Sunny Ade is not your uncle – Nigerians react to Ayra Starr’s apology to Highlife and Juju icon

• A video capturing Ayra Starr giving King Sunny Ade a casual handshake at an event stirred up condemnation from Nigerians, who took her to task for not showing proper respect to the Highlife and Juju icon.
• Ayra’s attempt to address the issue in an apology post, where she explained her actions and confidently referred to Sunny Ade as ‘Uncle,’ only served to fuel the public’s anger.

Nigerians across social media platforms have responded fervently to singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe aka Ayra Starr’s recent apology extended to the renowned music legend Sunny Ade.

Ayra recently faced heavy accusations of showing disrespect during the Sunny Ade Afrozons-Heineken Pre-Grammy party held in Lagos.

A widely circulated video captures the 21-year-old songstress greeting a group of individuals seated alongside the esteemed 77-year-old Sunny Ade at the event with what some deem as minimal acknowledgment.

Online users swiftly criticized the ‘Bloody Samaritan’ sensation, prompting her to issue an apology for her actions.

“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,” she wrote.

Her apology, however, evoked mixed reactions as many criticized her for addressing the musician as her uncle.

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She performed at the Afrozons pre-Grammy party in Lagos state on Friday night and just before she got up on stage, she paid respects to some VIPs, just as she reached King Ade, she gave him a handshake.

She was also seen casually greeting Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, and others who were seated near King Sunny Ade.