Rebel Starr

Progressive quantam hip-hop for the New Year. That’s how you define Rebel Starr, which isn’t easy—bordering on funk soul and trance-hop. Respectively consisting of Back Wordz, from New York, and Likwuid, from South Carolina, the duo believe in pushing boundaries and making a difference with their words. Foregoing their individual accomplishments from street battles, emcee challenges and underground showcases, the two decided to join forces and take on the music industry as a tandem. Often compared to the likes of Jean Grae, Mos Def, and Outkast, the pair have performed throughout the East Coast; opening for a myriad of artists like Bow Wow, Lyfe Jennings, and Talib Kweli. Rebel Starr recently released their first promotional EP entitled “Rebel Starr presents Adventures in the Boondocks,” which pushes sonic barriers beyond expectations. If you didn’t know … well, you know the rest.

-Jason Parham - URB Magazine

I wanna thank my man MIDIMarc for turning me onto this duo. All I can say is this is some really dope music… a must to check out. If you’re feeling their music, go to Urb.com and vote for Rebel Starr in Urb’s Next 1000.

http://kevinnottingham.com/myblog/2009/01/24/rebel-starr-adventures-in-boondocks/ - KevinNottingham.com

Rebel Starr, first I want to say For me this interview was highly anticipated because after listening to your LP "Adventures in the Boondocks" I was highly entertained.


Back Wordz: Thank you, we appreciate that.


Likwuid: Muchas gracias. As creative beings, we value our craft, but we also value having the listener enjoy our creative expressions. It's always a celebration with Rebel Starr.


When creating a project such as this does it help the listener if they're Fans of the show "The Boondocks" or can anyone who enjoys good music listen to this joint?

BW: We def, geared it so that if you liked The Boondocks then you will Love the CD, but the music is not esoteric to fans of the show

Likwuid: If you are a fan of the Boondocks, you will LOVE this EP, if you aren't a fan, you'll probably become a fan after hearing Rebel Starr Adventures in the Boondocks.


BW: Yeah I think Arron Mcgudger owes Rebel Starr a check!

What Makes Rebel Starr Different from any artist on the underground scene right now?

Likwuid: Nas said it best "there's no idea new under the sun, it's never what you do, but how it's done." Rebel Starr is the group that's willing to undo what is seen as the "norm" for hip hoppers, and DO things OUR way. Right now, fashion is running hip hop. Everyone is talking about "swagga and style", a couple of years before that everyone wanted to make up a dance, rewind even further than that and everyone wanted to be a gangster. Too many artists dwell in the NOW- (i.e.) what's hot, now, what shoes are hot, now, what beats are hot, now? That's THEIR focus, we are different because we live in the past and the future simultaneously. Right now, a lot of people proclaim to be the "new this" or a blend of "this rapper with a touch of that rapper"...We strive to do ONE THING...make TIMELESS MUSIC. We (Rebel Starr) are truly neo-quantum-retro-beings...traveling between the past and the future with no intention of ever being stuck in the present. And the quote says it best "If you're not the future, then you are history."

BW: Yeah and on top of all of That We're just being US! We're not TRYING to be different we're not TRYING at all, we May make conscious decisions not to follow trends but these decisions springs from our natural Aquarian rebellious instinct. It's, Like the a great Philosopher of our time said " We the best! who? We N***a", na I'm just playin. But we don't go out of our way. We're by no means reaching. It just so happens we are limited editions, Only two ever made in the world. Get em now while supplies last.


I recently met you in person and from what I gathered in that meeting you two are very humble and very easy to talk to, do you believe that Humility is missing from the music game as of late with the firecracker success of some underground artist lately?

BW: Our Humility, or perception there of, comes from the fact that we are not by any means in competition with anyone. We can coexist comfortably as artists and fans of the music. If you're good that doesn't make me wack, and if you're wack that doesn't make me good. So I enjoy what and who I like and I encourage those who may not have fully developed their talent yet, but nevertheless have the courage to get out and chase their dream. We aren't here to hate on anyone, Just to make Timeless music. And I'm not out to be better than you, I'm trying to be better than ME! But to each, there own, What ever motivates you.


Likwuid: Yeah, what the boy afro said. Arrogance is a poison for the vain and a comfort for the insecure. We are aware that we are talented, but we are also aware that there is always someone more and less gifted than us. We are greatful for what we have and what we shall attain, but we know that life can change at any minute.


