Universal Music/Interscope recording artist, Starshell is gearing up to release her first studio album this fall and based on fan response and the popularity of her hit single “Birthday Girl” she’s sure to soar to the top of the industry ladder. Starshell is the leading artist under Mary J. Blige’s Matriach record label with an all-around talent. She models, sing, and writes her own songs. After co-penning Kanye’s Love Lockdown track [which nabbed the #3 spot on the Billboard top 100 charts], Starshell went on to tour with Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias on the ‘Dance With Me’ tour last year, and later with Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo on the ‘Liberation‘ tour which also happens to be the same title of Starshell’s upcoming album. A few weeks ago I got a chance to speak with Starshell and discuss her new album, music background, and more.
As the interview got underway, Starshell revealed to us that her sister tragic “suicide” death impacted her outlook on life and was the driving forces behind “Birthday Girl” and another self-written track entitled “Liberation” . Having face such a loss Starshell says she’s learned the most valuable thing in LIFE – is to just LIVE.
So – Let’s Get Into It!
On Her Recent Stardom And Co-Signatures From A List Musicians [Mary J. Blige, Kanye, and more]:“It’s been AMAZING. It’s a beautiful thing. I feel like anything with hard work pays off. Of course there’s a back story and there was alot of time that went into my artistry before getting signed and to be signed and mentored by Mary J. Blige has been a dream come true along with some co-signatures from heavy-hitters in the industry is all that I can ask for. I’m living my dream every single day so its exciting for me. “
On Her Ethnicity:
“My mother is Brazilian and my father is black. I speak English, Portuguese and Spanish fluently. So, I have the Latin American side and my black side and its all mixed into one. My music influence and style derives from that. Growing up, I listened to alot of Samba, Salsa and Bachucana music, so I have alot influences which makes for my unique sound. “
On Whether She’ll Be Utilizing Her Cultural Music Influence On The New Album:
“We actually did on the current single , ‘Birthday Girl‘ . It’s funny because I always find a way to tuck them in my songs some way or another. The drums that come in the bridge was influenced by bachucana. There is also another influence on this song I have called “Liberation” that has alot of different sounds and another record called “Born To Love” so yeah there will definitely be alot of drums that are different and have that Latin American influence. “
On How Long She’s Been Singing:
“I’ve been singing since I was five-six years old. I always knew that was something that I was passionate about.”
On The Genre Of Her Music:
“I do feel like as time is passing the lines between genres of music are becoming more blurred. I don’t think there really is a genre that you could actually put me in. But you would call it pop music. However, I have influences from R&B music, soul, music, rock, alternative. So I’m kind of a ‘melting pot’ of everything that I’ve been influenced by. “
On On The New Album “Liberation” & It’s Title Meaning:
“There will be surprises on the album. I’m still working on a few tracks so I am excited. “
“WOW. That’s a good one. Liberation is a culmination of a piece of work that was inspired by my sister [pauses] …she passed away. She committed suicide and after she passed away I kind of dedicated my entire life to figuring things out. During that time it made me realized ALOT of things. I was writing poetry and ALOT of my grieving was coming out in my art. So ‘Liberaton‘ is just the culmination of that journey for me and a dedication to my sister. It means being free, being happy, and with the single “Birthday Girl” its about celebrating life and not taking anything for granted. It’s just a bigger meaning and purpose behind all of the art and my work.”
On Coping With Her Sister’s Suicide Death While Signed And Working On A New Album:
“For me It was something that was before hand [prior to her music deal], and it was a process. So alot of my poetry that I was writing turned into songs… and [pauses]… I won’t lie and say that its always been upbeat because it hasn’t been. It was a spiritual process for me more than anything and it was me realizing that I had the choice to go left or to go right. The left represented doing everything that is predictable; getting into trouble, turning to drugs and alcohol and being this rebel [which would of been expected of me]. People would find that as an excuse to say that why I ended up on that road but I took the other road; and it hasn’t been easy but you go through your valleys and peaks but I rather take a more positive aspect on life and show other young girls that despite your hardships and tragedies you can rise above and find GOOD in even the WORSE situations.”
On Working With Top Songwriters Easter Dean & Neyo On The New Album:
“She’s Amazing! [referring to Dean]. She has so much life and fun and all that stuff . She’s everything in the industry and someone you want to work with. I’m not sure if the song is going to be on the album so I don’t want to say the name of the song because sometimes in this industry the songs can be yours and then it’s not so I don’t want to let the cat out the bag too early.”
“I also had the honor of working with Neyo. He co-wrote this song I have out right now entitled “My Star” and that was a dream come true for me because Neyo is one of the most respected and talented singers in the industry.”
On Artists She’d Like To Work With:
“Miguel. I met him awhile back when he opening up for Mary a while back [and no one knew who he was then] but he was AMAZING then and he is AMAZING now. Also, Bruno Mars is AMAZING to me as well so those are the two artists I’d like to work with.”
On Co-Writing Kanye’s “Love Lock down” Track & Whether He Will be Featured On Her New Album:
“Kanye actually did a remix verse on this song we recorded entitled “Super Luva”. It also features rapper Big Sean and it’ll be on the bonus tracks of the album. Kanye is a friend and he help guide me… I’ll send him some songs and he’ll give me his input. He’s been really helpful in my development for this album. “
On Upcoming Shows & Tour:
“I’ll be on Mary’s summer tour beginning in August through September but I’m not going to be at every single show but I’ll be at the major market shows and the cities where most of my fans are predominantly in but I love to just be around the process and see all the hard work and financing that goes into a major tour. “
On Advice To Others Who Want To Pursue A Singing Career:
“Do it for yourself. Do it because you love it, and that way you’ll never feel ‘burnt out’ or ‘discourage’. You will at times but you will keep going because its something that your heart is desiring and your passionate about it. Don’t do it for the glitz and glamor, or what you think it might be, or the rewards you think are behind it. If you do it from your heart and passion then you will be Successful.”
Starshell, launched her “Birthday Girl” t-shirts earlier this year and they are available for purchase online. You can view them here. Be sure to follow her @starshell to keep up with her music, shows, and upcoming projects.