Meet Sonna Rele, an artist whose voice can paint a picture of soul, ambition, empowerment, and freedom with a fun pop flavor. Rele shared some of her passion with us, explaining how her journey of following that passion has led her to fearless heights from performing at London’s famous O2 Arena to packed crowds on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard. I was able to learn more about the stunning Ugandan/Indian singer after experiencing her warm vibes at a private showcase in LA. These are the jewels I took away from our exclusive girl power convo.
Written by Lauren “La La” Walton
Creative Dir & MUA by Eve Chen of Melange NYC
Images by Prince
Styling by Alexis Marie
Hair by Priscilla Jay
(Lauren Walton: La La) What’s your favorite part of story telling?
(Sonna Rele: Sonna) When you can take somebody from their reality and provide them with escapism through merging your and their imaginations. Music and creativity forms that space for you, and within that space you can be as creative and imaginative as possible. You’re able to take people away from their usual routine. I love being able to tap into that.
(La La) What was the turning point that made you chose to fearlessly chase your dreams?
(Sonna) I’ve always been a singer growing up with my mom and dad whom are both performers. They always encouraged me to sing. I thought that everyone had that gift so I didn’t realize I could really sing, so I never had the thought ‘I want to be a singer’. It became a very normal part of my life, but when I did anything outside of singing that’s what helped me realize that’s what I wanted to do. Singing felt so real and natural to me.
(La La) Clearly your parents support played a huge role in your success. What about your parents careers as musicians inspired you to follow that same path professionally?
(Sonna) I saw how happy my parents were with what they do. A lot of people tend to choose lifestyles that don’t fulfill them or make them happy necessarily. They just choose something and look forward to five pm when they can leave the office. To see my parents pursue their careers with happiness and be able to buy a home with it made me realize this is something I can really do and maintain my survival with it.
(La La) How has your life changed in terms of starting Music Monday’s to performing to a sold out crowd at the O2 Arena?
(Sonna) It’s crazy! I didn’t really think that was possible! When it happened I realized social media was such a powerful tool. It’s a way to connect with people one on one without any barriers. When artists sign to labels, they usually go into development first then reach the audience at the end. Social media shows us that you can just do your thing and hone in on that audience yourself quickly. It’s kind of scary and really exciting at the same time… I like being uncomfortable because it means you’re growing.
(La La) What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while working with NE-YO that’s helped you grow?
(Sonna) NE-YO always encouraged me to not think so much when it comes to music and creating music. Just feel, and be able to relate to masses of people. He made me think about how I can tap into other people, and about what they’re feeling, by using my imagination.
(La La) You were initially signed to Universal as a teen. What have you learned now with this experience that you wish you knew then?
(Sonna) Yes, at 14 (Laughs!). Two years into being a teenager I’m signing a deal with a massive label! It was a really cool experience! They moved me to New York at the time, I was about 15 by then, and I had my own place. I was learning how to cook, clean, and be an adult. When people met me they thought I was a lot older because of that and it helped me mature. I had to hang out with people that were older and more mature so they could show me the way, and eventually I adapted to that independent lifestyle. There’s a really good lesson I took away during that time, and it’s to reach out to your audience a lot quicker. Back then social media didn’t exist the same and I feel there’s always been some way to connect with people despite that. At that time I was more concerned with being in the studio and perfecting my music. I learned sometimes it’s best to write a song and test the waters with it to see if your audience even likes it. Sometimes they won’t. Then you realize every single moment doesn’t have to be spent locked away in the studio. That raw emotion is what creates a fan.
(La La) You’re the latest British-Asian artist to be signed to Motown. Do you feel pressure to represent for your culture, and those that relate to your culture by creating more notoriety in America for Indian women of color?
(Sonna) I don’t really feel pressure. Instead I feel a sense of responsibility to represent in the best way possible for them and everyone that can relate.
(La La) What has been the biggest difference between your audience in the UK and the reception here in the states?
(Sonna) They’re very much the same, very receptive. I have noticed out here in the U.S. people are way more animated when you perform. You get that person yelling ‘sing girl!’ or a ‘yassss!’ (Laughs!). That’s how Americans show their love. In the U.K. they wouldn’t do that exactly. They’ll just stomp their feet. It’s a different type of excitement.
(La La) You carry a book of inspirational quotes with you everywhere you go. What’s the most profoundly meaningful one of them?
(Sonna) I have a few, but one of my favorite and most meaningful quotes is: ‘If you feel like you are in a world where you don’t fit in, it’s because you are born to create a new one.’
(La La) That’s an empowering perspective on life. Who blessed you with that quote?
(Sonna) My Granddad. I remember I was crying one time and I felt like I just never fit in anywhere, ever. Most times when you have a racially ambiguous look people tend to look at you differently and no one fully accepts you for who you are. Some people think you’re one of them, some think you sort of are, and others don’t. I love R&B and soul music so I’d get feedback about me not being fully embraced because I’m not a Black woman, but it made me want to create something new and get together with everyone that felt like an outsider no matter what your racial background is so we can come together to stop that mindset.
(La La) What final message would you like to share using this American platform?
(Sonna) I have a song called “Wildhearts” on my EP and it encompasses what I stand for. You might be different but you can break free from that and be yourself. By doing that you empower yourself, but not only yourself because now you have the strength to empower others.