Each verse is riddled with movie and actor references, in theme with the title of “STAR” the group expresses their “desire” to be famous.
Not only is this an expression of a desire to be famous, but this is also about owning one’s own signature style. This signature is the source of fame and success, themes that BROCKHAMPTON raps about. Each name drop punctuates a series of extraordinary characteristics or actions for a strong ethos and pathos appeal in expressing a transformative collage of signature styles.
The outro is called “Perf” and is featured in the music video but not the album. It was produced by group member Jabari Manwa.
During the finale episode of American Boyfriend 1st season, Dom McLennon said:
“Jabari was playing a beat in the living room. I was in my room, just chilling. And I was, like, “Yo, it would be mad funny if, like, for of all our verses, all we did was just name-drop. Then Ameer comes in, like, the black Tom Hanks thing. It was a great time.“
In an interview on Pigeons & Planes, Ameer Vann said:
“[Dom] wrote his verse first, and I thought, ‘[He] can’t have the best verse,’ so we just went back and forth and back and forth until we got those two verses.“
From a 2019 interview with Shia Labeouf on i-D:
Shia Labeouf: The brotherhood you built first on the internet and then actualized. Looking back, is there one moment where you felt it click?
Kevin Abstract: When we released “Star”. Making that song was a magical moment. I was just listening to it on a loop in my room and then I realized that we’d figured something out. We’d figured out our formula. I wanna get away from that in a way though, I want to find the new formula now.
STAR
BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel like Matthew McConaughey
I don't care for what they gotta say
Tony Perkis how I drop the weight
Jason Bourne with the headshot
Jason Statham with the whip game
Liam Neeson with the rescue
I go Gunnar with the leather face
Bruce Campbell with the chains
Tobin Bell with the saw
Anthony Hopkins, I'm eatin' 'em raw
They don't know who we are
Molly Shannon I'm a superstar
Ride or die like it's sea biscuit
Tryna stack like Tobey
John Wick, I don't leave a witness
Chris Paul, I'm assistin'
Ameer going Blake Griffin
Give me forty-eight minutes
We go '04 Pistons
Catch a fade like Robert Horry
Only time to get the spotlight
Deray how I'm top flight
Go Obama when I drop mics
I'm the black Tom Hanks
You can call me nigga Banks
Secret Agent Cody Banks
Quarter pound of the dank
On the scale and it stank
Throwin' mama in a range
I just bought a new Wraith
Nic Cage with the face off
John Travolta when I take off
Brad Pitt, start a fight club
Turn the trap into the nightclub
I'm like Prince with the white doves
Paint a picture with the white dust
Lionel Ritchie with the white bitch
Try to tell it to her nicely, but she never wanna listen
Beat the pussy to submission
Tom Cruise on a mission
Pull a RnB singer, bring her back to South Central
I shine just like a popstar, MJ my initial
Kobe Bryant with the spin moves
If these niggas got issues, H-town with Beyonce
Turn her to my prom date
King pin like Jay Z, dance moves like J.T
Heath Ledger with some dreads
I just gave my nigga head
Standing on my two legs
Fuck what that nigga done said
Bruh, I don't fuck with no white boys
Less the nigga Shawn Mendes
I been off and I been dead
Bad as hell, I don't bench press
High school, they ain't fuck with me
Now the critics don't fuck with me
My own fam ain't fuck with me
But Viceland did fuck with me
I'm the only popstar with no money
Can't drive, so I'm still running
Uber takin' all my show money
But that's okay, I got more money
Not enough to get my teeth fixed
So my boyfriend in the street, bitch
In the moonlight I get seasick
Did ya see all that, all that we did?
Did all this shit in the weekend
We was up all late tweakin' (yeah!)
Ice Cube on a Friday, Chris Tucker on a Friday
Michael Cera on a Friday, Jonah Hill on a Friday
Rockin' leaves, blood diamonds
Sucked off on the highway
Police right behind me
Like a nigga stole his OJ
Okay, I don't play
Got the same last name as O.J
In BROCKHAMPTON's song STAR, the rapper is comparing himself to various action film stars and pop icons. He declares that he is like Matthew McConaughey going interstellar and Tony Perkis when he drops weight. He also compares himself to various other celebrities such as Jason Bourne, Jason Statham, Liam Neeson, Bruce Campbell, Tobin Bell, Anthony Hopkins, Molly Shannon, Deray, and Obama.
