Star 2 is back, and on "Kokaine," he comes out swinging, sending out a hypnotic cloud of emotion that talks about both passion and frustration. The San Diego-based artist works with Tae Tae and fellow refugee voice Eh La to make a song that lives up to its name. It has a lot of emotional and cultural weight, and the lyrics are in both English and Thai.
"Kokaine" pulls us in with its crazy appeal of a love that seems both fun and dangerous. The production's sledgehammer force shows how cruel obsession can be and how close hunger and death are. It's a cool but intense sound cyclone that captures the flood of feelings that won't go away.
But there is a deeper layer that stays with it, a reflection of Star2's journey from the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand to the U.S. and his campaign to provide a voice to those who have been silenced. His personal and shared stories shed light on narratives often overlooked in mainstream hip-hop. Every verse and hook shows a strength and pride that can only come from living for a long time.
"Kokaine" makes it clear that Star2 is an artist who loves opposites, like beauty and grime, danger and desire, and pain and strength. The song is not only musically interesting, but it is also emotionally engaging, drawing the listener in like the very addiction it talks about.