Nigerian singer Ceeza Milli has claimed that he played a significant role in discovering and nurturing the talent of fellow artiste Ayra Starr.

Speaking during a recent interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Milli alleged that he became aware of Ayra Starr long before her rise to fame. According to him, he met the singer while dating a woman who was Ayra Starr’s “school mother” at the time.

Milli further claimed that he provided accommodation for the young singer and insisted that his influence on her early career cannot be overlooked.

“When I discovered Ayra Starr, I wasn’t focused on signing or keeping artistes, but I’ve always enjoyed watching talents grow,” he said. “She can’t deny my impact on her career. I discovered her at a very young age. She was still in school then. She was my ex-girlfriend’s school daughter, and at some point, she was even staying at my place.”

Ayra Starr rose to prominence in January 2021 following the release of her self-titled debut extended play under Mavin Records.

The singer has previously revealed that Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, reached out to her in December 2019 after discovering her music on Instagram, where she frequently shared song covers and original content.