Sability

"Sability"
Single by Ayra Starr
Released10 February 2023 (2023-02-10)
GenreAfro pop[1]
Length2:46
LabelMavin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)London
Ayra Starr singles chronology
"Rush"
(2022)
"Sability"
(2023)
"How Many Times"
(2023)
Music video
"Sability" on YouTube

"Sability" is a song by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr. It was released on 10 February 2023, and was written by Ayra Starr, her brother Dami, Mbryo, Louddaaa, Johnny Drille, London, and Prosper Udu.[2] The song was produced by London, and features a sample of Awilo Longomba's "Coupe Bibamba."[3] "Sability" was featured on Barack Obama's summer playlist in 2023.[4] It was included on OkayAfrica's list of the "Best Afrobeats Songs of 2023."[5]

Reception

Tela Wangeci of the Native described "Sability" as a confident and powerful anthem, highlighting her growth as an artist. She noted that the song, marked by a catchy hook and bold lyrics, reflects Ayra's self-assurance and her ability to dominate Afropop with her unique "Sabi" attitude. Wangeci concluded, "'Sability' is a potent reminder that we should have faith in our abilities, triumphs, and potential."[6]

Composition

Described by Ayra Starr herself as a "happy song,"[7] "Sability" blends a relaxed and upbeat vibe with her referencing figures like Japanese footballer Shinji Kagawa. The song's verses are delivered with a playful energy, while the hook, which incorporates a sample from Awilo Logomba's "Coupé Bibamba," adds a dynamic layer to the track. The Guardian noted that the hook contrasts with the overall tone of the song, potentially altering its intended effect.[8]

Music video

The music video for "Sability" was released on 19 February 2023. It was directed by Earthboi.[9]

Commercial performance

"Sability" debuted at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 on 21 February 2023, earning 3.42 million on-demand streams and 38.3 million in radio reach during its first tracking week. This marked Ayra Starr's fourth chart-topping entry on the Top 100, following "Bloody Samaritan," "Rush," and "Won Da Mo," solidifying her position as the only female artist with multiple No. 1 songs in Nigeria at the time.[10] In its second week, the song slipped to No. 2, overtaken by Bnxn's "Gwagwalada." Despite the dip, "Sability" remained a strong performer across streaming platforms, ranking No. 3 on the streaming chart with 2.36 million streams and achieving a radio reach of 42.6 million.[11]

By 15 March 2023, "Sability" had dropped to No. 5 after spending one week at the summit.[12] The song's decline continued in subsequent weeks, and by 29 March 2023, it had fallen to No. 7 on the chart.[13] By April, it exited the Top 10, concluding its chart run after a notable debut and consistent performances across both streaming and radio platforms.[14]

On 11 April 2024, Ayra Starr's track "Sability" reentered the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, taking the 47th spot. The song previously peaked at number 14, marking it as the sole entry on the chart for that week.[15]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart performance for "Asiwaju"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[16] 1
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[17] 14
UK Afrobeats Singles (OCC)[18] 2

Year-end charts

2023 year-end chart performance for "Sability"
Chart (2023) Position
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[19] 27

Certifications

Certifications for Sability
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Nigeria (TCSN)[20] Platinum 100,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (9 February 2023). "Ayra Starr returns with new single 'Sability'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  2. ^ Ojo, Samuel (10 February 2023). "Ayra Starr Samples Awilo Longomba on New Single 'Sability'". News Central TV. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. ^ Ngema, Zee (10 February 2023). "Ayra Starr Channels Her Inner E-Girl in New Single 'Sability'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  4. ^ Nelson, Dustin (21 July 2023). "See Barack Obama's 2023 summer playlist, featuring SZA, Janelle Monáe, Luke Combs, Ice Spice, and more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  5. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (7 December 2023). "The Best Afrobeats Songs of 2023". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  6. ^ Wangeci, Tela (14 February 2023). "Best New Music: Ayra Starr Embodies Ultra-Confidence on "Sability"". The Native. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  7. ^ Shumba, Ano (10 February 2023). "Ayra Starr releases Sability single". Music in Africa. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  8. ^ Ihekire, Chinonso (11 February 2023). "Ayra Starr returns with Sability". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  9. ^ Okhide, Peter (19 February 2023). "Ayra Starr Delivers Colorful Video For 'Sability'". NotJustOk. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  10. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (21 February 2023). "Ayra Starr's "Sability" Debuts at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, Khaid's "Jolie" Rises to No. 7". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  11. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (7 March 2023). "BNXN's "Gwagwalada" with Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez Spends a Second Week at No. 1, Omah Lay's "soso" Returns to its No. 2 Peak". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  12. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (15 March 2023). "BNXN fka Buju's "Gwagwalada" Spends a Third Week at No. 1, Spyro's "Who is Your Guy? (Remix)" with Tiwa Savage Jumps to No. 4". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  13. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (29 March 2023). "Adekunle Gold's "Party No Dey Stop" with Zinoleesky is No. 1 on This Week's Nigeria Top 100, Tiwa Savage's "Stamina" with Young Jonn & Ayra Moves to No. 4". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  14. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (3 April 2023). "Adekunle Gold's "Party No Dey Stop" with Zinoleesky Spends a Sceond Week at No. 1, "Declan Rice" by Odumodublvck Starts at No. 8". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  15. ^ Clifford, Elizabeth (11 April 2024). "Ayra Starr's 'Sability' reenters Billboard U.S. Afrobeats songs chart". NotJustOk. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable.
  17. ^ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Official Afrobeats Chart". Official Charts Company.
  19. ^ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Nigeria certifications". TurnTable. Retrieved 26 November 2024.