Star2, L’Officiel Monaco digital cover star, refugee rapper from San Diego, California is rapidly climbing the ranks of the hip hop game in the United States. Born into the Mae La Thai refugee camp on the border of Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Star2 is Ka-ren, a persecuted minority group in Myanmar. Star2 turned to music as an outlet to release his intense feelings and frustration. He wrote songs and made music videos on YouTube half in Ka-ren and half in English. The rapper reveals, “I began rapping in middle school, in a home studio that a close friend created in our apartment complex. At first it was all fun, but it became an outlet for my emotions and a way to cope. We made a few music videos that got a lot of attention on YouTube.”
Tell us about your greatest strength as a professional?
I think my biggest strength is my ability to see myself honestly – in my lyrics, melodies, my videos. There’s a lot of pressure to be “commercial” and “accessible.” I think my ideas usually are, but sometimes there’s pressure to conform and follow trends – that’s when you gotta look inside and make sure your choices reflect who you really are. There’s also a lot of pressure to get things done, especially when artists are in the studio or locations have been booked. Sometimes lyrics aren’t right, a video shoot location isn’t right, a collab isn’t right for a certain song. I trust my instincts and fight for what I think works artistically and is really me. It’s harder than you think.
What is your favorite part of being in the media industry?
My favorite parts are the people, the experiences, and the dope places I get to visit- the whole scene is unreal. I have to pinch myself sometimes.
Tell us more about the beginning of your media career.
The beginnings were very simple. I loved music as a kid. I grew up listening to Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, and the different rappers who were popular. I wrote songs about the little girls at school I was in love with who wouldn’t talk to me. In middle school, I started rapping with a neighbor in our apartment complex who had a very small studio set-up. We spent hours making songs and then started filming music videos in the neighborhood. They were half in English and half in my native language, Ka-ren (a dialect from Burma). They started getting attention. I was also going to a refugee tutoring program for help with homework and reading. A mentor there found out about my music and introduced me to a famous record producer in LA, Chico Bennett. She also helped me get a scholarship to a summer music program at the Los Angeles College of Music. I cut my first record with Chico Bennett in LA and then filmed a music video. The rest is history…we have worked together for four years and made over 16 songs and videos – we had our first million view video this year and have over four million views on multiple songs and videos on WorldStar HipHop. I’ve been very lucky to have some high profile collabs too – my single “New Me” is with Soulja Boy and I have an EP with a big Asian rapper, $tupid Young, and a single with him and Mozzy, a famous rapper from Sacramento, California. I’ve also done collabs with Lil Poppa (Yo Gotti’s CMG record label) and HoodTrophy Bino (Soulja Boy’s Stacks on Deck Money Gang record label).
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I hope to have a huge career with Gold and Platinum records and sold out crowds in big arenas. I also hope to have a platform to help my people, the Ka-ren from Burma, who’ve suffered genocide by the Burmese army and Myanmar government. There are thousands in refugee camps on the border between Thailand and Myanmar who cannot return home but have no future. I want to help them.
You are a true multi-talent. What motivates you?
My people motivate me. They’re proud of my success so far and lift me up when I get discouraged. My grandma motivates me. I recently got my US citizenship. My grandma sacrificed everything to bring us to the US to have safety, education, and a future. I hope to pay her back and honor her sacrifices.
What inspires you the most as a singer?
I’m inspired by strong emotions – music is a way for me to process what’s happened to me in life. At first it was all fun, but it became an important way for me to cope with the strong and difficult emotions I felt. I enjoy writing songs about what I’ve experienced…what I’ve gone through. I also love writing love songs and ballads, but I’ve been in a rap phase lately and loving it.
Success is such a subjective concept that everyone likely views differently. How do you define success?
Lol…success is being able to make music and get paid for it! Really, success is also living a good life – having a family and loyal friends. Achieving physical and mental health is also success. I’m trying to succeed artistically and make money while having a happy, balanced family life – and it’s not easy!
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All creative projects have their challenges. What was your biggest challenge in last time?
My challenge has been putting together a team to help me with my career – it takes a lot of people. I’ve found talented, loyal people to help with producing my music, shooting videos and photos, promotion, and management. It’s a lot! We had some issues with internet advertising on our last video – there were lots of bikinis and beautiful girls in the video. The AI safe search censor wasn’t feeling it!! Because of that, it’s been hard getting people to see my video…which is one of my best.
What is your time management philosophy?
I try to work hard and get projects finished. It’s hard to get going if you stop – but then you have to be careful about burnout. I’ve been going hard for the last few years!! But, I’m determined to make it. I can rest later!
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