Next Wave: Sista Salem 

Sista Salem describes herself as “an emotional vessel,” and her music embodies that intention—an offering that translates what can’t always be spoken. Our September Next Wave artist moves with alchemy.

“My music is a translation of the unseen,” Salem emphasizes. “Emotions, experiences, things we don’t always have the words for. Jazz taught me freedom, soul taught me truth, and R&B taught me intimacy. I weave them together to create spaces where people can feel and recognize themselves.”

For new listeners, she describes her sound as both “a mirror and a sanctuary”—music that doesn’t just meet you where you are but invites you to dig deeper.

“It’s soulful, it’s fluid, it’s honest,” she says. “The community I’m building is one of recognition and release, where listeners can feel safe enough to shed what no longer serves them and step into something freer, more true.”

Salem’s artistry lives in the space between vulnerability and power, drawing inspiration from voices like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, and Sarah Vaughan.

“They remind me that artistry is also about bravery, about being unapologetically yourself,” she adds.

From her mother’s home filled with the sounds of Sade, Miles Davis, and Björk, to her own explorations into rawness and simplicity, her sound has become a continuation of those conversations.

“The difference now is that I’m no longer just listening. I’m answering back,” Salem declares.

September’s Next Wave theme continues to highlight Hispanic Heritage. While our September artists aren’t representing that culture, they understand how heritage often dictates and reflects artistry. For Sista Salem, culture is inseparable from creativity.

“My culture has always been at the heart of my creativity,” she reflects. “Being Black means carrying a lineage of resilience, expression, and liberation, and that naturally flows into my music.”

She points to Selena as a major inspiration, saying, “She showed me how to blend presence, vulnerability, and joy in a way that feels magnetic. That balance of truth and allure guides my work as an artist.”

What Salem brings to her artistry is transformation. She calls it alchemy—turning vulnerability into power.

“My voice is both an unveiling and a healing,” Salem shared. “It hypnotizes in the way a siren does—not to destroy, but to soothe, to draw people closer to themselves.”

In a fast-paced industry, she resists the rush to compete.

“Where some may move fast, I move deep. I think the true rebellion in an oversaturated industry is to be authentic. Intimacy, vulnerability, and presence will always cut through.”

Her work expands beyond sound, weaving into experiences that stay with people long after the music ends. One of her most impactful career highlights came when her friend Yana curated a dinner experience inspired by her EP. Each dish, drink, and detail was tied to the feeling of her songs.

“Experiencing that made me realize how deeply music can connect with others,” Salem says. “It affirmed that authenticity and emotional honesty can create experiences that linger.”

She continues to carve out her own lane by creating immersive worlds where listeners aren’t just consuming music but entering spaces of reflection, intimacy, and connection.

“I show up by blending the unexpected with authenticity,” Salem says. “My approach honors Black artistry while also exploring vulnerability, intimacy, and depth. Spaces that aren’t always highlighted but are essential to our humanity.”

For Salem, the future is about presence. She’s invested in meeting new listeners, building new connections, and embracing the unknown.

“I’m most excited for the people I haven’t met yet and just all the experiences. Every new listener, every shared moment, every new story,” she said. “It all means something.”

Her advice to artists forging their own path is as powerful as her sound:

“Honor your truth above all else. Find the parts of yourself that no one else can replicate and let that guide your art,” she advises. “The world is full of noise, but your authenticity is what will cut through and resonate.”

Be sure to follow Sista Salem’s journey here.