Sheba Sahlemariam is the Lion of Sheba

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"My process is simple: I try to make music I would like to listen to. I let go and let God and try to hear what the muses have to say to me. I think the best way to way to be creative is to remember why I do it in the first place and then allow myself to enjoy the ride," Sheba Sahlemariam explains.  Reared in the concrete jungles of New York City, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa, Sheba Sahlemariam is a cousin to Emperor Haile Selassie, which highlights the serendipitous circumstances that moved her family from Ethiopia to Guyana, where she spent her early childhood and later, Jamaica.  Her time in the Caribbean deepened her connection to Reggae and Dancehall, the glue to her global and urban sound. Sheba stirs up a unique musical brew that is a mélange of Reggae grooves, Afro-beat, Ethiopian traditional music and jazz, R&B riffs, 16 bar rhymes, and Dancehall Sing-Jaying --souvenirs from her nomadic life.  Below is Sheba Sahlemariam's interview with Abesha.com.

Personal:
Where did you grow up? I was born in Addis, from there I lived in Germany and Guyana with a brief stint in Trinidad. I moved to Jamaica, Queens, New York with my family where I did most of my school. I lived in Canada for a year in high school and spent a lot of time in Kenya as well as returning to Addis often where my father lives. I also lived with my mom in Jamaica after I finished school. I think I'm still growing up:)

How do you feel living in Guyana influenced your music? The first music I ever heard and fell in love with was Calypso/Soca and Reggae music, which is the carnival music of the Caribbean. My parents and their friends always had Reggae music playing at their parties, and in those days there were a lot of parties. These sounds are important to the soundtrack of my life.

You studied film at Cornell, how did you decide to pursue a fulltime career in music? I really had no choice but to do music. It kept creeping back into my life no matter how much I tried to ignore it. I was good at Film, I'm sure I'll get back to it someday. I started singing at 2 or 3, I started writing songs before I could really spell. Music is my first love, Film was how I kept from dropping out of college:)

Music:

Who are your major influences? My main influences are my parents. They are really amazing people and I learn a lot from them. Musically I just love good music, I have to many musical heroes to list; but Bob Marley, Fela, Mulatu Astatke and Aretha Franklin are just a few. I think where and how I grew up are my biggest influences: especially growing up an immigrant in NY surrounded by a lot of Africans and Caribbean's in Jamaica, Queens during the '80's...my music sounds like I'm trying to make sense of all of that:)...Those experiences had a profound impact on me.

A lot of your album was produced in Jamaica, what was that like? Well it was between Brooklyn where I lived for years and Jamaica. I cannot describe the connection I have to Jamaica. It's more home to me than New York in some ways. Addis is always going to be in my heart; but Jamaica is one place I really get to be myself. I co-own a studio there...it's nothing much but my partners are like my family and they keep it really real and simple. People in Jamaica are very authentic, they always let you know where you stand; the culture is very vibrant too, full of life.

What is the most challenging aspect of producing your own music? Getting out of my head; not doubting myself...just letting myself go and being in the moment. Also it's hard to stay true to your vision. The biggest challenge is being honest with yourself. I think in general artists need to make a super human effort not to be overly influenced by what other people are doing and just try to blaze their own trail...it's tempting to peek at other people's work but the best work is always honoring your own authentic voice.

We heard rumors about you loving karaoke. Do tell! Some people go bowling or play poker; I do Karaoke! My winnings from Karaoke contests have gone towards paying for mixes/mastering/phone bills:)...I just love singing in an environment where people get really excited about good songs and don't get all Simon Cowell with the critic. Plus, winning is kind of addictive.

We love "Love this lifetime." How did you pick that song as your first single? I think picking a single is tough...thankfully my friend really believed in it and posted it online for me. Love this Lifetime was sort of chosen by the response it got on youtube. People gave a lot of feedback; they got in touch; DJ's requested it. That sort of clued me in that I needed to hurry up and get it out.

Have you thought of a name for your first album? The name of the first album is "The Lion of Sheba".

When can we expect the album to come out? It depends on what happens with the single; but I hope to put it out later this year. Also people have been waiting on it, so I want to make it worth the wait and make sure it's quality:)

Random:
New York or London? The whole world! One city is not enough for me. But I'm a New Yorker! I rep for my city! Love London too though, I got a lot of people there...big up to my London family!

Upcoming show: October 3rd, 2009 at Joe's pub in NYC.

Click on the links for free downloads of, "Love this Lifetime" Sheba Sahlemariam featuring Bounty Killer; and "Oxygen" Perfect featuring Sheba Sahlemariam, single called, “Oxygen.” Lion of Sheba Mixtape is coming out in a couple of months.