Getting to Know Starr, First Lady of Skull Gang

In hip-hop, the most fascinating thing next to beef is usually the “First Lady” of the crew. But few lady starlets have been as elusive as Starr, the leading lady of Skull Gang. Every now and then she would pop up on a Juelz Santana hook or on a hood mixtape and pique everyone’s interest, but then she’d disappear again. In December the 22-year-old Harlem native appeared on Juelz Santana’s “Jingle Bellz,” and she also sang in Jim Jones’ Hip-Hop Monologues, leaving people wondering when she was going to do her own thing. The time has come. Her new single, “RockStarr” ft. Juelz Santana and Lil Wayne is buzzing online and on New York City’s top urban radio stations, but we still don’t know who she is. That’s why GangStarrGirl.com decided to get to know the woman behind the voice. Introducing Starr, the First Lady of Skull Gang.

GangStarrGirl: Who is Starr, the mysterious hook lady?

Starr: Basically, I was born and raised in Harlem and I’ve been singing since I could talk. I write all my own music [and] I’ve been doing this since I was about 12. My songs started making sense when I was about 15, and as far as where I am now, I am the first lady of Skull Gang.

GG: Is Skull Gang just a crew?

S Skull Gang is Juelz Santana’s new label and I found my home over there about a year and a half ago. Juelz was just supposed to feature on one of my songs and I ended up going over to the studio every day playing music for him and recording and it turned into more than a feature. It turned into a home so right now I’m working on my solo album. I’m pretty much done with it.

GG: How did you meet Juelz?

S We met through a mutual acquaintance of my manager at the time and the rest was history. He heard my stuff and was like, ‘She’s dope, I don’t care if she’s ugly, if this girl writes [too] then she’s writing this for us. I was supposed to be on one song but like I said, I’ve been recording there for a year and a half ever since. It was almost like I willed it. I remember watching them on TV and saying “Why don’t they just get a girl? She’ll soften them up a little bit.” I said it and meant it.

GG: Who works the magic behind your catchy hooks?

SMe. I arrange and write all my music. I also intend on writing for other artists. I do it all.

GG: Walk me through your journey to getting signed with Skull Gang. Were you signed with someone else before you got with them?

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Jim Jones Becomes KOCH Records VP

Damn, as if rappers haven't learned a lesson from the recent firing of Jermaine Dupri with Island Records - yet another rapper takes his place as a record head. Harlem native rapper, Jim Jones will be heading up at KOCH Records as the new 'Vice President of Urban A&R', according to eurweb.com. Jim will be responsible for recruiting new talent to the urban division of KOCH and coaching them - so to speak. His first project under his new title will be promoting and heading up the debut album of Skull Gang starring Juelz Santana due out in February. Jim recently made a statement on his new position with the record label saying, "It feels good to know that the hard work has been recognized by the same people that have helped me get to this point in my career. They recognize that I'm not only an artist but a person that can smell talent and be able to mold a superstar." KOCH's General Manager, Alan Grunblatt seems to be pleased with the new deal as well stating, "Jim Jones put KOCH on the map. He truly knows what it takes to make a hit record. I am thrilled to be working with him for many years to come." That's what's up Jim, I just hope you do better than what Dupri did at Island.