Noted as one of the “Top 100 Hip Hop/Pop Artists in the World” by Chartmetric, Star2 began his life in a Thai refugee camp. His Ka-ren people have been in a 60-year Civil War in Myanmar where his family fled to the camp before he was born. Subsequently abandoned as an infant by his 13-year-old mother, Star2 and his grandmother and her four children won a citizenship lottery in the camp and were granted refugee status in the US, ultimately relocating to San Diego, California.
Star2 discovered rap, hip hop music and gang life in a Section 8 neighborhood in South East San Diego. A chance meeting with Grammy nominated producer Chico Bennett launched his career. A prolific melodic hip hop vocalist, Star2 specializes in heartbreak ballads, but also addresses depression, trauma, street life and childhood dreams.
He has collaborated with an impressive array of artists, including Soulja Boy, Mozzy, Lil Poppa, Luh Kel, HoodTrophy Bino, $tupid Young and Sprite from Thailand. In addition, rap artists who are his Ka-ren brothers from refugee camps – Chinatown Runner, Ler Mu Dex, Eh La, Tae Tae, Gee Kade, and M Bless. Star2 has traveled back to Thailand to bring aid to the nine refugee camps on the Myanmar border. He has performed for rebel troops Myanmar and for Ka-ren New Year in Bangkok.
His next project will showcase Ka-ren artists. He is dedicated to telling his people’s story to the greater world.
