On Friday, the music scene witnessed the festival debut of 17-year-old drill rapper Star Bandz, hailing from Sauk Village, at Lollapalooza. Closing out the BMI Stage for the night, Star Bandz held the same spot where local icons like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa made their groundbreaking performances.
With an ever-growing following, Star’s breakthrough single “Yea Yea,” filmed during her 16th birthday party, has attracted an impressive 5.3 million views on YouTube. Additionally, her collaboration “My Baby” with Sugarhill Ddot has garnered a staggering 26 million views. Born Star Ana Flowers, she has received accolades from Complex for being one of the best teenage rappers and has had her track “Yea Yea” recognized by Pitchfork as one of the best songs of 2024.
Before her electrifying performance, the Sun-Times had the opportunity to chat with Star Bandz and her mother, Ana De Leon, backstage. They discussed the local rap scene, Star’s inspiring message to aspiring musicians in Chicago, and her commitment to keeping her music clean.
As her first festival appearance unfolded in her home city, Star expressed her excitement and eagerness to engage with the crowd. “I’ve never performed for a big crowd before — well, I have, but not at a festival, so I’m ready,” she shared.
Growing up in Sauk Village, Star Bandz’s background in Chicago greatly influences her work. She noted, “It had an influence for sure, not only in the way I make music, but my accent too — people from different states always seem to point that out about me. And just my demeanor as a Chicago girl.”
Star has opened for established artists like Lil Durk and Polo G, giving her a unique perspective on the local rap community. When asked about her thoughts on the scene, she described it as “big” and “really raw,” expressing a desire to collaborate with G Herbo in the future.
The recent rise of female rappers has brought significant attention to women in the music industry, a trend that Star Bandz echoes. “Yes! Women in rap is going crazy right now, hands down,” she stated, adding her admiration for JT, who has endorsed her within the industry.
In addition to her performance at Lollapalooza, Star Bandz took the time to tour Chicago high schools, aiming to connect with local students. Her message was clear: to inspire them to chase their dreams while also enjoying the process. “My message to them is to chase their dreams for real and have fun doing whatever you’re doing and don’t overthink it,” she advised.
For young aspiring talent in Chicago looking to follow in her footsteps, Star recommends authenticity. “I would say just don’t overthink it. Be yourself, don’t try to rap like anyone else, have your own flow, be yourself and just have fun,” she shared. She emphasized the importance of sharing their music, no matter the fear of failure, as they never know what could resonate with audiences.
Star Bandz didn’t take any writing classes; instead, she taught herself. Her journey began in sixth grade when a family friend took her to the studio to record. “He had always seen it in me. I used to sing songs, like over instrumentals or just used to rap other people’s songs … I had a lot of fun so literally three months later it was quarantine. I was sitting in the house and I wrote me a song and have been doing it since.”
A distinct feature of Star Bandz’s music is her choice to abstain from using profanity, a decision she views as significant. “I feel like you can get further as a talent and nobody else is doing it, especially rapping the way I rap without having to cuss. It stands out,” she explained. “I do it also because kids listen to my music … and I can’t just be saying anything, I gotta keep the image clean.”
Currently, Star Bandz is in the studio working on her debut album. She teased excitedly, “Just expect a lot of different flows and for it to be way better music than last time. Every time my work is going to be better.”
Ana De Leon, Star’s mother, shared thoughts on her daughter’s journey. She fondly recollected noticing Star’s talent early on when she was constantly dancing and singing to music, which prompted her to start recording her. “It made me feel like I should record her and that’s how people started noticing her.”
Musical diversity was a hallmark in the De Leon household, with influences ranging from Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift. Ana remarked, “We listened to everything. We were like musical jukeboxes at our house.”
Reflecting on Star’s achievements, Ana expressed her disbelief at how far her daughter has come. “Never in a million years. Everything is going really good for her because she’s a young girl trying to make it … but I’m happy. I named her Star for a reason.”
Ana also supported Star’s commitment to keeping her music profanity-free, stating, “Yeah, she’s still 17. I don’t let her cuss in front of me. I’m still her momma.” Star Bandz’s festival debut marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning music career, and with her talent, passion, and dedication, she is set to leave an indelible mark on the rap industry.
image source from：chicago
