Estelle “Star”
After being inexplicably snubbed in most of the R&B categories, things weren’t looking too promising for Estelle at this year’s Grammy’s. But alas, it seems the world can sometimes be fair; not only did the singer (and sometimes rapper) leave the event a winner (for Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration), she also managed to snatch up some memorable stage time, giving “American Boy” a fitting cap-off to a year in which the R&B goodie continually kept us all warm inside.
“Star”, Estelle’s first new release under the tag “Grammy-winner”, might not be as perfectly delicious as “American Boy” but the track, released in conjunction with Crystal Light’s uPumpItUp campaign, is good enough to keep us satisfied until that next album drops.
An upbeat swirl of faux-strings and electro-dance bottom-bump, “Star” sees Estelle having a post-No More Drama Mary J Blige moment, boosting the mood of the depressed by relating her own “they told me I wouldn’t make it, but look at me now!” life journey. “I know you’re tired of working but stay up on your stuff/ Push on through all the hurtin’/ Even though it gets tough,” she inspires to the song’s workout-ready soundtrack.
Our only beef? No rapping. This song’s begging for a positive-minded rap interlude, and would of provided a nice reminder that Estelle knows how to spit a rhyme or two.
