Some of Dren Starr’s biggest passions include his family, music, and entertainment. But the 44-year-old former DJ, who later turned radio station operator, manager, and producer, also has great love for his hometown, the Lower East Side, Manhattan. Through the work he has done, and what he will continue to do, people will be able to enjoy the legacy of Starr while at the same time developing an appreciation for the Lower East Side or LES.
The Lower East Side, Manhattan is not the purest place to reside. The region has a history of crime and drugs that is no secret. Without a doubt, growing up in that area was not easy for Dren Starr. The influence of his environment would later cause Dren to make a mistake that he will forever hold as a listen. Starr believes his work in music and entertainment will put LES on the map and give hope to the area.
He has been working hard over the last 30 years to create a name for himself and to uplift his community. Starr first began Deejaying at 14. He then began a radio station called WBAD RADIO 91.9FM at 18, competing with the major radio station, Hot 97, but the authorities (FCC) eventually shut it down. Before it was shut down, the radio station was covered in a news special by Barbara Nevins Taylor. In the special, she stated that the radio station was worth over $75 million.
Starr has worked closely with many New-York artists and others over the years. He says, “I have worked with the late great Big Punisher, and I also did his last interview before he passed away. I’ve managed a few hip-hop artists on the personal and tour levels. They include Terror Squad’s Cuban Link, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Wu-Tang’s affiliate group Killarmy’s Kinetic 9, and I produced highly controversial mixtapes for Tru-Life Tru York.”
But Starr did experience a few bumps throughout his journey in the entertainment industry. One of these instances includes serving time in New York State prison for gun possession. He has since done his time and is looking forward to bigger and better things for his career.
“I want to leave a legacy behind for my two sons. I want them to be in a position to continue what I started in the Lower East Side. My mission is to make the Lower East Side a household name like Wu-Tang did for Staten Island. I was born and raised in the LES, and no one out here has put my hometown on the map. I will do that through working with major festivals and tours while traveling the world”, Starr says.
Starr’s Instagram page features him with celebrities like Bobby Shmurda, Meek Mill, Fabolous, Jadakiss, and celebrity fashion designer Jeff Hamilton. He entered the industry before the internet and continues to collaborate with the big names in the business during the digital age. This includes marketing the D’USSÉ cognac brand and working alongside Roc Nation and other hip-hop tours and festivals.
Starr can be reached on social media at:
@DRENSTARR (Instagram)
@DRENSTARR (Facebook)