Star2 Releases Captivating New Single "By My Side” ft. Ler Mu Dex

From refugee camps to global stages 

Star2 and Ler Mu Dex share a powerful story rooted in resilience and hope. Both artists were born in refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, Star2 in Mae La and Ler Mu Dex in Mae Ra Moe. In 2025, they returned to those very camps, delivering food, treats, and joy to children still living under difficult conditions. For Ler Mu Dex, it was an especially emotional homecoming - his first visit back to Mae Ra Moe in over 15 years, where his brother still resides.

Their new single “By My Side” is a heartfelt ode to loyalty and those who stand with us through everything. Sweet yet bold, it blends tenderness with the rappers’ signature style and swagger. The accompanying music video, filmed in Thailand, radiates culture and nostalgia, with a vintage warmth that mirrors quiet afternoons spent with someone special.

Through raw storytelling and high-profile collaborations with rap heavyweights like Soulja Boy, Mozzy, Luh Kel, HoodTrophy Bino, $tupid Young, and Sprite, Star2 has built a powerful voice in hip-hop, earning millions of streams and placements on editorial playlists like Apple’s Cloud Rap and Fresh Finds R&B.

Star2 began his life in a Thai refugee camp where he was forced to flee genocide from the Burmese army in Myanmar who burned his village to the ground. A lottery in the camp brought him to San Diego with his grandmother and her four children, where he began a new life. Now, under the mentorship of esteemed producer Chico Bennett, his collaborations with acclaimed rappers include Soulja Boy, $tupid Young, Mozzy, MBNel, Luh Kel, Lil Poppa, HoodTrophy Bino, YSN Flow, and MarMar Oso to name a few. While not on tour, he documents his journey in the popular 'Adventures of Star2' series on YouTube. As an influential figure in Asian-American music, Star2 entwines heartfelt stories with captivating visuals, chronicling a tale of resilience and ascent. Esteemed platforms like Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, GQ, HotNewHipHop, Ones to Watch, BET, and Lyrical Lemonade, among others, have celebrated his contributions.

Connect:

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

 

Views: 18

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Atmosphere
Friday, Feb 13 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Kamaiyah
Saturday, Mar 14 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Juvenile
Friday, June 5 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Connect

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
3 hours ago
realmuzik posted a discussion

Cole Lumpkin Moves With the Music, Letting Life Shape Every Note

Cole Lumpkin doesn’t create from a distance. He creates from inside the moment. As a New York City native, his artistry reflects motion, curiosity, and constant self-interrogation. Music for Lumpkin isn’t something you step into once everything is figured out. It’s something you carry with you, refine on the move, and allow to grow alongside real life. A self-taught…See More
22 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
yesterday
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
yesterday
Zofia P updated their profile
Sunday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted videos
Friday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

THROWBACK (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) featuring Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist at Hello Stranger Bar, Oakland

March 11, 2026 at 9pm to July 8, 2026 at 1:45am
WEDNESDAY, MAR 11 THROWBACK (2nd & 4th Wednesdays)Experience the ultimate Throwback party! 🎵 Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist spins all your fave jams from back in the day! 🕺 Featuring Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist (True Skool)at Hello Stranger Bar, 1724 Broadway, Oakland. Doors 8pm. DJ Set starts at 9pm. No cover!RSVP:…See More
Friday
realmuzik posted a discussion

“They Tried to Bury Me” — Wadena Drops ‘Bum Busta’ With Grammy Winner Zaytoven After Decade-Long Industry Feud, Brain Injury Recovery & Father’s Death

As Black History Month closes and Women’s History Month begins, a comeback story rooted in resilience, loss, and legacy is unfolding.The industry might want to pay attention.R&B singer Wadena has officially stepped back into the spotlight with her new single “Bum Busta,” produced by Grammy-winning Atlanta heavyweight Zaytoven — and the early numbers are turning…See More
Friday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Prentice Grant: From Vauxhall to Legacy — The Rise of an Independent Hip-Hop Force

The first time Prentice Grant realized music could change his life, he was just a kid in Vauxhall, New Jersey, staring at the TV. Two kids not much older than him were on the screen — backwards clothes, fearless energy, commanding the world. It was Kris Kross performing “Jump.”And in that moment, something clicked.It wasn’t just the beat.It wasn’t just the crowd.It was the power.From that day forward, Prentice didn’t just listen to hip-hop — he became it.He sharpened his pen studying legends.…See More
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Thursday

© 2026   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service