Explain if you can the joints "The Real" and "About U" because these joints have some real powerful lyrics(The whole joint has powerful lyrics but these are my favs).


BW: I don't really like to Spell out my lyrics or songs for the fans, I think half of the enjoyment of the record is how the listener interprets it, I'd like to know what they think each song is about. I will however agree and say those are two of my personal favorites as well.


Likwuid: "The Real" is our take on Big Brother and the phenom that George Orwell in spoke about in the book 1984, which is the cause for what's occurring on our television sets across the country. And "About U", is one of my favorite Rebel Starr tracks period. That song will actually be on our album slated for release in 2009 (currently untitled). "About U" is the 'I told u so track'. That's the song that every emcee wants to sing to all the doubters after your album is released...this is the track that every athlete wants to play for all the haters after the championship game...this is the theme music for the student that gets his diploma after all the naysayers said it wasn't possible. It's like, you want to tell someone how they did you wrong, but you won't even give them the satisfaction of being acknowledged!!!! Man, I love Rebel Starr.


You have a lot of great and big named producers on the underground scene contributing to this project and the remix "Look What I Can Do" has a lot of well known artist collabs such as Kween Kash, and DZL.How did you go about searching and gathering the names for this awesome project?

Likwuid: The producer for that track, CED L YOUNG out of Atlanta is actually signed to DJ Toomps production team. He is amazing and we are blessed to be able to work with Ced. Our chemistry is crazy. Ced is our Dre when Dre works with Snoop, he's our Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam when they work with Janet, he's our Swizz when Swizz works with DMX, he's our Toomp when Toomp works with T.I. We just fit! And everybody on that remix track is an artist that we respect on various levels.


BW: Our Collaborations are never forced or based on Politics. We let those connections happen naturally. Anybody who works with Rebel Starr is someone we appreciate as an artist in their craft.


What other artist out do you consider Definitely Amazing?

BW: Likwuid Stylez! and Definitely not... Na I'm not going to start the Drama, yet. On the real though, there needs to be more of a spotlight on the Definitely Amazing Female Emcees out in the underground.
Hip Hops becoming a sausage fest!

Likwuid: Yeah, my Twin is amazing! I'm also feeling Janelle Monae and Tegan and Sara. I've also been a fan of Hedonis da Amazon for a minute. I've been reading various publications about the "new school of hip hop" and they fail to name any women. It's A LOT of talent out there; and like Lyte said in the Source, "there's going to be a resurgence" of emcees that happen to be non men.(http://www. thesource. com/2008/10/women-in-hip-hop-stand-up/#more-2067 .. )

BW: Also someone needs to do a story on how the Women in Hip Hop age so Gracefully! Have you seen MC Lyte, Yo Yo, Salt and Pepa Hell even Roxanne Shante.


Anything else you would like your audience and the DA audience to know about you and upcoming projects?

Likwuid: Rebel Starr loves you and we WILL be seeing you soon.


BW: You can download "Rebel Starr Presents Adventures in The Boondocks" for free on our Myspace at http://www. Myspace/rebelstarrmusic, Oh and to those, you know, Those close minded folks, Rebel Starr got something to say and that's all Ima say!

Likwuid: Oh yeah, and book us for your next party or event...we do weddings, birthdays, bachelorette parties, bar-b-ques, baby showers...Holla at us 347.622.8347X! - Definitelyamazing.blogspot.com

On this edition of Rise Up Radio:Oprah campaigns for Barack Obama and Rise Up Radio predicts an early win for Obama. Thanks Opublicrats! Also, Crazy Leeland, holds up Hillary Clinton's Rochester headquarters. The Indypendent reports startling New York City public school statistics.
We're joined in studio with Rebel Starr, this month's Local Celebrity guests. Hailing from Queens and Brooklyn via the Dirty South they bring us the real nouveau chic Hip Hop. Back Wordz and Likwuid don't the sacrifice the party when they drop their chilled rhymes and beats on their new singles: "Look What I can Do" and "Rims and Chains". Click below to listen to the show featuring two more unreleased singles by Rebel Starr! Download their singles at myspace.com/rebelstarrmusic - Rise Up Radio