On Friday, 17-year-old Sauk Village drill rapper Star Bandz made her festival debut at Lollapalooza. Closing out the BMI Stage for the night, the young rapper performed in the very same spot where fellow local talents like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa launched their first big festival moments — and by all accounts, Star Bandz is poised to follow the same trajectory.
The video for her breakthrough single “Yea Yea,” filmed at her 16th birthday party, currently sits at 5.3 million views on YouTube while her first collaboration, “My Baby” with Sugarhill Ddot, has 26 million views. The emerging rapper (born Star Ana Flowers) has also been hailed by Complex as one of the best teenage rappers while Pitchfork called “Yea Yea” one of the best songs of 2024.
Before Star Bandz wowed the BMI Stage with material from her mixtape “Estrella,” Sun-Times chatted with the rising talent and her mom, Ana De Leon, backstage about the local rap community, Star’s message for young aspiring musicians in Chicago and why she is intent on keeping her music clean.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: It’s your first festival appearance and it’s in your home city — how are your emotions doing today?
A: I’m very excited, and I’m just ready to rock the crowd out. I’ve never performed for a big crowd before — well I have, but not at a festival, so I’m ready.
Q: You’re from Sauk Village — how did the background of Chicago shape your work?
A: It had an influence for sure, not only 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.
Q. You’ve opened for Lil Durk and Polo G — what are your thoughts on the rap community here and is there anyone you’re dying to work with?
A: I think it’s big and I think it’s really raw. I’d want to get a song in with G Herbo.
Q: Women in rap are also having a big moment now — are you feeling that energy too?
A: Yes! Women in rap is going crazy right now, hands down. I love JT. … That’s one person, one woman, that co-signed me that’s big in the industry.
Q: You toured some Chicago high schools recently — why did you want to do that and what was your message for students?
A: It’s my city, so kids are going to know who I am and I wanted to turn them up. My message to them is to chase their dreams for real and have fun doing whatever you’re doing and don’t overthink it. Do what you gotta do but be productive; do something with your life so you feel good.
Q: Do you have advice for any young talent in Chicago who would want to follow in your shoes?
A: 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. And don’t be scared to put your music out there because you never know if it’ll blow up.
Q: Did you take writing classes in school?
A: No, I just taught myself how to do it. I wrote my first song because my momma’s friend took me to the studio one day when I was in sixth grade. He had always seen it in me. I used to sing songs, like over instrumentals or just used to rap other people’s songs. … He took me to the studio to just rap over my favorite song, it was one by NBA YoungBoy and I got the feel of the studio, that was the whole plan. 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.
Q: Your music is notable for not having any profanity — why is that important to you?
A: I feel like you can get further in as a talent and nobody else is doing it, especially rapping the way I rap without having to cuss. It stands out. You see everybody pointing it out. I do it also because kids listen to my music … and I can’t just be saying anything, I gotta keep the image clean.
Q: You’re in the studio right now working on your debut album, what can you tell us?
A: 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.
Star Bandz’s mom Ana De Leon has some thoughts too …
Q: When did you notice that Star had some talent?
A: When she was younger, she was always dancing and singing to music. It made me feel like I should record her and that’s how people started noticing her.
Q: What kind of music was in the house?
A: Oldies like Michael Jackson. Taylor Swift too. We listened to everything. We were like musical jukeboxes at our house.
Q: Did you ever think Star would get to this point and be considered one of the best new rappers?
A: 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.
Q: Star is notable for having no profanity in her music — was that important to you?
A: Yeah, she’s still 17. I don’t let her cuss in front of me. I’m still her momma.
Q: What are you hoping for [Friday’s] set at Lollapalooza?
A: I just want everybody to know my baby’s name.