Starrah
Brittany Hazzard, professionally known as Starrah, is an American songwriter, singer, and rapper born and raised in Delaware as the youngest of nine siblings.[1][2] She rose to prominence in the mid-2010s as a prolific hitmaker, co-writing chart-topping singles for artists including Rihanna, Drake, Camila Cabello, and Maroon 5, with her contributions helping propel over 10 million singles in sales.[3][4] Starrah's early interest in music began around age four, inspired by Soul for Real's "Candy Rain," leading her to start writing songs by age ten using basic recording software.[4] After attending Delaware State University, where she connected with aspiring artists online via platforms like MySpace, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in songwriting.[2] Her breakthrough came in 2015 with her first major hit, co-writing Kid Ink and DeJ Loaf's "Be Real," followed by high-profile collaborations such as Rihanna's platinum-certified "Needed Me," Drake's "Fake Love," Nicki Minaj's "No Frauds," and Camila Cabello's "Havana," which topped Top 40 radio for seven weeks and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3] In addition to her behind-the-scenes work, Starrah has pursued her own artistry, releasing the EP Starrah x Diplo in 2017 and her debut studio album The Longest Interlude in 2021, featuring production from Skrillex, Nile Rodgers, James Blake, and Boi-1da.[2][5] She has earned multiple accolades, including three 2017 ASCAP Urban Awards, the Secret Genius Award for Best Hip-Hop Writer that same year, and ASCAP's Pop Songwriter of the Year in 2018—the first woman to receive the honor in 16 years.[3][2] In 2021, she won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song for her work on the remix of Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé's "Savage."[6] Expanding her influence, Starrah launched her publishing company, 3:02 Music Group (named after Delaware's area code), in 2022 through a joint venture with Pulse Music Group, where she serves as CEO.[1] In 2025, she featured on Skrillex's surprise album FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!!*.[7]Background
Early life
Brittany Talia Hazzard, professionally known as Starrah, was born on June 14, 1990, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.[8] As the youngest of nine siblings, she was raised in a large family in a challenging urban environment that she has described as the "ghetto," contrasting sharply with the wealthier surroundings nearby.[2][9] From an early age, Hazzard showed a strong interest in music, influenced by family and local scenes in Delaware. She spent much of her childhood watching MTV's 106 & Park, where she drew inspiration from young performers like Lil' Bow Wow and Lil' Romeo, sparking her aspirations in the industry.[2] By age 11, she had written her first song, and at 14, she began collaborating with her brother on rap verses, honing her skills in singing and rapping alongside friends who sought her help with hooks.[2][10] Hazzard's childhood was marked by significant hardships that built her resilience, including financial struggles and a turbulent home life. In one poignant anecdote reflected in her later lyrics from the song "Low," she recounts waking up to a SWAT team raid, where her 15-year-old sister was handcuffed on the floor, contributing to her experiences of PTSD from childhood trauma.[11] These challenges, set against a backdrop of limited resources, motivated her determination to escape her circumstances, as she later reflected: "I wasn’t in the best financial situation or best environment, so I was willing to do whatever I had to do to get out."[2]Education and early influences
Starrah attended Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, where she pursued higher education in an unspecified field, graduating around 2012.[12] She became the first member of her family to earn a college degree, marking a significant personal milestone amid a challenging upbringing in Delaware.[11] Following her graduation, Starrah relocated to Los Angeles to dedicate herself fully to a career in music, leaving behind her East Coast roots for the competitive West Coast scene.[12] This move represented a pivotal commitment to her artistic ambitions, as she sought opportunities in songwriting and production far from the local environments of her youth. During her college years, Starrah explored early creative outlets by writing lyrics, crafting rhymes, and experimenting with basic beat production using accessible tools like a Microsoft Windows recording app.[4] She connected with aspiring artists online, uploading her initial tracks to MySpace and proactively reaching out to producers to build her skills independently.[2] Her inspirations drew heavily from hip-hop and R&B artists who shaped her youth, including Missy Elliott, whose transition from underground to mainstream resonated deeply with Starrah's own aspirations.[13] Additionally, exposure to the local Delaware music scene, particularly through a neighborhood DJ, fueled her early passion for rhyming and performance.[4]Professional career
Breakthrough as songwriter
