On Sept. 5, STAR BANDZ released her new single “Die.” The track showcases the 17-year-old’s clever wordplay and unique cadence, as well as a shift towards more polished production. The raw energy of her Estrella mixtape is still there, but now the beats are more radio friendly.

The novelty of her age has helped boost her profile, but STAR BANDZ mostly stands out by being herself. She prefers saving money to buying luxury items, she refrains from cussing on her records, and she’s happy to spend her time off helping take care of her baby sister.

Stylistically, she respects and admires fellow Chicago rappers like Chief Keef and G Herbo. You can hear drill influences in her flow, but she stands on her own artistry. As a fan of singers like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande, she welcomes a more pop-oriented sound. Maybe we’ll hear that on the next project.

In this interview, Jordan Edwards and Demi Ramos talk to STAR BANDZ about her origin story, writing process, and life outside of music.