The rapper, who considers himself a popstar, declares himself as the "black Tom Hanks" who can be called "Nigga Banks," like Secret Agent Cody Banks. He also references various other pop icons such as Nic Cage, John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Prince, Lionel Ritchie, MJ, Kobe Bryant, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Heath Ledger, and Michael Cera. He also refers to his current struggles such as his teeth, lack of money, and family issues.
The lyrics of the song STAR showcase the rapper's self-confidence and vivid imagination by equating himself with various pop culture celebrities. It also highlights his willingness to speak about his struggles openly while maintaining a humorous and confident persona.
Line by Line Meaning
I might go Interstellar
I'm willing to go to great lengths and explore uncharted territories.
I feel like Matthew McConaughey
I'm confident and charismatic in my actions and decisions.
I don't care for what they gotta say
I'm not worried about others' opinions and will do what I want.
Tony Perkis how I drop the weight
I'm focused and committed to shedding off any negativity or excess baggage.
Jason Bourne with the headshot
I'm precise and efficient in achieving my goals.
Jason Statham with the whip game
I'm skilled and confident in handling any situation that comes my way.
Liam Neeson with the rescue
I'm capable and willing to assist those in need and protect those I care about.
I go Gunnar with the leather face
I can be intense and fierce when it comes to my craft or passion.
Bruce Campbell with the chains
I'm not afraid to take on challenges and tough situations.
Tobin Bell with the saw
I'm willing to get my hands dirty and do what needs to be done.
Anthony Hopkins, I'm eatin' 'em raw
I'm unstoppable and will overcome any obstacle in my path to success.
They don't know who we are
We're underestimated and misunderstood, but we're going to prove ourselves.
Molly Shannon I'm a superstar
I'm confident in my abilities and talent, and I know I will succeed.
Ride or die like it's sea biscuit
I'm loyal and committed to those I care about, and I'll go through anything for them.
Tryna stack like Tobey
I'm focused on building my wealth and success.
John Wick, I don't leave a witness
I'm efficient and ruthless in eliminating anyone who poses a threat or obstacle to me.
Chris Paul, I'm assistin'
I'm a team player and enjoy helping others succeed along with me.
Ameer going Blake Griffin
I'm talented and capable of impressive feats, even when unexpected.
Give me forty-eight minutes
I'll prove myself and showcase my skills within a given time frame.
We go '04 Pistons
We'll work together as a team and come out victorious despite being underestimated.
Catch a fade like Robert Horry
I'm capable of taking on tough situations and coming out on top.
Only time to get the spotlight
We have a limited window to showcase our talent and success.
Deray how I'm top flight
I'm standing out and making waves in my field or industry.
Go Obama when I drop mics
I'm confident and charismatic in my public speaking and performances.
I'm the black Tom Hanks
I'm well-respected and successful in my industry or field.
You can call me nigga Banks
I'm confident and unapologetic in who I am and how I represent myself.
Secret Agent Cody Banks
I'm skilled and capable of navigating tough situations.
Quarter pound of the dank
I'm indulging in and enjoying some marijuana.
On the scale and it stank
I'm aware of what I'm consuming and its consequences.
Throwin' mama in a range
I'm capable of achieving great feats and luxury for myself and loved ones.
I just bought a new Wraith
I'm enjoying and indulging in luxury and success.
Nic Cage with the face off
I'm unpredictable and willing to switch things up when necessary.
John Travolta when I take off
I'm confident and charismatic in my actions and decisions.
Brad Pitt, start a fight club
I'm willing to take on tough situations and make things happen for myself and others.
Turn the trap into the nightclub
I'm capable of transforming challenging situations and environments into something positive and enjoyable.
I'm like Prince with the white doves
I'm talented, unique, and capable of achieving great success and admiration.
Paint a picture with the white dust
I'm artistic and creative, and I'm capable of creating something beautiful or impressive.
Lionel Ritchie with the white bitch
I'm successful and capable of indulging in luxury and success.
Try to tell it to her nicely, but she never wanna listen
I'm dealing with someone who's not receptive and refuses to listen to reason.
Beat the pussy to submission
I'm aggressive and unrelenting in my sexual relationships and experiences.
Tom Cruise on a mission
I'm confident and capable of achieving great things and overcoming obstacles.
Pull a RnB singer, bring her back to South Central
I'm enjoying and indulging in sexual experiences with RnB singers, regardless of location or environment.
