Stella Standingbear is a Native American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for versatile style and her Lakota heritage. Born as Esparanza Stella Standing Bear in Salt Lake City, Utah, she has become one of the most exciting and influential Indigenous voices in music today.
Stella’s love for music began very early in life. She was born in March 1999 and grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, where she attended local schools including Taylorsville High School, graduating a year early with a clear focus on her future in music.
From childhood, Stella was always drawn to rhythm and words. She started writing poetry around fourth grade and recorded her first song at age 14, showing early talent and determination to create music. Though she took only a short guitar class, she is largely self-taught, learning by listening, writing, and experimenting with sound.
Even though Stella grew up away from her tribe’s traditions, she always felt a pull toward her heritage. She is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, and visits to the Pine Ridge Reservation helped shape her sense of identity.
In early 2022, Stella made a powerful decision: she moved to Pine Ridge in South Dakota to reconnect with her Lakota roots. There, she immersed herself in culture, language, ceremonies, and community life, which deeply influenced both her personal growth and her music.
Stella’s music career took a major leap forward in late 2022 when she released her debut single, “Home Runs.” This song—written as an anthem of resilience and affirmation—was filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation and spotlighted issues like pride, struggle, and identity for Native communities.
Her music became more than entertainment—it became both a voice for her community and a message of healing and empowerment.
In 2023, Stella made history at the International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards in Vancouver, Canada. She was the only artist nominated in three categories and won two major awards:
• Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
• Music Video of the Year for “Home Runs.”
She also added to her growing list of accolades with Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) wins and widespread media features, including coverage in Teen Vogue, Hot97, and DAZED Digital.
Stella Standingbear isn’t slowing down. She has toured across the United States and Canada, played sold-out shows, and shared stages with artists such as Kirko Bangz, Montana of 300, Futuristic, KYLE, and Bizzy Bone—earning co-signs from music icons like Queen Latifah and Waka Flocka Flame.
Her music style continues to blend genres—from hip-hop and alt-rap to R&B and pop—reflecting her diverse influences and refusal to be boxed into one category. Recent singles like “Pray 4 U Freestyle” and “Mmhmm” show her growing artistic confidence and expanding reach.
Beyond performance, Stella is a visible advocate for Indigenous issues. Her art often addresses challenges like systemic inequality and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)movement, giving her music a purpose beyond charts and playlists.
This connection to community has made her an important role model for young Indigenous people and aspiring artists everywhere, showing that success can come without losing cultural identity.
