| The Year I Turned 21 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 May 2024 (2024-05-31) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:24 | |||
| Label | Mavin | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Ayra Starr chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Year I Turned 21 | ||||
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The Year I Turn 21 is the second studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriterAyra Starr. It was released throughMavin Records on 31 May 2024. The album contains guest appearances fromAsake,Anitta,Coco Jones,Giveon,Seyi Vibez,Rvssian, andRauw Alejandro. It serves as the follow-up to her previous album,19 & Dangerous (2021). The album debuted at number one in Nigeria.
Ayra Starr announced the title of her second studio album, "The Year I Turned 21", on 2 May 2024, along with its cover art and tracklist.[1][2] The album was conceived during a period of personal growth and introspection.[3] In an interview withBillboard, Starr revealed that the album was inspired by her experiences navigating adulthood, love, and self-discovery.[4] The album was recorded over several months in 2022 and 2023, with production credits from notable producers such asLondon,Johnny Drille, andP.Priime.[5] Starr drew inspiration fromAfrobeats,R&B, andpop to create a unique sound reflecting her artistic evolution.[6] The title "The Year I Turned 21" holds personal significance, as Starr turned 21 during the recording process.[7] In an interview withUproxx, she explained that the title represents a milestone birthday that marked a turning point in her life and career.[8] The album was released on 31 May 2024 throughMavin Records.[9] She stated in an interview withtriple J that she grew inspiration from the grief she felt about losing her father, and on how she has never touched that kind of perspective before.
The single "Rhythm and Blues" was released on 13 September 2023 as the first single from the album.[10] Later, "Commas" was released on 2 February 2024, as the second single.[11]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[12] |
| The Guardian |   [13] |
| NME | [14] |
| The Native | 8.1/10[15] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[16] |
| Pulse Nigeria | 9.1/10[17] |
Tamil Makinde ofNME stated that "Starr confidently blends genres, segueing from romantic deep cuts to emotional odes about her roots, produced by the likes of Louddaaa. She weaves a narrative thread through a collage of sounds with adept storytelling. In tracks like "Lagos Love Story", she flirts with reckless romance, while in "Last Heartbreak Song", an R&B-powered duet with Giveon, she finds the strength to move on. In "The Kids Are Alright", she weaves intergenerational conversations, and each track radiates a clear vision".[14] Kadish Morris ofThe Guardian gave the album 4/5 stars, praising Starr's vocal range and experimentation with various sounds and cadences, stating: "Here, she puts that big voice to work.[13] Adeayo Adebiyi ofPulse Nigeria gave the album a 9.1/10 rating, stating that "The Year I Turned 21" is an accomplished sophomore effort that excels in all aspects, showcasing Ayra Starr's confidence and superior talent.[17]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bird Sing of Money" | Oyinkansola Sarah Aderigbigbe |
|
| 2:42 |
| 2. | "Goodbye (Warm Up)" (withAsake) |
|
| P2J | 2:43 |
| 3. | "Commas" |
|
| 2:37 | |
| 4. | "Woman Commando" (withAnitta andCoco Jones) |
|
| Ragee | 3:28 |
| 5. | "Control" |
|
|
| 2:33 |
| 6. | "Lagos Love Story" | S. Aderigbigbe |
|
| 2:35 |
| 7. | "Rhythm & Blues" | O. S. Aderigbigbe |
| Sparrq | 2:23 |
| 8. | "21" |
|
|
| 2:22 |
| 9. | "Last Heartbreak Song" (withGiveon) |
|
| Louddaaa | 2:29 |
| 10. | "Bad Vibes" (withSeyi Vibez) |
|
|
| 2:48 |
| 11. | "Orun" |
|
|
| 2:37 |
| 12. | "Jazzy's Song" |
|
| P.Priime | 2:14 |
| 13. | "1942" (with Milar) |
|
| Johnny Drille | 2:26 |
| 14. | "The Kids Are Alright" | S. Aderigbigbe |
| Remdolla | 3:14 |
| 15. | "Santa" (withRauw Alejandro andRvssian) |
|
|
| 3:13 |
| Total length: | 40:24 | ||||
Note
Musicians
| Technical
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| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Entertainment Awards USA | 2024 | Album of the Year | Nominated | [18] |
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[19] | 89 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[20] | 72 |
| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[21] | 1 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 80 |
| USBillboard 200[23] | 195 |
| USWorld Albums (Billboard)[24] | 4 |