We were lucky to catch up with Aabidah Muhammad recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aabidah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally was when I was just 9 years old. I dreamed of being a singer, a photographer, an actress, and so much more. I had so many visions—I just knew I wanted to be completely engulfed in the world of art, and healing others with it. I was fascinated by the idea of expressing my true self through endless creative possibilities. Thankfully, my mother nurtured my budding interests by enrolling me in acting classes, drawing, and photography. Each of these experiences helped me uncover the spark of creativity within me.

However, I was extremely shy, and that often got in the way of my vision. Stage fright became a significant obstacle, causing me to talk myself out of many opportunities to develop my craft. Fear held me back, but my love for music and performance never faded.

As I grew older, my desire to sing became even stronger. Although shyness continued to challenge me, I was blessed to have the unwavering support of my friends and family. I began singing with one of my best friends, Sade White, and together we formed a duo. That experience not only helped me grow as an artist but also gave me insight into how others channel their own creativity.

I realized that singing and making music felt like my calling because it had such a profound healing effect on me. I wanted to create music that could heal others the way it healed me. My first time singing on stage was terrifying—I was overwhelmed with fear. But I pushed through, determined to find a way to feel more comfortable and present in front of an audience.

As I got older, my interests peaked and I wanted to sell products that uplift people and make them smile. My goal is to eventually own a space for the community to heal, learn and make art for the soul.

Over time, I discovered my voice, not just in music but in who I truly was and am. Each performance became a step closer to embracing my authenticity and the joy of expressing myself through art.

Aabidah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Aabidah Muhammad, and I’m a singer-songwriter, creative, and entrepreneur originally from Boston. I’ve lived around Boston, Western Massachusetts and Atlanta, each place shaping my growth as an artist. Photography was the first art form that taught me how to capture emotion and moments, helping me see the world in a more vivid and creative light. It sparked a fire within me, nurturing my artistic vision and encouraging me to explore various forms of self-expression. This foundation in visual storytelling has deeply shaped my approach to music and all my creative endeavors. While I studied Photography at the New England Institute of Art, it was my passion for music and healing that eventually became the heart of my creative journey.

Music has always been a cornerstone of my life. Singing as part of a duo with my best friend Sade White taught me the power of collaboration and helped me grow as an artist. Over time, we pursued our individual paths, allowing me to focus on my own music, discover my sound, and embrace my voice. Music has been a profound source of healing for me, and I strive to channel that energy into everything I create.

My goal is to create music that touches the soul, inspires growth, and fosters connection. Performing in Boston and Atlanta has been an incredibly rewarding experience, giving me the chance to connect with others on a deep, spiritual level. I am currently working on new music that I’m excited to release on all platforms soon.

I am deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and community building, which led me to collaborate with my best friend, Noemi Saafyr Paz, the founder of Gems & Jewels By Saafyr. This Radical Arts Initiative uplifts BIPOC womxn and queer adults and youth by centering their gifts in arts, education, and wellness. As the coordinator, I am honored to support and help lead this transformative work, drawing from my own journey of learning to stand tall and use my voice. One of the highlights of this journey was being featured in Saafyr’s music video Blessing. It was an incredible experience to witness her creative vision come to life and to play a part in bringing such a powerful project to fruition. You can check it out on YouTube and all streaming platforms! Through my work, I strive to create spaces where others can heal, grow, and thrive, while advocating for those still discovering their power.

Additionally, I created Sunflowerdilah, a brand inspired by my love for sunflowers and the values my late mother instilled in me. My mother was my first example of creativity and always encouraged me to explore my gifts through art, music, and photography. Sunflowerdilah is my way of honoring her legacy and carrying forward her spirit of love and healing. Sunflowers symbolize strength, joy, and resilience—qualities I aim to bring to my work through healing-focused products and future plans for workshops, music, podcasts, and more.

Through Sunflowerdilah, I aim to help people reconnect with their core selves and incorporate healing into their daily lives. I understand what it feels like to feel lost in the world, and I want to create the kind of reminders and spaces I wish I had access to growing up. From sunflower-inspired products like bucket hats, earrings, and headbands to future plans for workshops, podcasts, and music, Sunflowerdilah is a reflection of my mission to uplift and empower others.

