STARRAH GAZING

Hit songwriter Starrah poses with Team Pulse Music Group to mark the launch of 3:02 Music Group, her JV pubco with Pulse (with whom she has also re-upped her own deal). As this pic was snapped, Pulse co-CEO Scott Cutler noted that mask mandates had been relaxed. “Yeah, but this is running in HITS, right?” Starrah replied. “I definitely don’t want to catch whatever they’ve got.” Seen wondering if we’ve got a pulse are (l-r) PMG co-CEO Josh Abraham, SVP/Head of Creative Ashley Calhoun, Starrah, manager and 3:02 Music Group co-founder Nick Jarjour and Cutler.

As you’re probably aware, Starrah has penned hits for Camila Cabello (“Havana” f/Young Thug), Maroon 5 (“Girls Like You” f/Cardi B), Megan Thee Stallion (“Savage Remix” f/Beyoncé, which earned Starrah a 2021 Best Rap Song Grammy), Drake (“Fake Love”), Calvin Harris (“Feels”) and Rihanna (“Needed Me”). 3:02, of which Starrah will serve as CEO, is named for the area code of the gifted tunesmith’s native Delaware (which has only one area code).

“It was time for somebody like Starrah,” reads a quote from Cutler. “There are so many reasons why this was important—she’s one of the most talented songwriters on the planet, there’s no question. She’s also a Black, LGBTQ+ woman who knows what it takes to create an inclusive, diverse environment for music creators. When Josh and I founded Pulse, we set out to create a best-in-class creative sanctuary for music creators, run by music creators, and our company ethos has always been to create an inclusive, diverse creative haven. Starrah is the next voice in this chapter. This industry hasn’t yet had a woman with Starrah’s lens and experience running the show at her own publishing company and we knew we wanted this to be happening at Pulse.”

Praising Starrah’s “incredible instincts,” Cutler predicted that she “will bring the next generation of talented hitmakers into an inclusive, diverse environment in partnership with Pulse.”

“I signed Starrah to the company my first week with Pulse and we’ve been fully behind her vision since day one,” proclaimed Calhoun, noting the songwriter’s career trajectory in the ensuing six years. “Giving important voices in music a chance to be heard and believing in our clients from the early days as they shape their careers is just part of our creative approach and culture—Starrah is a great example of that.”

Said Starrah, “Pulse was the first publisher that made me feel like they truly understood my vision when I walked into the room. Since I’ve been with them, they've been nothing but supportive every step of the way. I know I can always walk into the office or make a phone call and have someone help me work through the goals I want to meet or get past any obstacles I come across. Being with Pulse is like being with family; they are my extended family.”

photo credit: Mekael Dawson