Starrah entered the music industry as a professional songwriter after relocating to Los Angeles following her college graduation, where she began uploading early demos to SoundCloud around 2014 to build her portfolio and connect with potential collaborators.[11] She signed with Mad Decent, Diplo's label, which provided initial support for her burgeoning career as both a writer and emerging artist, allowing her to experiment with tracks shared online.[14] This period marked her transition from independent uploads to structured industry involvement, though she initially focused on behind-the-scenes contributions amid the competitive Los Angeles songwriting scene. Her breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the co-writing of "Be Real," a single by Kid Ink featuring DeJ Loaf from the album Full Speed, produced by DJ Mustard; the track became her first major exposure, peaking at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning widespread radio play in urban markets.[10] Building on this momentum, Starrah collaborated with producers like DJ Mustard and Mad Max, navigating initial challenges in bridging urban hip-hop and R&B roots with broader pop appeal, as her melodic hooks often infused street-inflected lyrics into mainstream structures—a shift that required adapting to diverse artist visions while preserving her authentic voice.[11] In 2016, Starrah achieved greater recognition through high-profile co-writes, including "2 Phones" for Kevin Gates on his debut album Islah, which reached double platinum certification by the RIAA after selling over two million units and peaking at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.[15] That same year, she co-wrote "Needed Me" for Rihanna's album Anti, a gritty empowerment anthem produced by DJ Mustard that peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, spent 45 weeks on the chart, and solidified her reputation for crafting versatile, chart-topping melodies blending urban edge with pop accessibility.[12] By 2019, Starrah's early successes led to a significant partnership with Hipgnosis Songs Fund, which acquired her song catalog in a deal valued for its inclusion of multi-platinum hits like "Needed Me" and "2 Phones," providing long-term management and revenue optimization for her growing body of work.[16] This agreement underscored her rapid ascent from novice songwriter to industry heavyweight within five years, highlighting the commercial impact of her contributions up to that point.Solo releases and major collaborations
Starrah's first major foray into performing as a lead artist came with the collaborative EP Starrah x Diplo, released on September 22, 2017, via Mad Decent.[17] The five-track project, featuring tracks like "Swerve..." and "Imperfections," blended trap-influenced EDM with alternative R&B elements, marking her shift from behind-the-scenes songwriting to foreground vocals and production.[18] This EP served as a pivotal step, showcasing her versatility while building on her established reputation for crafting hits for artists like Rihanna.[2] Following a period of selective releases, Starrah issued her debut commercial single "How It Goes" on August 12, 2020, signaling her intent to establish a solo presence.[19] This preceded her first full-length studio album, The Longest Interlude, released on March 17, 2021, through Platoon. The 13-track project delved into themes of romantic introspection and emotional vulnerability, with standout cuts like "Made For You" and "Interlude" highlighting her melodic rap-singing hybrid. Production featured high-profile contributors including James Blake on tracks such as "Interlude," Skrillex on "Home Alone," and Nile Rodgers on "Ride," alongside Boi-1da and WondaGurl, creating a lush, genre-blending soundscape rooted in R&B and hip-hop.[20][21][22] In the years following The Longest Interlude, Starrah continued to expand her catalog through targeted singles and features. She collaborated with Skrillex and Four Tet on the house-infused track "Butterflies," released May 10, 2021, via OWSLA/Atlantic, which emphasized euphoric electronic textures. Her next solo single, "222," arrived on February 22, 2022, via Create Music Group, embracing a watery, spiritual vibe tied to the date's numerological significance.[23] More recently, she appeared on Normani's "Big Boy" from the album Dopamine, released June 14, 2024, via RCA Records, delivering playful verses over a trap-soul beat produced by Tommy Brown.[24] In 2025, Starrah featured on "MOMENTUM" alongside Skrillex, Zacari, and ilykimchi, from Skrillex's album FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!!*, released April 1, 2025, via OWSLA/Atlantic, blending high-energy electronic production with rapid-fire flows.[25] Beyond these releases, Starrah has sustained key collaborations with major figures, including contributions to Beyoncé's broader discography through prior work like the 2019 track "Already" on The Lion King: The Gift, while continuing to produce for emerging artists such as Charli XCX on "Dreamer" (2017).[14] Her ongoing partnerships, often with producers like Skrillex, underscore a network that amplifies her eclectic style across pop, R&B, and electronic genres.[2] In 2022, Starrah launched her publishing company, 3:02 Music Group (named after Delaware's area code), through a joint venture with Pulse Music Group, where she serves as CEO.[1] Transitioning from songwriter to lead artist presented notable hurdles for Starrah, including the difficulty of gaining visibility and marketing her personal sound after years of anonymous credits. In interviews, she has highlighted the industry's bias toward recognizing performers over writers, requiring her to rebuild audience connections while navigating promotional demands.[19][26] Despite these obstacles, her strategic releases have gradually solidified her dual role, blending authorship with performance.[2]Artistry
