Budding R&B singer and songwriter Sadé Emoni is the sweetheart of New Jersey’s underground music scene. In her youth, the Jersey City native appeared on the Apollo and received such accolades as being named “The Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen” of the state’s Middlesex County. Years after auditioning for popular music competition show, American Idol, Sadé is leaving her teenage image behind and stepping into womanhood.
We were able to chat with Sadé Emoni about her upcoming performance as part of the 3rd annual Inspired Artist Movement Conference on Saturday, October 1, 2017, her latest EP, 222, publicly sharing the details of her romantic life and more. Check out the full interview below!
You’ve practically grown up in the industry whether it was singing in the church or in front of the American Idol judges. How are you able to evolve without losing yourself in the trends of the ever changing music scene?
“I’m able to evolve without losing myself because I’ve always had a strong foundation. My family is my rock, they’ve always supported me and have been pushing me since the very beginning so that keeps me in tune with myself, who I am, my beliefs and what I like etc. Also, my relationship with God. He knows me inside and out so he helps tremendously with not allowing me to forget who I am because he knows me so well. It’s not easy to get lost when you have a daily reminder with you 24/7.”
Congrats are in order! You were recently featured in the Know Your Worth Art Show. How was that experience? The self-love movement is in full force with the help of social movements such as Black Girl Magic. What does Black Girl Magic mean to you?
“Thank you! It was such a dope experience, Frank Mcfly is truly talented and super creative with his music and visuals. Being apart of Know Your Worth’s Release/ Art Show, a project dedicated to uplifting women was amazing. Black Girl Magic to me means appreciating ourselves even when we’re not appreciated. “Black Girl Magic” isn’t a trend or the current hashtag, it’s something that has always lived inside of us and something that forever will, even once the saying isn’t uttered as much. The saying is just a reminder of how strong, intelligent, beautiful and all around bomb we are!”
You latest project, 222, the EP, features a wide range of sounds, guest producers and topics including your romantic relationship. Tell me more about the inspiration behind the project. Are you ever afraid of overexposing your personal by way of your music? How do you balance out both worlds?
“The inspiration behind this project came from being both in love and hurt in love before. I wanted to paint a picture of the different phases we can experience while being in love, the good, the bad, the forgiveness and the goodbyes. 222 is a story and it takes you on a journey. Although the skits in between the love songs are cute I really wanted to highlight the moments where the female realized something was up and her boyfriend wasn’t being honest with her. I dramatized the females reaction because I feel it’s necessary that we set a standard for the people we are with based on respect and never allow ourselves to just settle when we don’t receive that. Everything falls under respect, honesty, love, commitment etc. So when the respect is gone because one of those categories have been violated expect to lose me. That was the message I wanted to give. Yes, the project displays forgiveness because it’s beautiful to forgive but only when the person is worthy of forgiveness. It’s important to know the difference between the people in your life that need to be taught a lesson and the ones who just need to be cut off. To answer your second question, yesssss. It’s definitely scary for me to bare it all in my music. I don’t think I care so much about the person I’m with hearing the songs created that may be about them or the audience hearing what’s going on in my life honestly. For me, it’s a battle with myself. Music has always been a way for artist to express themselves, thoughts, fears, desires etc. and sometimes my fears or insecurities are so tucked far far back in my mind that I’m scared to bring them to the forefront in my lyrics because I haven’t even accepted them in my heart..? Does that make sense lol. It’s almost as if I’m running away from what I’m feeling because I don’t want to admit it to myself just yet but me expressing it in song may be the only way for me to free myself from it and another way for my audience to connect with me even more. I don’t know girl, I’m still figuring this out. LOL”
You will be performing live on Sunday, October 1st as part of the 3rd annual Inspired Artist Movement Conference! What can attendees expect?!
“Yes I’m so excited to be apart of this show. It’s definitely a dope movement and a big plus that’s it in my home town, Jersey City. Attendees can expect me being myself on stage, giving a full show, some hair flips every now and then and me just giving my all for them. There will be some throwback jams I perform and some original music as well so it’s going to be fun!”
What’s next from Sadé Emoni? New visuals? Official tour?
“New music, new music, new music ! I’ve been so focused on writing every day and creating as many songs that I’m proud of as possible. I’ve also been focusing on my shows a lot and just getting together a dope set to take every where. Dope dancers, dope outfits, great songs and soon a great band to be apart of it as well. I’m excited, everyday I talk to God about wanting to just sky rocket and take off but I’m reminded everyday of the amount of work, faith and dedication it takes so it’s definitely a journey that I’m on and learning to embrace more and more every day.”
Header image credit belongs to Jim Leo
Stay connected with Sadé Emoni across all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as on her official website www.officialsadeemoni.com. Take a listen to Sadé Emoni’s EP, 222, below. Tell us what you think in the comment section.
