You may have heard her called the “Young Feminist Phenomenon,” (from her rap label) or “The Young Harlem Phenomenon” (from her movie poster). If not, you should get to know her. She’s young (16), she raps (since she was 9!), she sings, she acts (currently starring as Jessica on “The Electric Company”), she dances, and she definitely reps for the young ladies. Her life seems really sweet, but it hasn’t always been this way.
P.Star (real name Priscilla) grew up poor, in a single-parent household after her HIV-positive mom left when she was only three. Her dad raised P. Star and her older sister as best he could, but when he couldn’t find work, they struggled —food stamps, homeless shelters, all that. When P. Star was nine, she decided she wanted to rap and has been grinding ever since to make it happen. I went to see a movie about her life, called “P. Star Rising,” where she really lets everyone see how she lives- the good (recording, touring, performing) and the bad (fights with her father, trying to find her mother, really struggling to make it). I wanted to get to know more about her, so I reached out and met up with her at one of her recording sessions last year.
In the studio with P. Star.
Here’s what I know- she’s very friendly in person, tiny, and matter-of-fact. She’s not ashamed or embarrassed about her struggles (in fact, she hopes that other teens going through similar things will know that she can relate) and she’s not in any rush to grow up. She’s happy just being a teenager and living out her life.
How do you balance work and school?
I am home-schooled and have been since about the sixth grade. When I started doing the hip-hop thing I was in fourth or fifth grade and it got very difficult for me at school because I was going out to clubs at night and I was tired during the day. I didn’t want to fail because my dad would kill me. And a lot of people were getting to know me because of MTV’s Made, and people bothered me at school. So I was just like maybe we should do this home schooling thing, this tutoring thing, so I can have time of my own as well.
What’s your personal life like?
My career is like my personal life because honestly, I have a great time with what I do. But of course I have a personal life — going out to the movies, hanging out with friends, talking, chatting, all those kinds of things. My dad lets me have my personal time but there’s always time for work.
You’re already on a TV show. What’s the “Electric Company” about?
“The Electric Company” is a TV show on PBS. I’m one of the main characters and I got into that when I was 13. We did a pilot, they picked up the show, they liked who I was, and they wanted to keep me a part of the cast. The whole show is just absolutely amazing. The Electric Company was an old show back in the 1970s. [When] we brought it back, [it became this] whole new modern, urban world, and it brings these kids out to music, dance, and learning, which is
what’s so great about it.
What’s next for you?
Because of this movie, we’re still traveling and doing a lot of promotion and premieres. We also have the soundtrack for the movie, P. Star Rising, which is pretty exciting. We also have this new type of sound that P. Star has that not a lot of [established] fans are familiar with. I’m excited to get [both] the album and that sound out and have kids come along with me and just to make a bigger fan base.
Track Master.
What’s it like being to young and being able to do something you love already?
It’s a blessing. God has blessed me with a talent and a great gift, and with opportunities. A lot of doors have opened and I actually got to take that opportunity and do what I wanted to do. So I really have to say that I’m blessed, it’s amazing and I don’t take anything for granted.
Any advice for other teens?
Honestly, I have to say that dreams are kind of like wishes. Dreams are whatever you want them to be. and as long as you’re dedicated to it, as long as you know what you want, don’t give up. Don’t give up. Whatever anybody says to you, that you’re wack or corny or whatever, don’t believe that. Everyone has their own creativity and thats what’s so important nowadays. Do what you have to do. Don’t stop.
Homegirl NYC 