What keeps me grounded and confident in my purpose is my intuition, the love and support of my family and friends, and the deep well of love within me that I nurture daily—a love my mother continues to share with me in spirit. This inner guidance fuels everything I do, reminding me to trust myself and stay aligned with my mission. I have a wonderful 4-year-old son named Kareem, who inspires me every day to create spaces where others can heal, grow, and thrive. Seeing him explore his talents and passions has strengthened my commitment to building a world where people—especially youth—feel empowered to embrace their true selves. Through Gems & Jewels By Saafyr and Sunflowerdilah, I am dedicated to advocating for those still discovering their power, while providing spaces for healing, growth, and transformation.

Ultimately, my work is about healing, connection, and empowerment. Whether through music/art, Sunflowerdilah, or Gems & Jewels, I hope to inspire and uplift others while fostering spaces where people feel seen and supported.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At a young age, I felt a spark within me—a deep desire to make an impact on my community and the world. My mother was my first encourager, always telling me I was capable of great things and that I just needed to believe it. As a shy, quiet girl, she pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I’ll forever cherish. I still remember trembling with fear before my first acting class, and her reassuring me, “Don’t worry, you’ll do great!” That moment gave me the courage to take a step forward, and her unwavering love and belief in me shaped the person I’ve become.

I’ve always been fascinated by psychology and understanding the deeper parts of the human psyche. Over time, I realized that combining therapeutic practices with artistic expression could be a powerful tool for healing. This passion inspired me to explore how these approaches could work together to help people reconnect with themselves, find healing, and rediscover their inner strength—just as I have. As part of this evolving vision, I plan to return to school to study psychology, expanding my understanding and enhancing my ability to support others in meaningful ways.

My mother was a pillar of her community. She had a heart for giving, participating in charity and local events, always finding ways to uplift others. Her love for art and creativity fueled her joy for life, and she introduced me to plays, concerts, movies, and so much more. She found magic in those moments, and that same excitement and wonder now live within me. Her influence has shaped every part of my journey and continues to inspire the work I do today.

Her angelic presence guides me still, and my greatest goal is to honor her legacy by living out the dreams we envisioned together. The deep, unconditional love she gave me is a gift I hope to share with others. Through my creative work and community initiatives, I aim to be a source of encouragement and healing, just as she was for me.

In everything I create, I strive to carry forward her light, building spaces where people can heal, grow, and rediscover their own power. She taught me to lead with love and to believe in myself, and I’m committed to passing that same energy to others.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was how I judged myself as an artist. Like many artists, I would fall into patterns of self-doubt, but my inner criticism ran deep and often led to self-sabotage. I had unknowingly developed ways of thinking that kept me stuck—getting in my own way before I even began. I had absorbed so many external ideas about what the “real world” expected of me as an artist, and it took time to realize that those ideas didn’t serve me or align with my truth.

I believed I had to look, sound, and present myself in a certain way just to be taken seriously or even heard. I was chasing an unattainable perfection, always feeling like I wasn’t enough. But in that pursuit, I silenced the most authentic parts of myself. It wasn’t until I started to understand the beauty of being “imperfectly perfect” that I began to let go of those limiting beliefs.

There was a turning point when I realized that the quiet little girl inside of me—the one who was shy, afraid, and unsure—was ready to step forward and be seen. My inner child wanted to sing loudly, unapologetically, from the tallest building, yearning to be heard. That realization shifted everything for me. I stopped trying to fit into molds that weren’t meant for me and started embracing the spark that’s been within me all along.

Unlearning those beliefs and releasing the pressure for perfection freed me. It reminded me that art is about connection, not conformity, and that my voice matters just as it is.

Contact Info:

• Website: This is my instagram for Sunflowerdilah: https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerdilah/profilecard/?igsh=cG5rZTVld3dveWg5
• Instagram: Personal and all IG: https://www.instagram.com/aabidabbi/profilecard/?igsh=MWdzaW5icmZkdHB4Mw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Fv1V2Ydy/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: Sunflowerdilah website coming soon! In the meantime, follow us on IG @Sunflowerdilah for updates, inspiration, and more!”

  To learn more about Gems & Jewels By Saafyr and explore the incredible work we’re doing to uplift and support our community, visit https://saafyr.com. Discover our mission, upcoming events, and how you can get involved in this transformative initiative!

  Link to Blessing music video.:
  https://youtu.be/HeNd4qbZm-k?si=bCG6ZnfGWpmTzFG8

Image Credits

Dylan Conrad Photography, Spartacus Beals, Aabidah Muhammad, Noemi Saafyr Paz, Sade White, Sando Films a.ka Scott Sandonato and Carlito Blu.