Veteran Congolese musician Awilo Longomba has finally met Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, three years after she brought one of his classic songs back into the spotlight.
The two African music stars met for the first time during the Africa Connect concert in Lusaka, Zambia, in September 2026.
A video from the encounter captured a warm moment between the veteran singer and the younger Afrobeats star, with Awilo reportedly referring to Ayra Starr as his “daughter.”
The meeting has attracted attention from music fans because of the strong musical connection between the two artistes.
Ayra Starr’s 2023 hit song “Sability” drew from Awilo Longomba’s iconic 1998 Soukous record “Coupé Bibamba.”
The song introduced elements of Awilo’s classic to a younger generation of Afrobeats listeners and helped renew interest in the veteran musician’s music more than two decades after the original was released.
For many fans, the meeting in Zambia represented a full-circle moment between two generations of African music.
Read also:
- Davido Distances Himself From Wizkid, Carter Efe After Controversy
- Poco Lee’s UK Court Pre-Trial Hearing Moved to February 2027
- Davido, Tems, Phyno Lead Nigerian Winners At AFRIMMA 2026
Awilo Longomba has remained an influential figure in African music, particularly through his work in the Soukous genre, while Ayra Starr has emerged as one of the leading voices in the new generation of Afrobeats.
Their encounter at the Africa Connect concert therefore highlighted the connection between Africa’s older musical catalogue and its rapidly evolving contemporary sound.
The warm reception between both artistes also showed the mutual appreciation surrounding the musical link created through “Sability.”
Ayra Starr has continued to record major milestones in her career.
Her album, “The Year I Turned 21,” has also recorded significant numbers on streaming platforms, further reflecting the Nigerian singer’s growing influeAnce in the global music scene.
The meeting with Awilo Longomba comes as another notable moment in Ayra Starr’s journey, particularly given the role his classic record played in one of her biggest songs.
For Awilo, the encounter provided an opportunity to meet the artiste who helped introduce his iconic sound to another generation, while for Ayra Starr, it was a chance to connect personally with one of the African music legends whose work influenced her hit song.