I shine just like a popstar, MJ my initial
I'm confident and capable of achieving great success, like Michael Jackson.
Kobe Bryant with the spin moves
I'm skilled and talented, and capable of pulling off impressive feats like Kobe Bryant.
If these niggas got issues, H-town with Beyonce
I'm not afraid to defend and support those I care about, like Beyonce in Houston.
Turn her to my prom date
I'm capable of transforming someone's life or experiences for the better, romantically or otherwise.
King pin like Jay Z, dance moves like J.T
I'm successful and capable of achieving great things and attracting admiration, like Jay Z with dance moves like Justin Timberlake.
Heath Ledger with some dreads
I'm unique and impressive, like Heath Ledger with dreadlocks.
I just gave my nigga head
I'm engaging in a sexual act with someone, likely oral sex.
Standing on my two legs
I'm confident and capable of standing on my own and taking care of myself.
Fuck what that nigga done said
I'm not worried about what anyone else thinks or says, and will do what I want.
Bruh, I don't fuck with no white boys
I'm not interested in engaging romantically or sexually with white men.
Less the nigga Shawn Mendes
Except for Shawn Mendes, who I'm willing to engage with.
I been off and I been dead
I've been out of the public eye or not functioning at my best.
Bad as hell, I don't bench press
I'm confident and capable, but don't feel the need to prove myself physically through weightlifting or other means.
High school, they ain't fuck with me
I didn't fit in or wasn't well-liked in high school.
Now the critics don't fuck with me
I'm successful and respected, but not always well-received or admired by critics.
My own fam ain't fuck with me
My family is distant or not supportive of me and my endeavors.
But Viceland did fuck with me
I've gained admiration and respect from Viceland, a media company.
I'm the only popstar with no money
I'm successful and admired but may not be financially well-off.
Can't drive, so I'm still running
I'm not capable or interested in driving, but still finding ways to get around and succeed.
Uber takin' all my show money
I'm losing money on transportation costs to my shows because I can't drive.
But that's okay, I got more money
I'm successful and financially well-off enough to handle the costs of transportation.
Not enough to get my teeth fixed
I'm not able to afford dental work to fix my teeth.
So my boyfriend in the street, bitch
I'm relying on my boyfriend, who may be involved in illegal or risky activities, to support me financially or otherwise.
In the moonlight I get seasick
I'm experiencing discomfort or anxiety in my current environment or situation.
Did ya see all that, all that we did?
Did you witness and appreciate our accomplishments and successes?
Did all this shit in the weekend
We achieved and accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.
We was up all late tweakin' (yeah!)
We were working hard and making progress late into the night.
Ice Cube on a Friday, Chris Tucker on a Friday
We're enjoying and indulging in entertainment, like watching movies featuring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
Michael Cera on a Friday, Jonah Hill on a Friday
We're enjoying and indulging in entertainment, like watching movies featuring Michael Cera and Jonah Hill.
Rockin' leaves, blood diamonds
We're engaging in activities or indulgences that may be controversial or morally questionable.
Sucked off on the highway
We're engaging in sexual experiences, possibly in cars or other public spaces.
Police right behind me
We're engaging in illegal or risky activities, and the police are aware or involved.
Like a nigga stole his OJ
The police are pursuing us with a similar level of intensity as when OJ Simpson was pursued by police.
Okay, I don't play
I'm serious and unafraid when it comes to taking on challenges or tough situations.
Got the same last name as O.J
I share the last name with OJ Simpson, known for his high-profile criminal case.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ameer Vann, Clifford Simpson, Dominique Simpson, Jabari Manwarrir
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elijahmaier5975
All these videos got me thinking of their neighbors looking out the windows like "yeah... they're blue today.".
@dabossman5650
Elijah Maier Lmao
@hokayso4530
they must have been mildly confused when they’re all having a seizure in the beginning
@navimana
lol stop lmao they were prolly like "what the fuck those fools up to- oh wait...it's those boys, nevermind"
@stokealona479
Da Bossman I want to live in the world where they all live together 😂
@cringychris4101
@@stokealona479 they all live in the same house
@omari_104
Avatar 2 looks pretty good
@rex_chronic4764
brandonomari02 stop stealing jokes
@pieflinger42069
Rex_Chronic We're all stolen jokes when you think about it.
@pieflinger42069
brandonomari02 XD