Seeking a better life, Sanni’s mother moved her family from the Bronx to Fort Worth many years ago. The theme of better times continues to play a central role in Sanni’s career as a rapper, singer and songwriter. Sanni sees music as a tool to uplift and a reflection of his Christian faith.

His recent single "Be Mine" is replete with soulful vocals, buoyant guitar lines and alternating crooning and rapping. We caught up with this local rising star to talk about life, music and grace. Image by Jeremy Hunt. 

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HAVE YOU ALWAYS BLENDED SINGING AND RAPPING?

"When I was about 14, I was always the guy who sang to impress the girls in high school. I’ve always done both. At the time, doing both wasn’t popular. If I was rapping, I was rapping. If I was singing, I was singing. Nine times out of 10, I was singing."


HOW DID YOUR BLEND OF R&B, SOUL AND HIP-HOP DEVELOP?

"Listening to a lot of Summer Walker, H.E.R. and early 1990s soul. I want to bring back that soul feeling. I want someone to feel something when they listen to my music."
 

WHAT SETBACKS HAVE YOU HAD BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC?

"Before the pandemic hit, I was invited to sing the national anthem at this [American Athletics Conference] college basketball game. I was so excited. Then, COVID-19 hit, and that didn’t happen. I had a radio interview in Atlanta canceled. I can’t dwell on what I can’t do. [Luckily,] I had some projects in the vault that I’m now focused on."

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS?

"I’m trying to drop a single sometime this month or next. It’s a song that addresses things that are going on. I feel like this is a time that people need healing. Yes, it started off bumpy, but we are going to make it through. It’s going to be called 'Better Days'."


WHAT IS ONLY BY GRACE?

"It’s a movement. I feel like the way you live should be by grace. You woke up by grace. You are living by grace — by God’s grace. I want to turn this movement into a record label eventually. First, I need to push my brand and to get my name out. I’m a Christian who is an artist. I like to express how I feel about Jesus. He brought me through so much. All my music is going to be uplifting."


WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE COMING MONTHS?

"I cannot wait for the pandemic to go away. I feel like I took life for granted. Hopefully, the pandemic will be over soon so people can get their jobs back. We love community. People who live up the street are telling me they miss me. The pandemic is separating us from people we love."