Typically, when you picture a hopeless romantic — who’s really into love songs, love stories, and rom coms — you think of girls; often young girls, but rarely guys. But guys possess that soft, intimate quality too, and they also dream of love and romance.
Star2, a rising hip-hop artist with top pop hit, “Thinkin Bout You” with over a million views on WorldStar Hip Hop, on Instagram’s Trending Songs playlist, Rap Caviar’s Top 50 Videos, Australia and Belgium’s Top 50 Hits 2022, 50+ YouTube Videos, over 1 million Spotify Streams, and growing critical acclaim, is a tough guy who grew up in a refugee camp and then in the inner-city streets of San Diego. In spite of that…or possibly because of it…he’s never been afraid to show his sensitive side and has connected with a large male fan base inspired to do the same. “Dudes can be romantic too,” says Star2. He has a devoted following of teenage through twenty-something males, who love his romantic songs. “Guys outwatch females on all my love song videos,” he reveals. They also make “couples” Tik Toks to his songs, lament not having a girlfriend on his video comments, and emulate his fashion style.
Guy fans also applaud his YouTube vlog, The Adventures of Star2 (“AOSTAR2”). Incidentally, in AOSTAR2, he does a lot that is typically associated with females: he cooks, and learns to make gourmet meals, goes shopping, he buys jewelry. But don’t get it twisted — he also plays soccer, goes deep sea fishing, goes snowboarding, and boxes. AOSTAR2 extends his charm and adventurous nature and fans comment that “It would be fun to hang out with you.” These male fans admire and connect with Star2’s sincerity and romantic side, showing that boys can be tender too.
Born in a Thai refugee camp because of military attacks on his Ka-ren people in Myanmar, Star2 moved to San Diego with his grandmother and grew up singing to Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. “Break-up songs are my specialty, but I also love writing songs about how the love story starts.” In fact, Star2’s first EP, released in 2021, was named “Love Story” and contained three tunes chronicling the brighter side of love: “Give Me Your Heart,” “If U Want 2,” and Tell Me Thatchu” — along with three more tunes about the darker side: “Missin U,” “WTF is Love,” and “Hollup Gurl.”
Although his upcoming “Real Life” EP gets gritty about the camp and San Diego streets, there are still plenty of songs about love. “December,” his reggae-based single, displays his longing for love to get him through the long, cold winter, while his latest mega hit, “Thinkin Bout You,” features acoustic guitar and beautifully crafts a picture of that playful, “butterflies” kind of new love…the kind that consumes you, delights you, and delivers the addictive high. Both tunes are warm and vulnerable. “I Wanna Get F’d Up,” featuring superstar Luh Kel, is the first release on the EP. It delves into the pain and despair of relationship betrayal and that ultimate breakup.
Katy Perry examined the teenage dream through the lens of a girl – appealing to young female fans. Star2 does the same, but from male perspective. An extremely versatile artist who truly bares his soul, Star2 invites the approximately thirty million U.S. boys and young men (as well as the millions of other young males throughout the world) into his “Thinkin Bout You” romantic teenage dream.