In February, rising star SadBoi made her performance debut on COLORS. The unique, aesthetic music platform based in Berlin and soon in New York, is dedicated to creating spaces for unconventional expressions that push boundaries and showcasing exceptional new artists. Toronto-based SadBoi is one of them – carving her very own niche in the music scene with a bold fusion of garage, house and Caribbean influences, from dancehall to reggaeton.
SadBoi’s “THERAPIST“ ON A COLORS SHOW
vor 2 days
Formerly known as Ebhoni, SadBoi released her first EP “Were all the IG Girls worth it?” in 2022. Her 2023 track “Potential” marked a breakthrough moment, paving the way for last year’s full-length projects “Bare Chat” and “Dry Cry”. In this interview, she talks about her vision as an artist, the stereotype of the “sad boy,” and her very own definition of sensuality.
COLORSxSTUDIOS – SAD BOI
Fräulein: Your music feels like an open diary. Take “Potential,” for instance. What drives you to be so vulnerable in your art?
Sadboi: Honestly, it all stems from me writing for myself – telling myself what I need to hear in that moment, whether it’s to uplift myself, feel heard, or reflect on something I’m too mentally consumed by. It’s kind of like a therapy session with myself.
The name “Sadboi” carries a lot of weight in internet culture. How do you relate to the meme or stereotype it represents?
Growing up, I spent so much time on Tumblr – it was my whole world. Seeing artists like Spooky Black and Yung Lean, that era of internet culture created this idealized “sad boy” aesthetic. And honestly, I respect it – I love it, actually. But for me, the name stems from something more personal: heartbreak. I was in a relationship with someone who truly embodied the “sad boy” persona, but in a very different way. He wasn’t the best person for me.
Canada has such a rich musical history. How has your environment influenced your sound or the stories you tell?
Growing up in such a diverse environment, I was introduced to different cultures on a daily basis – through music, food, people, everything. It felt like I was experiencing the whole world, all from Toronto. For example, when you go to a club, a restaurant, or even a store in the mall, you’ll hear a mix of music from almost every continent. So I think that influence naturally finds its way into my sound without me even realizing it.
COLORSxSTUDIOS – SAD BOI
There is a touch of rebellion in your sound, but also deep vulnerability. How do you manage the balance between the two, or do you tend more toward one?
I’m a lover girl – I want to feel needed and wanted. I want a relationship, I don’t want to be hurt, and I care deeply about how people treat me. But I’d never admit that to him, LOL. I’m terrible at expressing my emotions in the right way. When I’m going through something, I’d rather put on a badass outfit, do my makeup, go to a party, and have a few drinks – just so I don’t have to feel it. I don’t want to be sad. So in my music, you’ll often hear high-energy, feel-good, badass vibes, but if you listen closely to the lyrics, that’s where the vulnerability comes through.
What do you want people to take away from your music? Is it more about catharsis, connection, emancipation, or something else entirely?
I want people to feel a sense of connection. Sometimes I feel crazy for thinking the way I do or feeling the way I feel, so I put it into a song. I make music for myself – to release emotions, to make myself feel better. But over the years, seeing other people relate to what I write has become the best feeling in the world. I make music to build a community and to let people know they’re not alone.
What’s next for Sadboi? Can we expect a shift in your themes or sound, or is staying true to your current vibe part of the plan?
There will definitely be a shift – both thematically and sonically. Like we talked about earlier, so many different genres influence me, and I love exploring and experimenting. I’m a creative person in general, and music is such a great outlet for me. I want to evolve in ways that make sense for me as an artist. So yes, expect a shift for sure.
COLORSxSTUDIOS – SAD BOI
COLORSxSTUDIOS – SAD BOI
There’s a raw sensuality in your music. Sex feels less like a physical act and more like a metaphor for longing or escape. Do you see it as a form of liberation, or is it something more complex?
This ties back to me making music that makes me feel good, that lifts me up. I write 90% of the time alone – in my bathroom, where I can be my truest self without worrying about what anyone else thinks. I never really thought of it as liberation, but it absolutely is. For example, I don’t have the most voluptuous body, so some people might not perceive me as “sexy.” That can make me a little timid in certain spaces. But when I’m alone in my bathroom? I am that girl – the baddest, LOL. And that energy naturally comes through in my music.
Do you ever write with the intent to confuse or provoke, or is the ambiguity in your lyrics just a reflection of how life feels to you?
Ambiguity is just how I feel – especially when it comes to relationships, because they never make sense to me. How can things be amazing one minute and then fall apart the next? What changed? LOL. My writing is just a direct expression of what’s in my head.
But when I’m alone in my bathroom? I am that girl – the baddest, LOL. And that energy naturally comes through in my music.
Your music feels like it exists in a liminal space – somewhere between lo-fi nostalgia and high-energy catharsis. How intentional is that blend, and what’s your process for finding harmony between the two?
It’s not intentional at all. I think my whole life exists in a liminal space. I’m a dreamer, I dream a lot, but I also struggle to process things in a healthy way. I’m always in limbo with my emotions, and that just naturally comes out in my songs.
What made you choose this song for your COLORS show? Which aspect of your sound did you want to showcase, and why was this facet more important in this context?
“Therapist” was written over two years ago. I loved it from the moment we started creating it, but I was honestly scared to release it – it never felt like the “right” time. When the opportunity for COLORS came up, I just knew this was the perfect space to introduce that side of me. All the anxiety I had about sharing it disappeared. This was the best way to bring my baby into the world.
