Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Ayra Starr has issued an apology after facing criticism for seemingly disrespecting veteran juju singer King Sunny Ade at a recent event.
A trending online video captured the moment she casually shook hands with the music legend while paying pleasantries to guests at the event.
However, her gesture was perceived as inadequate by many on social media, who criticized her for not showing proper respect to KSA, with some labeling her as an uncultured Nigerian lady.
According to her critics, the 21-year-old singer should have knelt down to greet the 77-year-old veteran singer like a proper Yoruba girl.
Watch the video below,
[videopress MPQHM5uX]
In response to the backlash, Ayra Starr has now apologized to King Sunny Ade and anyone offended by the incident.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Saturday morning, January 27, the Mavin Records signee explained that the lights and nerves at the event made it difficult for her to see who she was greeting.
She acknowledged her mistake and expressed regret, emphasizing that she never intended to be disrespectful to King Sunny Ade, whom she described as “uncle”.
Writing further, Ayra Starr emphasized her Yoruba heritage and clarified that the video started after she had already greeted Burna Boy’s mom, Bose Ogulu.
She tweeted,
“I’m so sorry , I had just walked in and all the lights and nerves didn’t let me see but i came back around to greet everyone properly, I have never been that girl to be disrespectful, I’m a proper Yoruba girlllll and the video didn’t start until after I’d greeted burna’s mom ! I’m very sorry to the legend, uncle and King Sunny Ade.”
See her apology below,
