Netizens Drags Arya Starr For Disrespecting King Sunny Ade At A Lagos Event [Video]

Image: X

The AFROZONS Pre-Grammy Nomination Celebration on January 26, 2024, at the Royal Box Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, sponsored by Heineken, was a star-studded event aimed at honoring the nominees of the inaugural BEST AFRICAN PERFORMANCE Category at the 2024 GRAMMY AWARDS.

The Nigerian music industry's top figures graced the occasion, including legends like Sunny Ade, Burna Boy's mom, Arya Starr, Libianca, and many others.

Sunny Ade received an Honorary award for his significant contributions to music, being the first Nigerian Grammy Nominee in 1984.

See the moment below:

Honorary Award "For Been The First Nigerian Artist Nominated At The Grammys For an Original Work" been presented to Music Legend, King Sunny ade by mama burna at the Afrozons Pre-Grammy party. pic.twitter.com/kqdA0k1WrH

— Enriched (@iam_enrich) January 27, 2024

The award was presented by Burna Boy's mother and she gave a heartfelt speech before she did.

See her speak below:

Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, delivers a beautiful speech as she presents an honorary award to
King Sunny Ade
"As First Nigerian With a Grammy Nomination For Their Original Work" at the Afrozons Pre-Grammy party happening at the Royal Box Event Center, Victoria Island🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/OGuCQsLvLj

— BIG 7 RECORDS (@Big7Record) January 26, 2024

During the event, Arya Starr and Libianca teamed up for a captivating performance of 'People.'

See the video of the performance below:

Ayra Starr and Libianca performing 'People' at the Afrozons pre-Grammy party in Lagos. pic.twitter.com/eRNTDVLfu6

— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) January 27, 2024

However, Arya Starr became the center of attention off-stage due to a video circulating on social media, where netizens criticized her for what they perceived as a disrespectful attitude. She is currently trending on X like wild fire.

In the video, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Arya Starr greeted 77-year-old veteran Sunny Ade by extending her hand for a handshake instead of adhering to the traditional Yoruba gesture of kneeling to greet elders. This sparked backlash online, with users calling her uncultured and expressing shock that she was Yoruba.

See the video below:

Ahhhhh, I thought Ayra Starr is a Yoruba girl... What sort of behaviour is this? 🤦🤦pic.twitter.com/3y9qtMlbCi

— BIG FEYI🐻‍❄️✨ (@Feyishola_30BG) January 27, 2024

See more:

The fact that Ayra Starr is a Yoruba girl makes this quite disrespectful no matter how you spin it.

She must not go on her knees but a simple knee gesture would do. The man even bowed his head out of respect for the person he’s shaking and she was there standing like a shigidi. https://t.co/rxweEmPBto

— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) January 26, 2024

Yoruba culture places a high value on respect, often demonstrated through prostration for men and kneeling for ladies when greeting elders. The criticism escalated as netizens compared Arya Starr to Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, who had previously performed with Sunny Ade on stage and demonstrated a culturally respectful greeting.

See Wizkid greeting KSA below:

Ayra Starr should learn from her elders; this was Wizkid prostrating to King Sunny Ade on stage. That “God bless you” alone >>>>> pic.twitter.com/Az4P3e9Jli

— Tao Of Iperu 💡🦅🦍🖤🇳🇬 (@TaoFeek182) January 26, 2024

Nollywood Times recalls that a past occurrence that ignited a debate happened when Pete Edochie, an Igbo veteran actor, greeted the Oni of Ife by stretching his hand instead of bowing.

This sparked a heated argument between Igbo and Yoruba communities on social media, illustrating cultural nuances and interpretations of respect.

Trust Nollywood Times to give you updates as to how Arya Starr reacts to the issue.

Source: X

#Arya Starr
#Sunny Ade
#Wizkid
#Pete Edochie
#Oni Of Ife