Being heard is important to anyone, especially to emerging hip-hop artist Sona the Voice, an… Being heard is important to anyone, especially to emerging hip-hop artist Sona the Voice, an independent rapper offering a different message than the mainstream media.

Born in Cameroon, West Africa, Sona has spent his life struggling to move forward and shares a message about the status of the world and its social and political issues with anyone who will listen.

“Some people are scared to stand up,” Sona said. “I stand apart and say, ‘Look, this thing seems wrong. This thing seems right. Why don’t we think about it for a minute.’”

With the memories of growing up in poverty inside a crowded house in West Africa, Sona went on to put the past to good use, sharing his message with any listener who has open ears.

“I write about things in my past and also about some of the social struggles around the world,” Sona said. “There are a lot of people in America who do not get to see how some people live around the world.

While living in Africa, music became his escape.

Sona described the imported music from America and Europe as “music for people who don’t really have an outlet.”

Tupac was his favorite among all the artists.

“He kind of gave me a way out,” Sona said. “I would say that was my connection. He was an outlet in a country where you cannot speak your mind.”

Sona’s opinion of hip-hop and rap came from listening to music such as Tupac’s, and his opinion is set in stone.

“To me, good hip-hop is the traditional hip-hop that helps uplift people.” Sona said. “[Hip-hop’s] not about people talking about how much money they have or disrespecting someone else. It’s not about talking about how many women you can get. Good hip-hop is not about bragging. There are some social issues that could be addressed by music and helped by music compared to the so-called hip-hop we have nowadays.”

Sona’s belief that music should not always be about making money was also on his mind when his first single became popular.

“I always try to not get in over my head, just because I haven’t accomplished my goals,” Sona said. “It was a good thing, and it felt good in the sense that I was getting some good response and people were getting the message. And pretty much, that’s what I’m trying to accomplish. I’m trying to bring people into the reality.

So, what is his music about? Everything.

“It’s not just social issues. It’s about the music, too,” Sona said. “What I like to say is that it’s not only about bling bling. It’s not only about the money. It’s about helping each other. It’s about helping your neighbor and loving your neighbor.”

And, while all of his goals have not been accomplished, he will continue to produce music.

“I’ll consider myself an alternative,” Sona said. “Someone who is not going to let people impose something to him. I don’t let anyone stop me just because I’m independent. It means I make a sacrifice to create a change.”

In the end, according to Sona, “All that stuff kind of comes together and kind of makes me the person I am.”