We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cian “SaintCi” Henry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cian “SaintCi” below.
Cian “SaintCi”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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 music professionally was in March 2021, during the final months of my senior year of high school. I had just been accepted into every college I applied to—including my dream engineering university—with a generous scholarship. On paper, it looked like I had achieved everything I’d worked so hard for: a high GPA, strong SAT scores, a well-rounded résumé filled with extracurriculars, and getting into my dream university.
But instead of feeling excited, I felt stuck. The idea of spending the next several years doing more math—only to enter a career where I’d be doing even more of it—just didn’t align with the life I envisioned for myself. It no longer felt right. I want to leave more than some equations or numbers behind when I leave this planet.
I spoke with one of my favorite teachers and mentors about how I was feeling and told him it felt like all that work had suddenly lost its meaning. He looked at me and said, “I have no doubt you could become one of the best engineers I’ve ever taught—but I think you’re meant to do something bigger.”
That moment stuck with me. I had put so much time and effort into chasing a path I thought I was supposed to follow—and yet even the people who had encouraged me academically were now telling me to trust my gut. I fell into a difficult period of reflection, searching for something that felt real and fulfilling. I found purpose in creating. That’s when I made the decision to pursue music seriously, and I haven’t looked back since.
Cian “SaintCi”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is SaintCi—I’m an independent artist, songwriter, creative, and entrepreneur based in Colorado Springs. I’ve been recording professionally for about four years and managing artists in my record label for the last two, but music has always been a part of my life. My sound mainly lives in the world of alternative hip-hop and trap, but I also explore indie pop, indie folk, and west coast/jazz-influenced realms of music as well.
My influences range from artists like Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Juice WRLD, Denzel Curry, and $uicideboy$, to Dominic Fike, Omar Apollo, Mac Miller, and Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners—so my music blends raw energy and chaos with melodic emotion and vulnerability. I’ve released over 30 tracks so far, each one reflecting where I’m at in life or showcasing a different side of who I am as an artist.
I run everything independently under a record label I founded called The District Below (TDB Records). I built my brand from the ground up—designing my own merch, managing my website, and handling my visuals and social media. I work closely with my engineer and a tight circle of creatives, and I’ve collaborated with well-known YouTube producers like pilotkid, Wonderlust, Stoic, Hocii 808, and many others.
This isn’t just about numbers, fame, or virality for me. I’ve been through heavy things in life, and I make music to connect with people navigating their own. Whether it’s a high-energy track to scream along to or something more vulnerable, I want my songs to give people something real to hold onto—or be that voice riding shotgun when they’re driving alone at 3:00 a.m.
What sets me apart is my versatility and vision. I’m not following any formula, and I’m not afraid to take creative risks. I’ve built a solid foundation with nearly 3 million streams across all platforms, averaging 20,000 to 25,000 monthly listeners on Spotify (Summer 2025), all while staying fully independent. Through TDB Records, I’m also building a platform for other creatives who share the same hunger and drive to take over the music scene independently.
What I’m most proud of is that none of this was handed to me. Everything I’ve built has come from consistency, self-belief, and staying true to my purpose. I believe I have a song that will connect with any listener somewhere in my discography if you search hard enough. I have a sound for everyone and every vibe. If you’re just discovering my work—know this: I’m not here to blend in. I’m here to build something that lasts.
I’m just trying to leave a legacy.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist—especially a musician—is getting to be the soundtrack to people’s lives. Real people. People traveling, working, raising kids, walking their dogs… and music becomes the backdrop to all of it. The fact that someone would let my music play during their day, during their life—that’s powerful to me.
I’ve had artists and songs that meant a lot to me at different points in my life, and I think it’s so dope to think that my music might be that for someone else. Whether it’s tied to a mood, a memory, or just a vibe—that connection is everything. That’s my goal with all of this: to connect with as many people as I can and spread joy, hope, and light in a world that can feel dark sometimes.
I also really love performing live. There’s something surreal about hearing a crowd sing your lyrics back to you—with the same emotion you wrote them with, or sometimes even more. It reminds me that the music isn’t just mine anymore—it belongs to everyone who connects with it.
At the end of the day, being that voice in someone’s world, even for a few minutes, is one of the most rewarding things I could ask for. That’s what drives me: connection, joy, and being part of people’s lives in a meaningful way.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yeah—for me, the mission has always been about connection and impact. I’m trying to build something that lasts. Not just in terms of numbers or reach, but something with meaning. I’ve been through my fair share of dark moments, and music is what helped me push through. Now, I want to be that for someone else. Whether it’s a song that helps someone feel seen, or just a track that gives them a reason to smile or keep going—that’s the mission.
It’s not about chasing trends or trying to go viral. It’s about being consistent, authentic, and intentional. I want to build a real legacy—not just as an artist, but as someone who created from a place of purpose and gave other people the courage to do the same.
Whether I’m rapping, singing, writing, or performing, the goal is always the same: leave people better than I found them—and make music that actually means something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saintci.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaintci
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintCiMusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/saintcimusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCghWmaVXHc5AhqTGPBuf2yA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=dk5qqyWU5ihPhNfm_Yk60g&utm_source=ishare
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-783014023
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19snkVoykMlOhTRBUi821Ahttps://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/saintci
Image Credits
Samantha Knott Photography | @SamanthaKnottCreative
Andru Martinez | @andrumrtinez