Brittany Talia Hazzard,[1] professionally known as Starrah, is an American songwriter, singer, and rapper from Delaware.[2] Best known for her songwriting work for other music industry artists, Starrah has co-written three singles that peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100: "Havana" for Camila Cabello in 2017, "Girls Like You" for Maroon 5 the following year, and "Savage Remix" for Megan Thee Stallion (featuring Beyoncé) in 2020;[3] the latter won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.[4] In addition, she has co-written songs that have peaked within the top 20 of the chart: Rihanna's "Needed Me," Normani's "Wild Side" (featuring Cardi B), Halsey's "Now or Never," Kevin Gates' "2 Phones," Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne's "No Frauds," and Drake's "Fake Love."
Starrah | |
|---|---|
 Starrah in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brittany Talia Hazzard |
| Also known as | Starrah |
| Born | June 14, 1990 |
| Origin | Delaware, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Mad Decent |
Her album credits include Travis Scott's Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2017), Calvin Harris's Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2018)—including the top 20 single "Feels" featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, and Big Sean—Nicki Minaj's Queen (2018), and Madame X (2018) by Madonna.
As a recording artist, Starrah signed with Diplo's Mad Decent record label to release an eponymous collaborative project with the producer (titled Starrah x Diplo) in 2017. She released her debut commercial single, "How It Goes" on August 12, 2020, which preceded the release of her debut studio album, The Longest Interlude (2021).[3]
Early life and career
editStarrah grew up in Delaware as the youngest of nine siblings.[5] She has stated that she "grew up in the ghetto" and has written lyrics about police raids she experienced as a child.[5][6] Her songwriting grew from writing short stories and poems.[7] She attended Delaware State University and moved to Los Angeles after graduation to pursue a music career.[5][6] After a period of uploading music to SoundCloud and selling samples through Instagram, a manager in the industry reached out to her.[7] He connected her to more songwriters which led to Starrah writing "Be Real" by Kid Ink in 2015, which reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7]
In 2016, Starrah wrote several songs that became top 40 hits. "2 Phones" by Kevin Gates reached double platinum status.[8] Rihanna's single "Needed Me" reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 42 weeks on the chart.[8]
On September 22, 2017, Starrah released a joint EP with producer Diplo titled Starrah x Diplo.[9]
In April 2019, Starrah formed a partnership with Hipgnosis Songs Fund.[10][11] She worked closely with Madonna for her 2019 album Madame X, writing on six tracks.[6]
Starrah released her debut single "How It Goes" on August 12, 2020.[12][3]
Artistry
editStarrah stated that she writes lyrics first, and then finds a melody and production to fit them.[5][6] In her early career, she was sometimes turned away from studio sessions for being "too urban", but later found success with urban crossover into mainstream pop music.[5]
Personal life
editDue to a mixture of social anxiety and wishes for privacy, Starrah avoids being photographed and recognized in public.[5][6] Starrah identifies as queer.[5][13]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- 2021: The Longest Interlude
EP
edit- Starrah x Diplo (with Diplo) (2017)
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit- 2014
- Starrah – "Low" prod. Noah "40" Shebib
- 2016
- Starrah – "Rush / Rush (Remix)" featuring Kehlani
- Starrah – "Dirty Diana"
- 2017
- Starrah and Diplo – "Imperfections"
- Starrah and Diplo – "Swerve"
- 2018
- Starrah – "Codeine Cowgirl" prod. Aleksei
- 2020
- Starrah – "How It Goes" prod. June Nawakii
- Starrah – "Keep Calm"
- 2021
- Starrah - "Miss This"
- Skrillex, Starrah and Four Tet – "Butterflies"
As featured artist / guest appearances
edit- 2015
- Kid Ink featuring Starrah – "Blowin' Swishers Part. 2"
- Jeremih featuring Starrah – "Pass Dat"
- The Weeknd featuring Starrah and Jeremih – "Pass Dat (Remix)"
- G-Eazy featuring Starrah – "Order More"
- 2016
- Belly featuring Starrah – "It's All Love"
- Travis Scott with Young Thug featuring Quavo – "Pick Up the Phone" (Additional vocals)
- Cashmere Cat featuring Starrah, 2 Chainz, and Tory Lanez – "Throw Myself a Party"
- The Weeknd – "True Colors" (Additional vocals)
- 2017
- Charli XCX featuring Starrah and Raye – "Dreamer"
- Big Sean featuring Eminem – "No Favors" (Additional vocals)
- Big Sean – "Jump Out the Window" (Additional vocals)
- Big Sean featuring Starrah and Flint Chozen Choir – "Bigger Than Me"
- Calvin Harris featuring Young Thug, Pharrell Williams and Ariana Grande – "Heatstroke" (Additional background vocals)
- Halsey – "Now or Never" (Additional vocals)
- Kid Ink featuring Starrah – "No Strings"
- Major Lazer featuring Quavo, Travis Scott and Camila Cabello – "Know No Better" (Background vocals)
- Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug – "Havana" (Additional vocals)
Songwriting credits
editReferences
edit- ^ "Credits / Charli XCX / Number 1 Angel". Tidal. March 10, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- ^ "Meet Starrah, The Hit Songwriter Who Has Her Own Summer Anthem". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ a b c Zidel, Alex (August 12, 2020). "Starrah Releases Debut Single "How It Goes"". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ "Brittany Hazzard". GRAMMY.com. April 22, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Coscarelli, Joe (December 28, 2017). "Why Every Pop Star Wants a Piece of Starrah". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c d e Hockley-Smith, Smith (June 13, 2019). "How Starrah Went From Working Retail to Writing For Madonna". Billboard.
- ^ a b c Lyle, Ashley (April 6, 2017). "Starrah, the Hitmaker Behind Songs From Drake, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, Is Ready For the Spotlight". Billboard.
- ^ a b Phillips, Yoh (December 7, 2016). "Meet Starrah, the Songwriter Behind Drake, Travis & Rihanna's Biggest 2016 Hits". DJ Booth.
- ^ Bein, Kat (September 22, 2017). "Starrah & Diplo's New EP Is Full of Slow Rumble Sensuality". Billboard.
- ^ Stassen, Murray (April 23, 2019). "Hipgnosis Songs Fund Acquires Catalog From Camila Cabello Co-Writer Starrah". Music Business Worldwide.
- ^ Paine, Andre (April 23, 2019). "Hipgnosis acquires Starrah catalogue". Music Week.
- ^ Angermiller, Michele Amabile (August 11, 2020). "Hitmaker Starrah Releases Debut Single as a Solo Artist". Variety.
- ^ Darville, Jordan (January 18, 2018). "Starrah on homophobic rappers: "Their hooks be written by me and I'm LGBT af"". The Fader.