SUGARHILL DDOT & STAR BANDZ HAVE FORMED A BOND FROM MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER
Sugarhill Ddot & Star Bandz are two teens in the hip-hop world are making a lane for themselves rather they are working together or separate. Star Bandz’ newest song “How The Game Go” is only a taste of what we can expect from her new mixtape “Estrella” which is out everywhere now! Meanwhile Sugarhill Ddot is preparing to drop the deluxe edition to his well received album “2 Sides of the Story“.
In this 2 for 1 interview I got to chat with both artists to learn a little more about their upbringing, what to expect from their friendship and much more! Let’s start with Sugarhill Ddot below!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What have you loved most about growing up in Harlem?
I love my city and where I’m from I get love and still show love with all the fame and attention, Sugarhill made me who I am today for example my name “Sugarhill Ddot “ I take Sugarhill and Harlem with me everywhere I go!
When did you first fall in love with music?
I fell in love with music when I first started watching the show Empire as a kid. It made me feel like I could be big. That was one of my inspirations from always seeing the characters rapping and singing at family functions. I love music & now I can put food on the table for my family.
What initially drew you into the drill rap genre?
What made me wanna be a drill rapper was all my friends. We were all doing it for fun at the time. Now I’m serious about my music. The drill music made me become an artist and now I’m doing different things and experimenting with different sounds. I’m proud of where I’m at.
Do you still go to school or are you home-schooled?
Home schooled and I enjoy it!
How has it been growing into a celebrity while still being a teenager?
Being a celebrity at a young age sometimes can be hard. I’m proud of myself for making it even though it is hard. I learned how to maintain it and everything comes with it.
You recently released your new album “2 Sides of the Story” which features 18 songs. What was the process creating this album and the inspiration behind it?
My album “2 Sides Of The Story“ really means a lot to me. I really worked hard on it and took time with it. I was speaking about a lot & there was a lot of different versions of me singing , rapping , sexy drill , a lot of different flavors. I feel blessed to have the late PnB Rock on my album. He’s one of my longtime favorites. It took me 2 years to drop my album and I made sure it was ready for my fans.
For anyone who’s never heard a Sugarhill Ddot song, what’s the first song you’re playing them and why?
The song I would play for a person who never heard my music is “Let Ha Go” or “My Baby” or “Bartender.” I feel like these songs are the new me and a better me. I feel like I could catch the attention of people’s ears more.
via Sugarhill Ddot’s Instagram
One of the biggest songs on this album is “My Baby” featuring Star Bandz. How did this collaboration come about?
Someone who worked on my team contacted her team and she knocked out the song when I sent it to her, and she killed it. She always tells me she had fun making the song! From there me and her became friends and now we plan on dropping more music on my deluxe and her mixtape .
If you could work with any artist, who would it be and what type of song would you two create?
Future , Lil Durk , PARTYNEXTDOOR , Lil Baby. It doesn’t matter because the song I know it’s gonna be fire.
What do you love most about your Dominican culture?
The thing I love about my culture is that we have one of the best food’s and everything is love and genuine!
What’s your favorite Dominican meal?
My favorite Dominican plate is rice and beans with chicken.
Talk to us about your tattoos, do any of them have significant meanings to you? Which one is your favorite?
My tattoo means take the risk or loose the chance. I also have “141719” that is meaning of all my friends that passed away & I have my brother Notti Osama tatted on my forearm.
via Sugarhill Ddot’s Instagram
What’s in your jewelry collection?
My jewelry collection consists of a lot of things. I have a Rollie bust down, bust down bracelet, bust down chain , bust down ring, another bust down ring, and bust down earrings.
How would you describe your fashion style? Are there any brands you can’t live without?
I’m starting to step out of Amiri now. I’m wearing different things now but I definitely can’t live without a pair of white air forces and Louis Vuitton. Like i can’t at all!
Outside of music, what else do you have in store for 2025?
Outside of music the things I’m tryna do is find more peace and discipline for myself. I’m gonna keep making good music and succeeding for the rest of my life. I’m gonna keep putting food on the table for my family and make sure everyone is stable in general.
Chicago native Star Bandz has carved a lane for herself and is just warming up at only 16-years-old! Working with some of the biggest names in hip-hop while still making time for school, family and a social life is an extreme sport she makes look easy! Keep reading below to learn all about Star Bandz and her friendship with Sugarhill Ddot!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What has it been like growing up in Chicago?
Everybody’s life experiences are different, but for me it’s been fun , and things have happened here.
For anyone who’s never been to Chicago, where are a few places they need to visit?
Go get some pizza and Harold’s lol.
You started off making videos at an early age which blew up overtime. What advice do you have for anyone doing the same but are struggling to get their content out?
Just be consistent and be yourself, don’t rush but also have that mindset that you can do it, just believe in yourself and give it your all.
Walk us through your process of creating a song from scratch.
I take my time on listening to beats until I find one I like because I’m picky, and whenever a beat is just getting played I try to harmonize and freestyle a little to see how I will come on the beat. Same thing when I start writing, I harmonize first then I find words that match the melody I made up.
via Star Bandz’ Instagram
Your mom has been with you every step of the way of your career. Talk to us about your relationship with her.
My momma was my first best friend really but she is still my momma so you know its rules and stuff, but other than that me n my mom are real close.
In 2022 you released your first EP “Big Bandz” which features 6 songs. For anyone who’s never listened to this tape what is the first song you’re playing them and why?
“Blues Clues” and really because that’s the hardest song on that tape.
When can we expect a new full body of work from you? Sonically how will it differ from “Big Bandz”?
November 15th 2024 , it will differ from the “big bandz” EP because this mixtape will show my versatility and it will show how much I grew as a artist and with my craft.
You recently released the remix to “Yea Yea” featuring Veeze. Talk to us about how this collaboration came about.
I needed a hard feature for my hit song, I seen Veeze was rocking with me so I reached out to him for the feature.
Not only do you make music with Sugarhill Ddot you two are heading on tour with Luh Tyler this fall across America. Talk to us about your friendship with him and what you’re most looking forward to going on tour together.
That’s my boy, we just met about 2 months ago and we clicked automatically. I like having a friend that does what I do and surrounding myself around people who do what I do. It gives you something to talk about that you can’t talk about with people who don’t make music, And if I ever have a question about something or don’t know how to do something I know someone who can give me advice.
via Sugarhill Ddot’s Instagram
Outside of music, what are some things you do for fun?
I like going out with my friends. I like eating out, I love shopping, I love shoes and clothes, I play with my little sister, i chill with my big brother, i enjoy working out and playing basketball from time to time.
If you could wear one hairstyle for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Braids to the back!
What is the most challenging aspect of being a teenager and an artist?
Still wanting to have fun but having work to get done, and I’m a girl so I like to lay in the bed most of the time lol but I do that less now!
How do you protect your mental health?
By not letting little things bother me, and keeping my eyes on the prize!
What’s next for Star Bandz?
I would like to know the same. Whatever the universe and god has planned for me.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Benny Max (@benny_max1.5)
