribution services, a suite of tools to help them directly connect with fans, and opportunities for unique partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands. The UnitedMasters platform enables artists to operationalize their independence and maximize their creative and economic potential while allowing them to maintain full ownership over their master recording rights.