We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah-A’Esha Sewell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah-A’Esha below.

Sarah-A’Esha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my first album, “In Due Time”, that came out July 2023.

Around that time I was growing through a season of foundational reflection. So many changes from my divorce finalizing a year before, finally seeing the light after enduring my first experience with depression, healing from the idea of abandonment, because of facing trauma rooted words that my biological mother told me over our first phone call, receiving restoration from not being able to know my biological father, through creating “In Due Time” with my biological brother as my producer and engineer, and lastly, going on a 5 month fast from dating that truly empowered me to love me.

The years 2021 to 2023 truly birthed this diverse and boldly honest project. Each song from “Chasing You” to “Love Note” was crafted from personal experiences that honestly, pulled me through the rough times of loneliness and insecurities. In fact, I can remember creating specific songs that I would play on repeat as I looked up at the ceiling in my childhood room. (I had moved back with my parents after my divorce).

Creating this project with my Big Brother Tramaine Long; who by the way, is doing phenomenally well in the Gospel industry! Seeing my brother frequently, after his move to Newport News and recent marriage was so healing because I never got a chance to meet or see in person my biological Father, whom Tramaine happened to look exactly like! Tramaine didn’t get a chance to have our Dad for long either but he knew that our Dad loved me so much and knew that the best chance I had at life was to be gifted away. My biological mother was not emotionally or mentally stable to keep me and was even told to try to hurt me as an infant… all things that I have forgiven her for.

My biological Dad, he also loved music and I was told that my favorite car, a blue mustang with a white stripe was actually a car he had! How crazy is that… also, my biological sister Cici has a mustang haha! I guess the genetic car taste runs in the family. Needless to say, I was also able to bond with my brother in a way that honestly, when I was younger, I was not ready for. The idea of being adopted didn’t make me feel good because in my mind, I love my own family that raised me, so when my two older siblings were trying to come into my life, it was hard for me to accept them.

Around the creation of the album, I was also dealing with the fact that, although I love my family, the older I got I could start to see that I am different and I wanted to know my siblings a little more in hopes that I can find inner peace and closure.

In Due Time, the album, was also a reflection of how Godly gifted I am in music and what can happen when I allow myself to be open and vulnerable in my music. Music has always been my form of expression but also a deep form of communication with God my Father. All of my songs for the most part with have a prayer or dialogue of some sort including my relationship with God in it. I even had to include a song specifically for God on the album, “Faithful and True” which talks about my wanting to be Faithful and True to God who has always been faithful and true to me. Also, “Committed” is a powerful song about how being loyal to God comes with its challenges and worthy sacrifices, but in the end, He is fully committed to me and His love fuels my commitment to Him.

“Liberty” is a hip-hop song about desiring to be free from old habits and behaviors that kept me going in cycles with unhealthy relationships partners. The idea that I needed a man to validate me or to make me feel desired and if not then I wasn’t worthy of love. Or settling for less is what you are supposed to do because no one is perfect. Or even looking for love in the wrong places when Love starts with God’s inner love for you.

“Chasing You” is a dynamic song that I love dearly because it is the realization of why a specific relationship had to end. This constant feeling of chasing a man that never had intentions on loving me the way Christ loves His church, died with the creation of “Chasing You”. My favorite verse is the chorus… “The damage its costing me, chasing after you is so deadly. Every step I take I’m losing the best parts of me.” Child! typing it is making me feel empowered because so many women are experiencing a relationship that feels like they are losing some of the most precious parts of themselves. Constantly pouring into someone who KNOWS how special and unique they are but still wont express the value and gratitude of having one of God’s precious gifts.

All of the songs have a story, but lastly, “Too Much Not Enough” so many of my friend’s and supporters personal favorite. Is about my struggle with always feeling as if I was asking for too much when really the guys I was accepting were just not enough and I had to learn to be “ok” with that.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Sarah-A’Esha M. Sewell but I am known as TheWordLyriK, the singer, performing artist. I grew up in Chesapeake, Va and attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic arts, although deals with acting, it has transformed my expression and artistry as a vocalist and performer. What sets me apart from other vocalist is my authentic expression. I believe I create a safe space for women and men to feel seen and heard through my music. Not only that but meeting me in person is a safe experience as well, I don’t aim to be above anyone, if anything appreciate the softness of humility. I genuinely care for those who are around me and for those who find peace in my music. I’m spiritual as well so when listening to my music I believe and have been told that there is an element of healing that people receive when listening.

I am most proud of my personal growth, I typically take natural breaks in creating and have seasons of rest because my personal life has to evolve in order for my artistic life to grow as well. So my thoughts used to be completely on being on a big stage and winning awards, which I still would like to happen BUT I have found peace in saying when I’m not fully ready for something in life yet. I appreciate more, the personal impact of a smaller audience and the beauty of having a more focused energy.

I’m hoping to build more of a community following because I’d like to create more personal events that are focused on healing. Like creating workshop for women and being a big sister or mother figure for younger women because I know most importantly we need each other. I want to be invited to speak at functions, which I have had the privilege to do before… but I want to make an even greater impact.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had a different perspective of record labels. My first ever project, “Whatcha Gonna Do?” was under my actual name, AESHA. When I first dropped my single I was immediately contacted by someone from Def Jam and they wanted to know if I was looking for representation. I told them ‘no’ out of fear that I would be taken advantage of and changed into who they wanted me to be. I just heard so many bad things about record labels that it completely ruined my idea of joining one.

However, I wish I was more educated on my power and legal rights… shoot or at least had the guts to say yes but i’d like to talk about what that looks like.

I was so set on doing everything on my own that I didn’t know the cost of my words. However, what if through this I could have gained mentors, a team, resources and a faster projection into my music career. However, I also can’t judge myself too harshly, everything happens for a reason. It goes back to being wise about what I am and am not ready for. And in disguise that could have been the Holy Spirit in me protecting me. Who knows except God Himself?

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

As far as social media presence, I’m obviously still growing mine, but honestly, if I was more consistent and not constantly evolving or growing through so many life changes, I think I would be further.

However, I am grateful that I have an authentic following. I love that my honesty and transparency has been a huge builder of my social media following. People love to feel connected to you and want to hear what you have to truthfully say. Of course creating your own aesthetic is key too. Expression and vulnerability plus beauty has been the growth of my platform.

My advice is to never try to be someone else. It’s “ok” to be inspired by others but, enjoy crafting your network and “try” to not focus on the likes and shares… It’s certainly easier said than done, and I have my struggles too but find a balance and in order to do that, learn your own worth. Grab hold to your value and worth and make sure that its tied to God and His thoughts about you, not what you think or the algorithm.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thewordlyriK
• Facebook: Sarah-A’Esha Sewell

Image Credits

@Hawkinsstudio.co
@Hawkins.classic
Lamont Hawkins | Photographer