Sonja Marie:  Sonja Marie is...still evolving!  Within my 37 years I have proven to BE all of the following... God loving...Spirit listening...hard core & sassy, as Yonkers, New York would make me:), an affectionate mother, an expansive wife, a honest friend, a powerful performer, a lover of words, moody, stubborn, a partygoer, an emotional dancer, a great kisser, an astrologer, a little fearful of the unknown, a creator, a secret, a good eater, a healer, an actress, a pain in the ass, a scuba diver in an ocean of music...a joy to be around! 

SV.  What inspired you to start writing at the age of 10?

SM.  Being raised as the only child in a world that seemed a little harsh and hardcore, propelled me to find refuge somewhere...within me was the safest place.  I felt I couldn’t share my innermost thoughts with friends “on the block”, they would laugh...HARD! :)  So I decided to spell those thoughts and feelings out in a way that made people figure it out and/or come up with their own picture...hence, the art of poetry.

SV.  I think it was an awesome accomplishment to land a spot on one of the hottest soundtracks of the year (1995) when “Waiting To Exhale” came out. 

SM.  Yes, it was divine!  I did not see it coming and I wasn’t sure what it meant at the time.  It took me a couple of years to recognize it’s significance. But I was beyond excited by the opportunity to contribute and shine with the best. 

SV.  How was that experience and what type of impact did it have on your career?

SM.  The experience was a mixture of emotions.  I was absolutely blown away by the opportunity, but it made little sense to me at the time; it all happen so fast.  At the end of 1994 I was reading in small poetry corners around LA.  The next thing I knew, I was putting my words with music, signed to LaFace Records, honored a publishing deal with EMI Publishing and then given the opportunity to be on “Waiting To Exhale”...a whirlwind of highs and lows. I didn’t know any of these new faces coming at me and all my old acquaintances faded away and/or couldn’t understand what I was going through.  It seemed a bit surreal for a 24 year old.  

HOWEVER, I worked very closely to Babyface who helped shaped my professionalism to this day.  He was all about business, clarity and creation.  We wrote the lyrics to “And I Gave My Love To You” in about 30 minutes because he had somewhere to go.  Swift genius...that’s what I’d call him. :)  And he has taught me to be the same way.  I also met a ton of people I would not have unless I did that soundtrack: Teena Marie (who I keep in contact to this day), Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, TLC (my old label mates), Usher (another old label mate), Pete Rock, Q Tip,  and countless others I can’t remember at the time.  I was treated in a way ALL people should be treated: first class, limos, clothes, photo shoots, VIP.  It was glamorous, exciting and adventurous.   

The soundtrack has truly been a professional calling card for me.  To be on an album with such musical heavyweights that sold nearly 13 million copies worldwide...come on, one can’t help but feel overjoyed and appreciative. Although, it was an experience that came a bit too soon for me, I enjoyed every second of it. 

SV.  Let’s talk about your latest project, “Sonja Marie’s Black Album”.   

From what I have heard thus far, your new CD is HOT!!!  Tell our readers a little bit about the CD and why you choose to title your CD the “Black Album.” 

SM.  Thank You!  I call it a “series of thoughts I almost forgot to tell”.  After LaFace, I began playing Live, a lot and staying out of the studio.  Songs I created would be in my show but I didn’t put them down for folks to enjoy.  I just wanted to PERFORM!!!  But slowly I started recording them over a span of 5-7 years and decided to share them with everyone.  It’s called “The Black Album: Volume 1”  because it came out of nothing for me.  A void of feelings and thoughts that I collected over time.  Also, there’s no real theme...it’s all so random to me...like falling stars from a dark sky.  It’s the beginning, the blackness of a soon to be colorful and very memorable creation of more work to come:) 

SV.  Your style comes across as very poetic, soulful, and jazzy.  Do you label yourself as a poet, and if not, what label would you give yourself?  

Or do you even give yourself label?

SM.  LABEL???  If there’s anything I would like to be considered as it would be...AN ARTIST!!!!!  Yes, I’m a poet (not spoken word artist – I can’t stand that term), I’m an actress, I’m a songwriter, I’m a visual artist, I’m a entertainer...I AM ART.  However, I understand compromise quite well, and if people want to label me as “whatever they need to”,  I smile and say a quick prayer that they simply enjoy what’s coming through me.  I encompass all (Jazz, hip-hop, rock, poetry, asphalt, Blues, Soul)  therefore, that’s what I am!