We recently connected with Sofia Niba and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sofia, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful…
I’ve been reflecting on the concept of success ever since I realized I was creating, developing, and bringing a vision to life. There’s certainly a connection to the external world — recognition, rewards, income, and all the measurable outcomes that can result from your work. But to truly be and feel successful, I believe most of the work happens internally.

Often, there’s a gap between how others perceive us and how we see ourselves. The bridge between these two perspectives lies in our psyche, in our body. In my view, the more you know yourself — the more you’re willing to explore the depths of your inner world — the better equipped you’ll be to find solutions and make conscious, aligned decisions.

Being aware of your why, understanding your goals, and committing to them — even when you fail — is essential. To me, success is about learning to navigate through those challenges, drawing from personal and meaningful motivations, and continuing to move forward with intention.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in Florence, Italy, to a Cameroonian father and a Japanese mother. My home was filled with art in all its forms, and from a very young age, I was exposed to symbols and ideas from all over the world. Education and discipline have always been central in my life — from school to piano lessons, track and field, kendo training, and eventually my studies at the University of Florence.

At the age of 20, I went through a phase of deep doubt. I found myself in a sort of limbo, divided in two. I slowly realized that the life I had been living didn’t reflect who I truly was. I felt limited, suffocated — as if I were living according to others’ expectations, shaped by my family and environment.

At 21, I experienced one of the most pivotal, yet quietly revolutionary, moments of my life. After graduating from university, I made the decision to completely change my path and pursue a career as a singer and songwriter — in a country like Italy, where the music scene is deeply rooted in tradition and conservatism.

Through this choice, I discovered a new meaning in life — a mix of pleasure and pain that I was willing to embrace because it was mine alone. For the first time, I was no longer driven by external pressures, but by an inner calling.

The greatest challenges have been staying true to my vision and authenticity, while remaining open to growth and self-questioning — and protecting my identity as a second-generation daughter still navigating its many layers.

I feel a deep sense of responsibility toward the world that raised me and the people around me. At the same time, I crave change and revolution. Through my music, I strive to create a new dimension — a world that is inclusive, unique, and safe for those who seek introspection, connection, and a space to simply Be and Feel. I want to offer new imaginaries and perspectives to my generation — alternative ways of seeing and existing.

I compose my own music, write my lyrics, and oversee every aspect of the creative process: from artistic direction to photography to production. For me, it’s about quality, not quantity. Taking care of the smallest details and focusing on the essence of the work is something I learned through my original path — the martial art of Kendo.

Today, I collaborate with other creatives who share the same hunger for transformation and meaningful contribution in the centre of the music industry, Milan. Being an independent artist allows me the freedom to make bold and unconventional decisions — in every aspect of my career.

My mission is creative emancipation, originality, and brutal honesty.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The best thing about being a creative is the ability to connect with different types of people — exchanging ideas and stories that enrich and deepen each other’s knowledge. For me, the most important aspect of my creative journey is connecting with other creatives, as it helps me expand and solidify my craft while also pushing me to innovate.

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

Your inexperience is not a reason to retreat or give in.
There have been moments when I doubted my ideas especially when I was working with people who had been in the industry longer than me and that tried to fit me into a boxes of expectations and stereotypes. But I’ve learned that compromising your truth and identity to please someone else’s ideas only leads to losing focus, energy, and time — all of which are crucial to your work. It’s so important to nurture the muscle of Intuition, and to pursue your ideas while still being open to learning and exploration.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @onnahbugeish.a
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-niba-0b9b361b7
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onnah__
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/3zM1bATgHaGsLe7vSZyKoP

Image Credits

Photographers:
@psychedelicate1
@makka.sani
@para.logismo
@matteo_postiglione