Musical style
Starrah's musical style primarily encompasses pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences, reflecting her ability to fuse hip-hop roots with broader commercial appeal.[8][27] Her work often bridges urban sensibilities with pop structures, as seen in collaborations that integrate rap-sung hooks and syncopated rhythms into chart-topping tracks.[11] Thematic elements in Starrah's output center on empowerment, vulnerability, relationships, and urban experiences, conveyed through introspective lyrics that draw from personal reflections and emotional depth.[2] These motifs explore fleeting connections and self-discovery, emphasizing resilience amid personal challenges like childhood trauma.[11] Sonically, her contributions feature atmospheric synths, trap beats, and catchy melodic hooks, creating layered, hummable soundscapes that blend electronic textures with rhythmic intensity.[11] Examples include her work on Camila Cabello's "Havana," and her solo EP The Longest Interlude, which employs haunting piano riffs and short, electronic-driven interludes for an introspective atmosphere.[2] Starrah's style evolved from early urban-focused work to mainstream pop success, overcoming initial industry hurdles tied to her hip-hop leanings by innovating urban-pop hybrids that garnered billions of streams.[11] Collaborators like producer Cirkut have credited her with pioneering this integration, stating, "She’s brought urban music into pop."[11]Songwriting and production approach
Starrah's songwriting process begins with lyrics, which she prioritizes to capture the emotional core and message of a song before developing melodies or beats.[14] This approach allows her to craft concise, impactful hooks that resonate across genres, as seen in her contributions to major hits. In her collaborative work, Starrah often participates in writers' rooms and studio sessions with artists and producers, co-writing tracks while tailoring her input to the performer's style and persona. However, she asserts strong control over her contributions by insisting on proper songwriting credits, publicly emphasizing the importance of transparency in the industry to ensure recognition for her role. This balance enables her to integrate seamlessly into high-profile projects without diluting her creative voice.[26][11] Starrah employs digital audio workstations such as Fruity Loops (now FL Studio) and Audacity in her production, where she experiments with looping instrumentals and incorporating samples to build tracks. Her technique involves blending electronic elements—like synthesized beats and effects—with organic vocals and instrumentation, such as guitar licks and piano riffs, to create layered, experimental sounds. Influences from producers like Skrillex have shaped this hybrid style, particularly through their collaborations on tracks that fuse pop, electronic, and house influences. This method contributed to her co-writing role on the "Savage Remix" by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, which earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2021.[28][2][14]Personal life
Privacy and public image
Starrah has consistently prioritized privacy throughout her career, largely attributing her aversion to public recognition to her social anxiety. She has expressed discomfort with high-profile events such as red carpets, stating in a 2019 interview that she prefers to remain out of the spotlight to manage her anxiety effectively. This reluctance has shaped her interactions with fame, leading her to decline numerous opportunities for greater visibility despite her contributions to numerous chart-topping hits.[12] Her preference for behind-the-scenes work underscores this approach, allowing her to focus on songwriting and production without the pressures of celebrity culture. Starrah has noted that she entered the music industry for the creative process, not personal acclaim, and she rarely engages with media, having given only a handful of interviews over the years. A notable exception was her 2019 Billboard cover story, where she opened up about her journey from retail work to collaborating with artists like Madonna, emphasizing her desire to let her music speak for itself rather than seeking public persona.