Rising rap artist Madison Star is unlike many of your favorite female emcees. Aside from her bars and star power, she also serves as a full-spectrum doula. She prides herself on interconnecting her passion for music with her commitment to supporting Black women through their most intimate experiences. In an industry that often compartmentalizes creativity and care work, Star has found the intersection of the two. She has created a space where both her art and her doula services resonate deeply with the lives of Black women.
A Doula’s Journey Rooted in Compassion
Star’s journey into the world of doulas began before her career as a rap artist.
“Before I left for Howard [University], I was already intrigued by the idea of becoming a doula,” she recalled. “My uncle introduced me to the practice, mentioning Erykah Badu, and that just planted the seed.”
This early interest stayed with her throughout her time at Howard University, where she graduated in 2020. It wasn’t until she found herself shadowing at a late-term abortion clinic in the summer of 2019 that she truly realized her calling.
“That’s where I really found out that being a doula was something I could do,” Star shared. “I was there to support the women, both physically and emotionally, during one of the most challenging times of their lives. That experience planted the seed that grew into me becoming a certified full-spectrum doula.”
Embracing the Role of an Abortion Doula
As a full-spectrum doula, Star offers a wide range of services. She can do everything from prenatal care to postpartum support, including abortions.
“I can help with all aspects of birth, including abortions, vaginal health, exercise, and nutrition,” she explained. “But my strongest suit is prenatal care, getting women ready and prepared for labor.”
Star is particularly passionate about her work as an abortion doula. It’s a role that she describes as both very important yet and very misunderstood.
“An abortion doula is there in the room while the procedure, which we call a D&C, is happening,” she said. “It’s about being a physical and emotional support person, without judgment, meeting women where they’re at during a very complex time.”
For Star, this work is deeply personal. It comes from her belief that every woman deserves to feel supported, no matter her circumstances.
Connecting Music and Doula Work
Star’s dual roles as a doula and a rap artist may seem worlds apart. However, for her, they are deeply interconnected.
“Music was always something I did, but it wasn’t something I necessarily did publicly,” she said. “I grew up in the studio, around artists, so music and the creative arts were a big part of my life. For those who know me, they’re more surprised that I’m a doula. But I believe that God gives us many gifts, and we’re not supposed to live in just one of them.”
Her music, much like her doula work, focuses on uplifting Black women.
“I’m always talking to women in my music,” Star said. “My music is for women. It’s for the girls, for the daughter, for the international star. There are themes in my music that speak to women today, and I’m speaking vulnerably as a Black woman who struggles through certain things. That’s where the two definitely connect.”
Star was the final act at the Heart of the City Festival in Rahway, New Jersey. The event had performers from the area and she was a fitting close to a day filled with the voices of Black women. She followed acts like MOZZ!, ANNY WARHOL, Parker, and many more at an event put together by a Black woman, Parisse Dawkins.
Star’s love for Black women and the support she provides in both her music and her doula work is a reflection of her own experiences and the women in her life.
“The world has done a number on us as Black women,” she said. “We deserve to be heard, celebrated, acknowledged, and uplifted.”
Balancing Multiple Passions to Serve the Community
Star’s passion for uplifting Black women doesn’t stop with her music and doula services. She also runs Madison Star Couture, where she creates custom clothing for Black women, including high-profile clients like JT and Flo Milli.
“My outreach in my community, speaking to young Black girls in the school system, is just as important,” she said. “I want people to see me and know that they can do it too.”
In balancing her work as a doula, a rap artist and a designer, Star embodies the power of Black women who embrace all their gifts and use them to uplift their communities.
“Being a doula is about being in service to somebody else, and that’s a humbling and beautiful experience,” she said. “I can be the star on stage and also be present in those intimate moments where women really need support. It’s about balance, and I’m honored to be able to do both.”