Brenda K. Starr started her career by making a demo of Stacy Lattisaw’s "Love On A Two Way Street". She started hanging out in places where she felt someone was bound to hear her. In the early 80’s, Brenda then helped out picking up cups at a local roller skating rink in NYC, where she bumped into Harry Bellafonte. She then landed a dancing & singing role in his 1984 breakdancing film: "BEAT STREET". Not long after, at the age of 18, she was signed to Mirage Records, & released her 1985 debut album "I WANT YOUR LOVE", which included the Freestyle classic "Pickin’ Up Pieces", as well as "Suspicion" (featuring rap by Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys), and the title track that was a remake of Chic’s Disco hit.Brenda later was signed to MCA Records, and shortly after released her 2nd album in 1987 simply titled "BRENDA K. STARR". This album turned Brenda into an international star & she got to tour with many artists including New Kids On The Block. The album contained the singles "What You See Is What You Get", "Breakfast In Bed", & the Billboard Top-20 hit "I Still Beleive".
It also had the Freestyle jam "Over & Over" which was later re-done by Pajama Party in 1989, & "You Should Be Loving Me" which appeared on the soundtrack & movie "SHE’S OUT OF CONTROL" starring Tony Danza.
Brenda also had a song called "Sata" in the film & soundtrack to "LAMBADA".
Around this time, she had become great friends with her then back-up singer & godmother to her 1st daughter, Mariah Carey. As many know, Brenda is in part responsible for Mariah’s career, & Mariah thanks her mentor on her 1999 "Number 1’s" album, as well as remakes "I Still Beleive". Brenda appeared with Mariah a few times throughout her "Number 1’s Tour".In 1990, Brenda did a duet with fellow Freestyle artist George Lamond titled "No Matter What" for his album. The song would later be remade by Latin/Salsa group DLG as "No Morira". She signed with Epic Records in 1991 & released her 3rd album "BY HEART". It diddnt do as well commercially, but contained the single "If You Could Read My Mind". Taking a break from full-length albums, Brenda released various singles during the mid 90’s.
Some of which were a jumpin’ Latin-House version of the classic "Cuba" (with El Mariachi), featured vocalist on Hip-Hop/Reggae star Mad Lion’s single "Double Trouble", (both in 1996), & in 1997, the smooth electro-breakbeat "Only Love" for the "DANCE TRIP 2000" compilation.Around the release of those singles, Brenda made a dramatic change... she switched to Salsa music!
Releasing her 1st Latin album "TE SIGO ESPERANDO", she soared back up on the charts & was introduced to new fans. This album is probably one of her best, which had "Herida", & "No Necesito". The string of hits continued in 1998 when she released her 2nd Salsa album "NO LO VOY OLVIDAR", which has "Si Me Preguntan Por Ti", & a Spanglish Salsa version of "I Still Beleive".
Her 3rd Latin album "PETALOS DE FUEGO" (2000) included a cover of Billy Joel’s "Honesty". In 2000, she also wrote a song for 3LW’s debut album (now ’The Cheetah Girls’), and released a Dance-Techno-House maxi-single "Hold Me" on an independent label, which got major club play internationally. On the Sony Music label, Brenda came back with her hot 2002 Latin release "TEMPTATION". One of her best albums to date, it has many great numbers in both English & Spanish, ...including the hit "Por Ese Hombre" with Salsa greats Tito Nieves & Victor Manuelle, and her version of the song that started it all: "Love On A Two Way Street"! Also now available is another CD titled: "All Time Greatest Hits", along with a DVD of the same title that features all her Salsa music videos.In 2004 released "SO GOOD: 12" CLUB COLLECTION", a rare album containing new R&B/Hip-Hop songs as well as Dance/House tracks & remixes.
In 2005 came the release of her latest album, "ATREVETE A OLVIDARME" including the hit "Tu Eres", & the Salsa/Reggaeton track "Damelo". No one knows what to expect of this Puerto Rican-Jewish Diva next, but it’s sure to be good!
