When our interview started with Sadboi, we didn’t immediately dive into her viral moments or her co-sign from Drake. Instead, we were met with Ebhoni Cato-O’Garro’s vulnerability as we discussed her mental health journey, candidly sharIng how she has learned to prioritize her well-being throughout her rise in the music industry. “I recently started doing therapy because I felt like that was best for me,” she tells GU. “I haven’t been in a month now and I actually feel the effect of not going, so I’m trying to get back into the things she taught me and better my mental.”
From the making to the release of her debut project, BARE CHAT, she’s embarked on a lot of relationship hardships, and self-discovery. This focus on mental health has been essential for her, especially as she navigates the pressures of her burgeoning career. “From [a] young [age], I just dealt with things a certain way, and it was more me holding things in,” she says.
As the Toronto native transitioned from childhood to adulthood she realized she needed healthier outlets to unleash her frustration and began to pour into herself through her music. Like many Gen Z’ers, the rapstress is still trying to figure things out in her career and life overall. She’s found a pocket in her creativity that helped her find her voice and confidence. “I make music to uplift myself,” she says. “When I listen to the production I think about things that I’ve experienced and gone through and try my best to say things from a point of view that’s vulnerable and my own therapy session.”
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Sadboi did that not just once but twice through her viral singles “Slide” and “Baddies.” Both songs fill the speakers with affirmative lyrics and synchronized beats infused with Caribbean notes and her signature Toronto sound. The songs became viral successes as people made Get Ready With Me videos, dance videos, and more online, drawing massive attention to her.
Initially, not knowing if these songs would become the massive hits they are, she simply trusted the process and made music to affirm herself and remind herself of her self-worth. “I just had fun. I didn’t overthink things and just said whatever was on my mind,” she says.
She also credits her Caribbean upbringing for her authentic sound and unique perspective through each song. With a Jamaican mother and an Antiguan father, she was exposed to many different melodies and tunes that helped guide her musical ear. “I was really blessed and fortunate to grow up in a space like that,” she expresses. “That plays a big role in the slang and production of my music, so where I’m from plays a big part.”
Through those core memories from her household and Toronto, she could put all those moments into the Sadboi persona. With her eclectic sound paired with a standout aesthetic of two braids and runny eye makeup, she was bound to have all eyes on her starting with the stage name. “Saboi actually came from this guy I was dating and he had a baby on me and proposed to the girl, where I found out on Twitter and Instagram,” she tells GU. “I was so devastated and kept making music about him, referring to him as ‘Sadboi,’ I was listening back to the songs and [decided] to change my artist name.”
In true Sagittarius fashion, that moment shifted her perspective on relationships, her career, and her artistry. Her debut project, BARE CHAT, serves as the full circle moment she gets to have after experiencing such an embarrassing and heartbreaking moment. She starts the project with “Vex,” a braggadocious get-back record that sends shots to those who may have doubted her and reminds herself she will add value anywhere she goes. “I made you look good, so tell your friends/ don’t forget I still have your secrets tucked in bed,” she raps.
As we explore the various layers and sounds through her project from “Let It Ring,” featuring Kaliii to “Potential” she’s opening up and truly reflecting on the challenges she’s faced throughout her life. “I’ve [learned] that I really do care, a lot of times my coping mechanism was to act like I didn’t care and shut things out,” she says. “Now, I’m so grateful to music [being an outlet], and I’m starting to realize that I care and am sensitive.”
As she celebrates the release of her debut project, she’s able to reflect on the moments of strength she’s had during her journey along with a growing support system, including a fellow Toronto native, Drake. “The title was actually named by Drake. I had the chance to speak with him, and I played him a few songs on the project and expressed how I wanted it to feel and stand for, and he made a list of different titles,” she says. “[BARE CHAT] was the one we both picked and stood out the most. It’s very Toronto, so it’s definitely for the city.”
Sadboi is bringing vibrant summer vibes with her debut project being a testament to her roots and artistic evolution. This project showcases her musical versatility and authenticity, as she remains a Toronto shorty at heart. Through her refreshing and relatable tracks, she invites new listeners into her world, blending the energy of summer with the raw emotion and storytelling that define her unique sound
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About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.