Nigerian music sensation, Ayra Starr, has found herself in the eye of the storm once again, after a new video of her explaining her controversial handshake with legendary juju musician, King Sunny Ade, surfaced online.
The Mavin star, who recently apologized for ‘disrespecting’ the veteran singer at the Afrozons Pre-Grammy party, organized by Heineken in Lagos, claimed that it was an honest mistake, as she could not see clearly in the dark.
It was an honest mistake, literally, it was dark. I went back to greet everybody and the video started after I greeted Mama Burna Boy, and that short clip wasn’t what it was at all. When they told me it was King Sunny Ade, I went back to greet him properly but the camera didn’t capture that,” she said.
In the video, which has gone viral on social media, Ayra Starr said that she had already greeted Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, before the clip was recorded, and that she went back to greet King Sunny Ade properly, after she was informed of his presence.
However, her explanation did not sit well with many Nigerians, who accused her of lying and being rude to the respected icon, who received a prestigious award at the event.
Some compared her to Wizkid, who prostrated to greet King Sunny Ade in the past, and praised him for his humility and culture.
Others defended her, saying that she was nervous and overwhelmed by the occasion, and that she meant no harm to the septuagenarian singer.
Ayra Starr, who is nominated for the 66th Recording Academy Awards, also known as the Grammys, in the Best African Music Performance category, has not responded to the latest backlash.
What do you think of Ayra Starr’s explanation? Do you believe her or not? Let us know in the comments section below.