Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Shariefa

My current music project is deeply personal and very close to my heart. It is centered around healing, honesty, emotional freedom, and giving people a voice for the things they often struggle to say out loud. Through this project, I want to create music that does more than entertain. I want it to connect, comfort, and open conversations.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My earliest memory connected to music comes from growing up in a musical environment. Music was always around me. My father is a music producer, so I was exposed to the creative process from a young age. I remember hearing melodies, voices, and instruments coming together and feeling how powerful music could be, even before I fully understood it.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

My passion began with the way music made me feel. I realized that a song can say what the heart sometimes cannot. Music has the ability to move people, heal people, and bring light into dark places. That understanding made me want to use my own voice to inspire others and to be part of something meaningful.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

My current project was born from the desire to speak about emotional freedom. The song “I Just Wanna Be Free” speaks to silent struggles, pain, mental battles, healing, and the longing to break free from anything that holds a person back. It is about being honest with yourself, finding courage, and choosing freedom even when the journey is difficult.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I would describe my sound as soulful R&B with emotional depth. It carries an early 2000s R&B influence, but with a modern and heartfelt approach. My music is honest, warm, and expressive. It is the kind of sound that invites people to feel, reflect, and connect.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I have learned that vulnerability is powerful. When you stop trying to sound perfect and start telling the truth, the music becomes more meaningful. People connect with honesty. That changed the way I approach music because I now focus more on feeling, message, and authenticity.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

My voice is the most important instrument in my creative process. Beyond that, I value a good production environment where melodies, harmonies, and emotion can come together properly. Working with producers who understand the heart of the song is also essential because the right production can bring the message to life.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I am inspired by independent artists who are brave enough to tell real stories through their music. I love artists who are not afraid to be honest, emotional, and different. Right now, I am especially drawn to music that speaks about healing, faith, self-discovery, and overcoming difficult seasons. I enjoy working with Max Gozo, who is also an indie artists from South Africa. We have a couple of collaborations that we are busy with. 

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

My personal experiences have shaped the way I sing and the kind of music I want to make. Life teaches you that people carry so much behind their smiles. That has made me more intentional about creating music that speaks to the heart. I want my artistic vision to reflect truth, strength, healing, and hope.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I hope listeners feel seen, understood, and encouraged. I want them to know that they are not alone in what they are going through. I hope my music reminds people that healing is possible, freedom is possible, and that speaking up about pain is not weakness. It is part of the journey toward becoming whole.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Music has taught me that one voice can reach places that ordinary words cannot. A song can enter someone’s heart at the exact moment they need it. It has taught me to respect the responsibility that comes with creating music, because you never know who needs the message you are carrying.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I would love to perform on stages where people come with open hearts and a love for meaningful music. A dream would be to perform at a major R&B or soul music festival, especially one that celebrates authentic voices and independent artists. Being able to share my music internationally would also be a beautiful milestone.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with an artist like Alicia Keys. Her music carries soul, honesty, strength, and emotion. She has a way of making music that feels both personal and universal. That kind of artistry inspires me because it shows how powerful music can be when it comes from a real place.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music?

Listeners can follow and support my music on all major digital platforms, including Spotify and other streaming services. They can also connect with me on social media for updates, new releases, and behind-the-scenes moments from my journey as an artist.

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

My dream is to keep growing as an artist and to reach more people with music that carries meaning. I want to release songs that heal, empower, and inspire. I also hope to perform more, collaborate with other creatives, and build a musical journey that stays true to who I am.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope listeners discover that I am an artist who sings from the heart. I want them to experience my honesty, my passion, and my desire to use music as a source of healing and connection. More than anything, I hope they discover that my music is rooted in truth, emotion, and purpose.