It has been nearly three years since sahn emerged from a period of heartbreak and grief. Simone Ledward Boseman, known by her government name, was deeply affected by the death of her husband, Chadwick Boseman, in August 2020. After years of navigating the highs and lows of their life together, which included cancer battles and privacy struggles, Simone turned to music as a form of expression and healing. In an exclusive interview with Yahoo Entertainment, she discusses the non-linear journey of grief and her newfound intolerance for excuses.
Simone’s journey as a musician began with her songwriting process, which has always served as a way for her to process her emotions. After Chadwick’s passing, she felt a strong determination to overcome any obstacles and excuses that could prevent her from pursuing her passion. This led to the creation of her haunting lullaby, “wake up my love,” followed by the soulful lead single “angelsxdemons” and the heartfelt spoken word tribute to Chad, “the mornings.”
These songs eventually formed the basis of her debut album, titled “the mornings.” This album showcases sahn’s unique blend of ambient alternative soul and represents her emergence as a fearless artist in her own right. Comparisons can be made to the likes of Jorja Smith, Erykah Badu, Sade, and Ali Farka Touré, as sahn brings her own creative twist to the genre.
Prior to the release of her album, sahn had been patiently waiting for her chance to shine as a recording artist. Born Taylor Simone Ledward, she had been singing for most of her life and was influenced by artists such as Sam Cooke, Motown, A Tribe Called Quest, and Lauryn Hill. However, she had initially been encouraged to pursue a more stable career path. It was only after witnessing Chadwick’s dedication to his craft as an actor that sahn began to envision herself as an artist.
The transformation from Simone to sahn has been a gradual process over the past few years. As she entered a new phase of self-awareness and clarity, she started to focus on her own desires and purpose. The name “sahn” comes from a meditation term, symbolizing peace and endurance of breath for singers.
Inspired by Steven Pressfield’s book “The War of Art,” sahn began writing music in October 2020 as a way to heal from her grief. The songs flowed naturally, and before she knew it, she had crafted an entire album. “The mornings” has a double meaning, representing both the start of a new day and the healing process.
Throughout the album, Chadwick’s spirit is ever-present. sahn acknowledges the profound influence he had on her life and artistry. His support, encouragement, and constructive feedback played a pivotal role in her growth as an artist. Making the album became a therapeutic experience for sahn, allowing her to confront her emotions and find comfort in vulnerability.
With the release of “the mornings,” sahn’s talent is gaining recognition from major outlets and audiences alike. She plans to release a visual album in the coming weeks and is excited to see where her music takes her next. For now, she intends to savor the experience of releasing her first album and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
