Articulation By: Bri Renee
Sasha Renee has the confidence of a music veteran. Her demeanor is both comforting and demanding of your attention. Nine years in the music game, two albums, and curating one of the dopest weekly musical events in the city, and you can tell she’s found her groove.
From writing her first rap at the young age of ten, to finally recording a song in a dorm room on U of L’s campus, and surprising everyone including herself at just how great she was, Sasha’s journey has been one of self-discovery. Her music talks about her life experiences, her melodic, sing-songy flow riding each beat almost methodically. Though she says “I still consider myself underground”, she has the poise and drive of a mainstream artist. You can tell from her first album, I Am Sasha Renee, to the next, F.L.A.V.A. , that she’s matured.
“I’m an open book”, she says, answering questions sincerely and making eye contact. She speaks freely about her sexuality as a queer woman in music, ”You have to have sex appeal in the industry...I’m just owning it”, laughing at the mention of her having a way with the ladies, stating “this is new. This is literally like the last 6 months”, since she’s newly single. She notes that her coming out story isn’t some grand spectacle, but a small part of her journey, another piece of the puzzle. “I came out when I was 24. It was a couple of years after college...I just realized I liked women”. She is getting to know herself on a deeper level, and enjoying every minute of it.
Sasha has a vibe about her. One so infectious that after a performance, she was approached by the venue owner and offered an opportunity to host a weekly event of her choice. After taking a couple of days to think about it, she came up with the idea for the Louisville Vibe, a showcase for up and coming musicians, poets, and comedians. “I gotta fill the void in the city of needing that open mic platform”. She wanted to give other artists the opportunity to put their talent on display. You can tell by the way she gushes over other artists like Jordan Jetson, Kori Black, and Pretty Face, and producer WopsWorld (who masterfully produced her current album) that she truly wants everyone to shine, and if she can help you do so, she will.
This year, Sasha is planning a multi-city tour for her latest album. She’s also focused on building her brand, and will be releasing a new project, as well as some song covers in 2020. She's found her stride, and she’s intent on leaving a legacy of good music, love, and unity in the city. With that said, it’s only up from here. Sit back and enjoy the growth as she transitions from just Sasha Renee the underground artist, to Sasha Renee the mogul.