Mavin Records star Ayra Starr brings French-Congolese artist Theodora into the fold on “Ms. Paper,” track eight off her third album “Starrgirl.”
The rollout for this one was strategic. A week before the album dropped, Ayra previewed “Ms. Paper” live on NBC’s Today Show, giving it a US television platform most Afrobeats singles never get. That kind of early exposure signals confidence, and the song backs it up. It sits right after “Hot Body,” marking a clear tonal shift into the album’s second act.
Lyrically, Ayra writes with money, attraction, and self-assurance all in the same breath. She presents a woman who knows her worth and refuses to let romance interrupt the life she is actively building. Theodora, known for her flamboyant Boss Lady persona in French pop, matches that same energy note for note. Neither artist needs to lean on the other. The pairing works because both women arrive already sure of themselves.
What makes this collaboration significant goes beyond the two voices. Theodora represents one of French pop’s fastest-rising African talents, and her inclusion widens “Starrgirl” into a genuinely borderless African diaspora project. It connects Lagos to Paris in a way few Afrobeats records attempt.
Two women, two industries, one shared attitude. Stream “Ms. Paper” and let us know in the comments – whose verse hits harder for you?
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