Allow us to introduce you to Sallé. Having recently released her debut EP, Only Sad People Smile, on the back of successful singles, “Icon” and JAE5-produced, “Countdown”, this 22-year-old star is one to watch. Born and raised in Lagos’ Imo State, Sallé has always nurtured a multifaceted creative spirit, but when it came to the music, this calling found its way to her. The door to success burst open unexpectedly when a video of Sallé singing in her hometown went viral, catapulting her into the spotlight. And just like that, she blossomed from a humble young teen whose talent was contained within the four walls of her church, to a flourishing artist and hit-maker. Now, with wisdom beyond her years, Sallé is on a quest for emotional expression, creating music that reminds us to embrace our feelings and lean into our melancholy. After all, that’s what makes us human.
Here, Sallé opens up to GRM about her story and the raw emotions that ignited the creation of her first EP.
Congratulations on your EP, Only Sad People Smile. Tell us more about the meaning behind the title.
“The meaning is very literal – there have been phases of my life where I was going through so much, but all I wanted to do was party and laugh, and then go back home to cry. I’ve realised that this is what so many people do; we don’t like to acknowledge our sad moments. But you have to go through the whole process of being sad and take it all in for you to truly enjoy happiness.”
Is this something that you learnt over time, or has it always come naturally for you to be in touch with your emotions?
“It’s something that life had to teach me, I had to learn from my experiences. I used to pretend a lot and I had friends who hated me because they thought I was always sad. So accepting my emotions is definitely something I had to grow into.”
And how does music help you navigate those emotions?
“I would say it’s the only way I know how to; music is the only type of expression that I know. And so far, I’ve reached thousands of people who are going through the same thing. There are people across the world who are listening to Only Sad People Smile and it is healing a part of them, helping them find ways to be comfortable with being sad. I think music is really helping me to share this gospel.”
That’s so special. And what was the main inspiration behind this EP?
“The inspiration was all the crazy moments I had to go through, the experiences that made me almost go mad! Insomnia too, the insomnia was so crazy. There were times where I couldn’t sleep – I would just be staring at my ceiling, and all I had then was the chaos inside of me and my notepad. I was able to write most of those emotions down and just sing about it.”
If you weren’t a musician, what would you have ended up doing with your life?
“I would be a fashion designer or a writer. I used to write books! I’ve never said this in an interview, but I used to have a stammer. I still stammer now, I just know how to mask it better. But I used to stammer a lot, especially when I was trying to express myself or when I was angry, or when I was trying to tell a story. Writing was so much easier.”
Wow, thank you for sharing that. So you still write now, but through your music?
“Yeah, I do all of my writing myself. The area where I get most assistance would probably be in my melodies because I actually don’t consider myself so much of a singer. I like to call myself a creative and an artist, a songwriter. As a singer, I’m getting there. But I wrote all of my EP.”
And of course, your look is so distinctive. What inspires you in terms of your style?
“I’ve always been interested in fashion, even before starting a music career. I’m always the one to get the most compliments amongst my family and my friends when it comes to the outfits that I put together. So I think I’m growing into it, but it’s always been inside – I’m just manifesting it right now.”
What else do you think you bring to the music industry that makes you stand out?
“I like to believe that I am in a separate lane; I don’t like to count myself in ‘the industry’, even though I am! I just like to see myself as a girl who is making her craft, you know? I’m getting more defined in my sound, my style, my delivery as an artist. But I don’t watch or compare, I’m just doing my own thing, to be honest. I just want to make my music, that’s all I want to do.”
What kind of impact do you want to leave when people listen to your music and consume your art?
“First off, I want whoever listens to me to be very open-minded because I’m a very open-minded artist – I’m open to everything and anything. I want them to listen and understand me, because listening is one thing, but then understanding is another. I want them to be patient because my music sometimes takes time to sink in. And with the new EP, I want them to know that it’s ok to doubt yourself, it’s ok to give up and try again, and it’s ok to not be ok. Take life one day at a time. Nobody is paying us to live this life! So take your time.”
And finally, we’ve talked about embracing sadness, but what are you excited about when you think about how far you’ve come?
“I’m excited that this project is finally reaching the people that it’s meant for. I’m finding joy in that. And I have exciting songs yet to come. Finally, some things to be excited about!“