In a recent sit-down with Capital XTRA, Ayra Starr blind-ranked her biggest hits and shared the stories, feelings, and cultural moments that shaped them. Before the ranking even started, she made one thing clear: these positions are not permanent. They reflect where she is right now, and can change depending on her mood and what she has been listening to lately.
With that in mind, here’s how it went.
The Ranking
Where Do We Go: Ranked #5
She placed it last not because it’s a bad song, but because it represents a more experimental direction for her, a sound she was exploring rather than fully embracing. Given how strong the rest of the list is, she felt it had to sit at the bottom. 
Who’s Dat Girl: Ranked #4
She loved this one deeply at a certain time. She described listening to it “back to back” for months. But she has moved on to new favorites, and for now it sits at four.
Hot Body: Ranked #3
She was very enthusiastic about Hot Body, calling it a strong personal favorite and admitting it would have been her number one if she hadn’t suspected the hosts were about to play other tracks further down the list, which is high praise wrapped in strategic thinking.
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Bloody Samaritan: Ranked #2
Ayra called it a “forever classic” without hesitation, and the story behind it is worth knowing. She wrote it at 18 or 19, during a period she described as feeling “angsty” and “dangerous”; not in a sad way, but in the sense of wanting to show her strength to the world. The song was inspired by a tweet she saw online, and from that frustration came one of her most iconic records.
She also said it marked a turning point in her relationship with music: the moment songwriting became therapy, a way to channel frustration and personal energy into something creative and lasting.
Rush: Ranked #1
No surprise, but the reason behind it is still worth knowing. Rush is her biggest solo hit, and she knows exactly what it did for her career. She credited it with pushing her toward what she calls “global superstar” status and spoke about it with genuine gratitude rather than just professional acknowledgment. It’s not number one because it’s her most personal song; it’s number one because of what it changed for her, and she is fully aware of that.
SEE ALSO: Did Ayra Starr Change Her Stylist?
Everything Else She Said
Beyond the ranking, her Capital XTRA session revealed a few details that give a fuller picture of Ayra Starr off-mic.
UK Collaboration: The UK artist she most wants to work with is rapper Dave.
Her go-to hairstyle: Ayra’s favorite hairstyle on herself is cornrows.
Regarding the gele on her album cover, she said it was a last-minute decision made the day before the shoot. She wanted the image to genuinely reflect her Yoruba culture and was specific about why. She wanted a young girl in Kwara State or Erin-ile to see the cover and feel seen. The gele was not just a styling choice; she described it as a crown.
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Then there was the winter story from New York, told with a self-awareness that makes her easy to like. When she moved to New York in winter, she packed only heels. Snow was on the ground. She slipped, tripped, and fell. Still, she wore heels to the studio every day. “Baddie mindset,” she said.
Ayra Starr continues to reveal new layers. What else don’t we know about the singer who refuses to be boxed in? We’ll keep finding out.
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