[12][11] In profiles from 2021 onward, Starrah's public image has been portrayed as that of a "mad scientist" in the studio, highlighting her experimental and innovative approach to music creation. She has described herself as tinkering in her "lab" with self-taught tools like FruityLoops, distilling complex emotions into hooks for artists including Camila Cabello and Maroon 5. This enigmatic persona, often depicted with obscured or distorted photos to preserve anonymity, reinforces her commitment to privacy while celebrating her as a reclusive genius behind pop's biggest successes.[28] This deliberate low profile has positively impacted her career longevity and mental health, enabling sustained creativity amid industry demands. By avoiding the exhaustive scrutiny of fame, Starrah has maintained a balanced workflow, as seen in her vague but optimistic plans for future touring that account for her anxiety. Her strategy has allowed her to amass over 14 billion streams across co-written tracks without burnout, fostering a resilient professional path that prioritizes well-being over transient celebrity.[2][28]Identity and relationships
Starrah, born Brittany Talia Hazzard, publicly identifies as queer and has been open about her LGBTQ+ identity since at least 2018, when she discussed her experiences as an openly gay songwriter in industry interviews.[29] Her coming out aligns with broader cultural shifts toward visibility for queer artists in hip-hop and pop, where she has highlighted the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to mainstream music. This self-identification intersects with her public life by informing her creative output, as she has noted that her queer perspective shapes the universal appeal of her lyrics.[13] Starrah's queer identity notably influences the themes in her songwriting, often weaving in elements of fluidity and empowerment that reflect personal authenticity and resilience. For instance, she has described injecting her own experiences into collaborations, allowing songs to resonate with diverse audiences through subtle explorations of emotional liberation and self-acceptance. This approach is evident in tracks like Rihanna's "Needed Me," where themes of independence and bold self-expression echo her lived realities as a queer Black woman in a male-dominated field.[13] Her identity also fuels advocacy for underrepresented voices, particularly by calling out homophobia in rap music; in 2018, she tweeted that such attitudes are "corny," emphasizing the irony of artists using her LGBTQ+-authored hooks while perpetuating bias.[30] Through these efforts, Starrah promotes greater inclusion for queer and marginalized creators in the music industry.[29] Information on Starrah's romantic relationships remains limited, as she maintains strict privacy in this area, with no confirmed partners publicly detailed. Despite her rising fame, she has shared that personal connections, including friendships, often take precedence over romantic disclosures. Her family ties provide a grounding contrast to her professional life; as the youngest of nine siblings raised in a small Delaware town, Starrah maintains close bonds with her eight siblings, crediting them for shaping her early musical influences and ongoing support system.[11] This familial closeness underscores how her personal identity fosters a sense of empowerment amid the challenges of public scrutiny, including occasional social anxiety that limits her appearances.[14]Discography
Studio albums
Starrah's debut studio album, The Longest Interlude, was released on March 17, 2021, through 302 Entertainment and distributed by Warner Records.[20] The project marks her transition from a prominent songwriter to a lead artist, featuring 13 tracks that blend experimental R&B with hip-hop elements, exploring themes of volatile relationships and emotional introspection over a runtime of approximately 29 minutes.[27] Production credits include high-profile collaborators such as Skrillex, Nile Rodgers, James Blake, Boi-1da, and Bas, who contributed to various tracks without any guest vocal features, emphasizing Starrah's solo vocal delivery enhanced by Auto-Tune and rhythmic flows.[20][21] The album's tracklist is as follows:| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miss This | Boi-1da, Vinylz | 1:42 |
| 2 | Made For You | James Blake | 3:01 |
| 3 | Make Time | Starrah | 1:37 |
| 4 | Interlude | Skrillex | 2:01 |
| 5 | Home Alone | Boi-1da, Vinylz | 2:40 |
| 6 | 8 Days A Week | Nana Rogues, Bas | 2:29 |
| 7 | 56 Nights | Nana Rogues, Nile Rodgers, Bas | 2:48 |
| 8 | No Love | Skrillex | 2:21 |
| 9 | Love U Again | Boi-1da | 2:35 |
| 10 | Love U Later | Starrah | 2:44 |
| 11 | Sway | James Blake | 2:38 |
| 12 | Star Of The Show | Skrillex | 2:39 |
| 13 | The Longest Interlude | Boi-1da, WondaGurl | 3:00 |
EPs and mixtapes
