Elestee & Ayra Starr Find Perfect Sync on “On A Low”
As the lead single to her third studio EP, ‘Mentally I’m Here’, Mavin signee Elestee links up with the label’s leading pop figure, Ayra Starr, for an extra splash of juice on her new release, “On A Low”. The versatile Port Harcourt–born artist—unveiled under the imprint two years ago with her self-titled debut EP Lifesize Teddy—has undergone several evolutions since then: sonically, visually, and even identity-wise. Her transition from Lifesize Teddy to Elestee in 2024 arrived alongside “Selina”, featuring Major AJ, the first of her two releases that year.
Predominantly a rap artist, her name change initially sparked speculation that she was pivoting toward Afropop for a broader share of the Nigerian listening market. But that wasn’t the case. Whatever informed the rebrand, none of it obstructs the warmth and grit of her delivery. She continues to rap-sing with the same essence she introduced to day-one fans, just sharpened with experience. And on this new release with Nigeria’s finest pop star, Ayra Starr, Elestee coats her rap-sing flair over Ayra’s radiant pop sheen, offering listeners a crisp, satisfying taste of what happens when a rising talent collaborates with a superstar.
“On A Low”, produced by Sparq, opens with vibrant, cuddly guitar harmonies softened by tender percussion. Elestee sketches the story of a steamy, secret romance she hopes to fully explore with her muse. Throughout the track, she and Ayra Starr trade verses like a clean rally in a tennis match—each pass deepening the layers of their clandestine connection.
The song’s groove leans heavily into Elestee’s duality. She spotlights her melodic strengths in the opening verse, then slips back into her rap roots on the second:
“Hi, I just wanna know, tell me
Know you wanna keep the ring on my celly
Know you wanna put a ring on my finger
Yh, your little spawn inside of my belly…”
Her verse snaps into place with Ayra Starr’s commanding presence in the pre-chorus. Ayra delivers a smooth, assertive pop flow that blends seamlessly with Elestee’s cadence, especially in the final stretch of the chorus, where Elestee’s ad-libs feather in as Ayra takes full charge.
“On A Low” ultimately works because it doesn’t force either artist outside their zone. Instead, it lets their strengths brush against each other until something warm, slick, and replay-ready forms. Elestee stands firm in her rap-sing identity, Ayra Starr elevates the track with her polished pop firepower, and together they create a record that feels like a quiet declaration: Elestee may be rising, but she’s doing so on her own terms, with enough confidence to match one of Africa’s biggest pop stars beat for beat.
