Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Star. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Star thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
From as far back as I can remember. I believe many people share a dream where they can do what they love to do and its accepted by the masses. I’ve always loved music. Music rocks my soul-especially Reggae music. This guy that you know-Star-I’ve always had a strong desire to play music for people. As a kid, I would make tapes and cds for friends and family. I would dj little parties here and there. I love to share MY LOVE of the music with people. Elohim has worked it out in my favor to make sure of it.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a selector (which many refer to as a dj) for Starliner Sounds. In Reggae music, selectors are what most people refer to as djs. Djs are people that chant/toast/talk on the mic….like an MC, but for Reggae. I’m 38 years of age. Even before I was a thought in this realm, I’ve been rocking to Reggae music. My love for Reggae has brought me to where I am today; from the amount of music I’ve collected to being on the radio. It was around 2016 when I really started taking my sound seriously. The close people around me urged me to make sure people hear what I have. They would tell me they wished this music was played in clubs. I tried playing in clubs, but I don’t think that was for me (nor the crowd). Most people go to the club with the intention to dance. People don’t often dance to Reggae. They may skank to it, but not dance. Dancehall is more for the club. I’m a roots and lovers guy. My mentor at the time always gave me proper guidance through my every step.
I traveled to Cincinnati, OH in early 2018. I was shocked to see how much Reggae is loved and appreciated there. I was invited to come play. While there, the host of the event was interviewed and he brought me along. I met Sis Kaya-a very well respected Selectress in the area. I remember one night I received a message from her and she asked me had I ever considered going into radio. She told me “Star, if you want to take this sound thing, it takes serious dedication.”. My mentor told me the same.
It wasn’t too long after that, the Stars would align so that Mike Mannix (another dj at WXNA) and I would cross paths at a record store. I can’t remember vividly how the conversation went, but we somehow touched on Reggae. He mentioned that there used to be a Reggae dj down at the station. It just so happened that I knew this guy, a friend of mine. Mike and I exchanged emails. He told me to send him an email and if I didn’t he would bother me, lol! I looked at it as an opportunity to be heard….and in a different setting.
I think it’s safe to say I create and restore memories with music. The creation-teaching people of music that they may have never heard. The restoration-having people relive memories of the good days. Nothing makes me feel better than when someone reaches out to me and tells me that they forgot about a song until I played it, or that the last time they heard a particular song was before they came to the US.
I bring Reggae to the people…….”STRICTLY” Reggae. If one were to ask me what I think separates me from many, it’s that I stick to Reggae. I try not to boast with the music. I share the music. Reggae is so deep and defined by eras.
What makes me the proudest is when I notice people are taking mental notes of the music, my tastes in the music, or they’ve done further research on artists I’ve introduced them to. I’m proud of the movement of Starliner Sounds. I’m proud that Nashville has received my show well. I’m proud that I, just a man from Sierra Leone who has grown up on the music, is now in a position where I get to meet and converse with legendary artists who have contributed heavily to Reggae. I’m proud that I’m about to share the music, whether from SoundCloud (Starliner Sounds) or IG (@starlinersounds).
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes I. It’s to be heard. When the masses hear Starliner Sounds, they will instantly know the power and fullness of Reggae……even African music and Soca. Starliner Sounds will be known as something CULTURAL. In everything I do, I just have a desire to be heard more. It will fall into the right hands and play in the right ears. I do it with and for passion, seeking nothing of vanity. El Elyon rewards me. I want to be playing in front of large crowds any and everywhere possible. The music is wanted-people-just don’t always know where to find it. Starliner Sounds is and forever will be a hub for that.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Always give Caesar his praise. Before I answer this, I must give praises to my brother, Patrick Idoye (@eidoye on IG). He’s always pushed me to do greater things with my music. On his IG he shares record clips from many genres, educating people of music. He advised me to do so and I began doing it in 2017 I believe. Now, how I build my audience? I just stuck to what I know. I stuck to my passion. I stuck to Roots Reggae music. I have a lot of music. I try to share what I have. I try to teach. I always remain humble enough to learn. I show love to other selectors who are doing the same. I try to encourage those who I see that are beginning. After all we’re one big family. My IG following is used for promotion and sharing the music. Find your notches and stick to it. If you build it will, they will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/StarlinerSounds?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=94064e4f-94dd-4a20-8139-435534a64487
- Instagram: @starlinersounds
- Facebook: Starliner Sounds
- Other: Email address: [email protected] Reggae University-Wednesday from 9-11pm on 101.5 FM in Nashville or wxnafm.org online.
Image Credits
RoPalmer Photography (the picture where I’m wearing all black, sitting in the couch.