In 2017, Starrah released her first extended play as a lead artist, a collaborative project with producer Diplo titled Starrah x Diplo, issued via Mad Decent on September 22. The EP emerged from their prior work together on Major Lazer's "Know No Better" and built on Starrah's rising profile as a songwriter, blending her melodic R&B sensibilities with Diplo's electronic and bass-driven production. Announced by Diplo during a Beats 1 Radio interview with Zane Lowe earlier that year, the five-track release was positioned as a showcase for Starrah's vocal and lyrical style, featuring glossy, 808-heavy beats and Auto-Tune-infused hooks.[32] The EP's tracks highlight Starrah's ability to craft intimate, party-ready anthems, with themes of relationships, desire, and nightlife. The tracklist opens with "Zoo," boasting a sticky chorus about squad escapades ("Last night me and my squad went zoo"); followed by "You Know It," emphasizing possessive romance ("You mine and you know it, fine and you know it"); "Swerve," which pairs playful lyrics with a rhythmic, tropical bounce; "Always Come Back," a reflective piece on recurring connections; and closes with "Imperfections," a sultry critique of past lovers with lines like "You can cancel out your ex, and let him know I'm next."[33][32] Critics praised the EP for its cohesive, addictive vibe, creating an insular world of contemporary pop and R&B elements without aiming for mainstream solo dominance. While specific chart positions were limited, the project amplified Starrah's visibility, with tracks like "Imperfections" and "Swerve" gaining streams on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube, contributing to her transition from behind-the-scenes writer to recording artist.[33][34] Prior to this official release, Starrah shared early solo material on SoundCloud during her pre-2017 era, including the 2016 single "Rush" (produced by Retro Future and featuring a remix with Kehlani), though no formal mixtapes were documented.[35]Singles and features
Starrah began releasing singles as a lead artist in the mid-2010s, transitioning from her prominent role as a songwriter to performing her own material. Her early solo efforts laid the groundwork for later releases tied to her debut album The Longest Interlude (2021), while subsequent singles and collaborations highlighted her evolving sound in alternative R&B and electronic influences. Notable tracks include "Low" (2014), produced by Noah "40" Shebib, marking her initial foray into leading vocals; "Rush" (2016, with remix feat. Kehlani); "Dirty Diana" (2016); and "Codeine Cowgirl" (2018).[36][35][37][38] In 2020, Starrah issued "How It Goes" on August 12 via Create Music Group, serving as the lead single for her upcoming album and showcasing her melodic, introspective style.[19] Later that year, she released "Keep Calm" as a standalone single. The following year brought "Butterflies," a collaborative single with Skrillex and Four Tet, released on May 10 through OWSLA and Atlantic Records, blending house elements with her signature vocals. Also in 2021, "Miss This" served as a single from The Longest Interlude. In 2022, she dropped "222" on February 22 via Create Music Group, timed to the palindromic date and emphasizing themes of alignment and spirituality. Starrah's most recent lead single, "MOMENTUM" featuring ilykimchi (with additional contributions from Skrillex and Zacari), was released on April 1, 2025, as part of Skrillex's surprise album Fck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol But Ur Not* via OWSLA and Atlantic Records. This track fuses high-energy production with her ethereal delivery, continuing her pattern of genre-blending collaborations.[39] As a featured artist, Starrah has appeared on select tracks, often providing prominent vocals that complement the lead performer's style. An early example is her guest spot on Charli XCX's "Dreamer" (featuring Raye) from the 2017 mixtape Number 1 Angel, released via Asylum Records, where her ad-libs added a layer of pop-R&B texture. In 2023, she featured on Skrillex's "Good Space" from the album Quest For Fire, released via OWSLA and Atlantic Records. In 2024, she featured on Normani's "Big Boy" from the album Dopamine, released June 13 via RCA Records.[40][41]| Year | Title | Lead Artist(s) | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Low | Starrah | Independent | Produced by Noah "40" Shebib; debut solo single |
| 2016 | Rush | Starrah | Independent | Produced by Retro Future; SoundCloud release |
| 2016 | Dirty Diana | Starrah | Independent | Standalone single |
| 2018 | Codeine Cowgirl | Starrah | Kids Eat First / Starrah Inc. | Standalone single |
| 2020 | How It Goes | Starrah | Create Music Group | Lead single for The Longest Interlude |
| 2020 | Keep Calm | Starrah | Create Music Group | Standalone single |
| 2021 | Butterflies | Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet | OWSLA/Atlantic | Collaborative house track |
| 2021 | Miss This | Starrah | Create Music Group | From The Longest Interlude |
| 2022 | 222 | Starrah | Create Music Group | Released on 2/22/22 |
| 2025 | MOMENTUM (feat. ilykimchi) | Skrillex, Zacari & Starrah | OWSLA/Atlantic | From Skrillex's surprise album |
| Year | Title | Lead Artist(s) | Album | Label | Chart/Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Dreamer (feat. Starrah & Raye) | Charli XCX | Number 1 Angel | Asylum | Mixtape track |
| 2023 | Good Space (feat. Starrah) | Skrillex | Quest For Fire | OWSLA/Atlantic | Album track |
| 2024 | Big Boy (feat. Starrah) | Normani | Dopamine | RCA | Album track |