STARBANDZ & SUGARHILL DDOT: ON THE COME UP
The future of rap lies in 16-year-old STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot’s hands. After a recent collab, rappers STAR BANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot got real about the journey of making music. From what got them to where they are now to what they aim to accomplish in the future. These teen sensations spoke their truth.
Who Are STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot?
Amassing millions of streams both individually, and even more together, it’s hard to believe Harlem native Sugarhill Ddot and Chicago native, STAR BANDZ are just in the beginnings of their careers. Despite being so young STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot are no strangers to success. In September they both made Complex’s “13 Best Teenage Rappers Right Now” list just in time for country-wide tours. When STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot were asked how it feels being their age, gaining all this success and recognition right now.
“And then I just feel good about being on the Complex, you know, top 13 in the world, like that’s hard,” Star says
“They chose good this time you know,” Ddot says
Making It Big
Star says that she felt like she made it when “Everybody liked me, you know. I was always myself on camera, I don’t know how to explain it like, seeing hard work pay off. Like I already knew this was for me, and that’s why I did it. I never got bored with it or never felt like I didn’t want to do it, I always have fun with it. Seeing that people like me for who I am and the uniqueness in my music, it makes me stand out.” Star doesn’t curse in her raps, which not many rappers can do. Her self-control while she spits has defined her sound and separates her from the rest of the rap game.
Rappers take from the environment around them. So when STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot were asked how the area where they come from impacts the music they make, they had an answer.
“Our flow, like I don’t know it just the flow we got,” says Ddot
“And then also coming up listening to different types of music already.” “says Star “Having knowledge about certain things and being able to rap about it. Growing up listening to certain types of music whether it’s Pain’s music (T-Pain), it teaches you how to express yourself through your music.”
“Yeah like listening to other rappers helps you a lot I ain’t gonna lie.”
The Past = The Future
Like all other genres, rap and hip-hop are constantly evolving but an influence of the past will always be there. It’s what got the genre to where it is today. Sugarhill Ddot is putting the iconic Sugarhill name in the spotlight and has become an introduction for people to learn more about the rich history Sugarhill has in rap and hip-hop. As well as now drill rap, where Sugarhill Ddot started.
” I mean it’s my name Sugarhill Ddot I take that with me everywhere I go. My hood. I was just young in the hood it’s a blessing what happened to me, I never thought I would be able to take it somewhere.”
STARBANDZ and Sugarhill Ddot have a lifetime of hits ahead of them, so it was only right to ask what their dream venue to perform in would be.
” I would wanna do something at uhm, at the end of like, football games, like what Houston did. Something like that, but I gotta get my singing voice there,” says Star
” I performed in the United Center in Chicago already, but I wanna perform in like my city. Madison Square Garden, I feel like it’s my city so I feel like I gotta do something there.” says Sugarhill Ddot
“But I’m telling you it feels good when your an artist and you sell out a show like hearing that you sold out a show, like that feels good. Means people really love you. Like you sold out every ticket. That means there’s no more tickets on the phone, like it makes you feel good. A lot of artists don’t be expressing themselves, but we’re regular too, we react the same way other people do when they get good news.”
Regardless of the fame, and views, these teens are just teens, with dreams and aspirations. Making music and rapping is their passion, and this is only the beginning.