We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sontaé. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sontaé below.

Sontaé, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?

Not that I wish I started sooner because I’ve always pursued music with a career mindset. I wish I would’ve applied my full potential to my craft sooner. Along the road, I had gotten distracted by the obstacles that life had thrown at me which caused me to second-guess my talent and capabilities at times. Several times I had given up and didn’t think making a life out of lyrics was possible.

Sontaé, 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?

Music has always played a part in my life. The constant need to write the thoughts that compiled in my head drove me to write poetry and lyrics. In middle school/Highschool, I was always singing and rapping in class. I began writing lyrics about my everyday life and everyone around me. Early on I knew that I wanted to create music of substance but didn’t quite have my skills perfected. With much trial and error, I finally found my sound after listening to Kendrick Lamar’s first mixtape titled: Overly Dedicated Mixtape. Here was someone from the West Coast who was a unique conscious lyricist. That sound had only been heard on the East Coast before. After my first initial listening to that Mixtape, it changed my entire outlook on the lyrics, delivery, and message behind my verses.

Soon after I found the confidence to release my music on Soundcloud which gained a few listeners every so often. Eventually, I began getting recognition which opened doors for local performances in my hometown of Sacramento, Ca.
Later on, I began getting out-of-state gigs which are every artist’s dream.

I didn’t realize that the main problem that I was solving for my listeners is I found a way for them to find their voices through the words that I speak. I often receive messages about how people can relate to my words because I talk about real-life situations and relationships that many of us have gone through / will go through.

I’m most proud of the fact that I didn’t give up on myself. Anyone who is pursuing anything worth going after understands how lonely, dark, and misguided it feels to travel this path of uncertainty.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The society of creatives to promote one another not solely on social media but word of mouth is still the strongest tool today. Show up to strangers’ gigs before the rest of the world catches on to their impact. Don’t be afraid to openly show love to those people with a small following. Buy merchandise, tickets, or whatever it may be to show that artist that their talent matters and they have something to contribute to the world.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to give a voice to the voiceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unitedmasters.com/a/iamsontae
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sontae/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamsontae
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sontaeholland
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sontae