Ayra Starr probably just wanted to enjoy her day, shake a little waist, and move on with life. But the internet had other plans. A short clip of her dancing to Pxy Drip (I’m Back) by Naira Marley hit social media, and suddenly, she was at the center of a controversy she didn’t see coming.
On Thursday Ayrra posted a video of herself vibing to Pxy Drip (I’m Back) by none other than Naira Marley. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal. People dance to music all the time. But if you’ve been on the internet long enough, you know that Naira Marley is a name that divides opinions. Ever since the tragic passing of his former signee, Mohbad, in 2023, his reputation has been in shambles. Accusations of bullying and cyberstalking swirled around him, leading to a mass boycott of his music and a campaign to erase him from the Nigerian entertainment scene.
So, when Ayra Starr, one of Afrobeats’ biggest stars was seen enjoying his song, the street of social media went mad. Fans felt betrayed, with some dragging her for “supporting” someone they had collectively agreed to cancel. Others even called for her cancellation, accusing her of undoing months of work that had gone into shunning Marley and his music.
“We all know dancing to Naira Marley songs means you don’t care about Mohbad, if she didn’t post the video sef it would have been different. Ayra Starr no try at all” – Grace @LightSkinnedGirl on X
But as with all online dramas, not everyone was on the same page. A section of social media users rolled their eyes at the outrage, pointing out that music is music, and enjoying a song doesn’t mean you co-sign the artist’s past actions. Others highlighted how selective cancel culture can be, noting that many of the same people bashing Ayra still secretly listen to Naira Marley’s songs in the comfort of their rooms.
Then, just when things seemed to be settling, Naira Marley himself stepped in. Instead of letting Ayra take all the heat, he defended her, telling critics to direct their anger at him instead.” Cry in peace, leave her alone, and cancel me again” To prove that she wasn’t alone in enjoying his music, he even posted clips of other celebrities, including Regina Daniels, vibing to his song. A few days ago iNaijanow posted a video of the soapy crooner grooving to the popular soapy dance in a bid for a comeback.
The whole drama has morphed into a heated social media debate about separating the art from the artist. Should Ayra be held accountable for simply listening to a song? Should music even be included in cancel culture? And more importantly, does cancel culture work, or is it just social media’s favorite pastime?
For Ayra Starr, this was probably just another day in the life of a superstar. She danced, the internet raged, and by next week, the timeline will likely have moved on to the next big scandal. Social media is a jungle, and every move a celebrity makes is up for public judgment.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or opinions of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information. Abisola Ige is a seasoned content writer with experience in crafting engaging and quality articles across various niches. She is passionate about creating impactful content that informs and inspires readers.
