IN STARR'S ORBIT

Just ahead of the Mavin/Republic release of Grammy-nominated artist Ayra Starr's sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 (due on 5/31), the following people gathered to cheer the strength of African music in the marketplace and ponder a nearby deli platter that was absolutely laden with mouth-watering blintzes: Mavin Records founder/CEO Don Jazzy, Republic founder and Vice Chairman Avery Lipman, Starr, Republic founder/Chairman Monte Lipman, Republic EVP A&R Miles Beard and Mavin COO Tega Oghenejobo.