Getting to Know Sadia: A Conversation About Music, Creativity, and Embracing Failure
Written by: Danielle Azu
Sadia is a D.C.-area singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer bringing her own soulful sound to the DMV music scene. From headlining local stages to reimagining covers and preparing to release new original music, Sadia is carving out her own space as a Black woman in music. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to sit down with her to talk about her journey, creative process, and the importance of embracing failure while pursuing your passions.
Grrrl Music: Can you tell everybody who you are in a few words?
Sadia: Hi, everyone! I'm Sadia. I'm a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer in the D.C. area. You can find me all over D.C. I perform a lot in Annapolis, Baltimore, and down in Virginia. I'm just running around and making noise!
GM: I want people to get to know you in the music scene. You've been involved in D.C. music for a while now, so what would you say has been your most memorable performance so far?
S: I have two! One was my show at The Pocket in November 2025. That was my first headlining show in D.C., and I was very excited but also very nervous because I set high expectations for myself. The week leading up to the show, I was running around D.C., going to open mics, events, clubs, and bars, handing out flyers and trying to get people to show up. I was determined to sell out that show, and I was able to do it!
That was a really special moment because I got to see all the little communities I've built throughout D.C. come together and support me. Seeing those different communities show up for me was incredible.
My second memorable performance was Adams Morgan PorchFest in April 2026. It was so cool to see people come out and appreciate D.C. music. Unfortunately, D.C. doesn't always get recognized as a major music city, so seeing Adams Morgan packed shoulder to shoulder was amazing.
I performed a lot of covers, and being able to connect with people through music—singing to them and having them sing back to me—was such a special experience.
GM: The D.C. music scene is such a melting pot. You've got R&B, underground boom bap, go-go, indie rock, garage music, and so much more. What do you feel you bring to the D.C. music scene that's uniquely yours?
S: I'm from the D.C. area. I was born and raised in Prince George's County, but I feel like I really came of age musically in Baltimore. I went to college there, got involved in the Baltimore music scene, and eventually made my way into the D.C. scene.
When I first entered the D.C. music scene, I noticed there was a lot of production, rap, and electronic music, which was really cool. But I found my niche because I'm also an instrumentalist.
I'd go to a rapper's open mic and pull out my guitar. I've earned the nickname "Guitar Girl" at a lot of establishments!
I'm really proud to be a Black woman who plays guitar. I feel like a lot of people don't see that represented enough. When I go into communities where kids might not have access to instruments or might never have seen a guitar in real life, I love letting them strum mine and experience it for themselves.
GM: September was a big month for you! You opened for Wé Ani, who's an amazing person, and you also participated in the first-ever DMV Talent Live. How were those experiences for you?
S: I always feel like I'm learning and growing. That's one of the biggest takeaways from where I am in music right now. I'm definitely improving, and I can see that, but I'm always trying to stay humble and acknowledge that there's room for growth.
Opening for Wé Ani was amazing. I take little bits and pieces of inspiration from everyone I work with. She's incredible vocally, and her band was so on point. Her arrangements were awesome.
I'm always a student, observing people and learning from what they're doing.
The same goes for DMV Talent Live. I didn't win, but there were some incredibly talented people there. I believe the winner was Chay Plays, a violinist who plays and dances at the same time. Her stage presence is off the charts! I was really inspired by her performance.
GM: You get out into the community a lot, and you do covers that I absolutely love. Your renditions feel intentional and raw. When it comes to performing covers, do you have a specific preparation process? Do you have an idea of how you want to reinterpret a song, or is there a story behind how you approach it?
S: My process is very organic and often happens on the fly.
At this point, I have a collection of songs I perform regularly, and I can do those with my eyes closed. But I'm always adding new material. Sometimes I'll have a gig, think of a song I want to play, look up the chords during my break, run through it quickly, and then perform it.
I think it's important not to be too married to the original song. People are often surprised by my interpretation and ask how I came up with it. Sometimes the answer is that I don't know the song that well!
I know enough of the original to get started, but I bring my own interpretation to it. The two things eventually blend together, and that's how the cover comes to life.
GM: You also have original music available on Bandcamp. Can we expect more original music from you? What does your songwriting process look like? Do you draw inspiration from specific experiences, or do you write whenever inspiration strikes?
S: My writing process isn't always linear. There's not necessarily a beginning, middle, or catalyst that gets me started. Sometimes I just have to be in the mood to write. Right now, my priority is to put music out for real this time!
I've been mixing some songs at Cue Recording Studios in Virginia. Unfortunately, my car's check-engine light came on, which derailed some of the finances for the project. I'll be honest about that! But we're back on track and continuing to mix the project.
Fingers crossed, the music will be coming out in the fall! As for writing, sometimes I have a specific inspiration or something I want to talk about, but other times I just write to write. I think songwriting is a muscle, and it's important to exercise it by writing different things.
One of my most recent songs that I've really enjoyed performing live is called "Girlfriend." There's not really a specific catalyst behind it. It's a love song, but I'm not in love with anybody right now! I just thought it would be cool to write a song from a songwriter's perspective. Honestly, I originally wrote it thinking I would give it away. I think that's a healthy way to flex your songwriting muscle.
GM: Now that we've learned a little more about you as a songwriter and creative, if you had to describe your sound using three adjectives, what would they be?
Sadia: That's a tricky one! I think lush is a good word. I really love harmonies, and I have an a cappella background. I was the music director of an a cappella group and a gospel choir.
When I started making demos for the project I'm planning to release, everything had a bed of harmonies. I'd record stacks and stacks of harmonies, so I think lush describes my sound well.
I've also been told that my music is very honest. I write from a vulnerable place, and the songs inspired by real life are genuinely inspired by real life.
Finally, I'd say soulful. I love a good bounce, and I love a powerful vocal.
GM: What can we expect from you moving forward? We know you have music coming out, but what are you most excited about in this next phase of your journey? Are you looking forward to more shows, trying something new, or exploring other opportunities?
S: I'm most excited about becoming more digital and building my online presence. Over the past year, I've done a lot of in-person work, which has been beautiful. I think I'm a stronger artist and performer because of those experiences. Now, I'm looking to expand my reach and connect with more people online.
I've had the opportunity to perform in New York, and that was my first New York show this year. I'm hoping to do more shows there, maybe in L.A., and eventually everywhere!
I'm excited to keep growing.
GM: Thank you so much, Sadia, for taking the time to talk with me and share more about who you are. I have one final question. What's something you would share with people about leaning into their passions?
S: Right now, in my current headspace, I'd say embrace failure. Failing means you're moving forward. I always tell myself, "You've just had one more failure, so you're one failure closer to your goal."
Also, remember that it's your life. Both of my parents are from Sierra Leone, and I come from an immigrant community. When I started expressing my desire to pursue music, my parents were apprehensive at times. That apprehension is still there occasionally.
But I've learned to stay focused, understand why I want to do what I do, and remind myself that this is my life. You're only young once, and you don't want to reach the end of your life regretting all the things you wish you'd done.
From building community through live performances to finding inspiration in the artists around her, Sadia is embracing every opportunity to grow and evolve as a musician. With new music on the horizon and plans to expand her reach beyond the DMV, she's just getting started. I hope rising artists and people in general heed her advice of embracing failure, staying true to yourself, and never letting fear keep you from pursuing the life you want.
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