Not me! haha.

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Rec Philly Hosted their 3rd Annual IDMA Awards Last week!

and I was a nominee for the Community ChangeMaker Award. Although I did not win, it was an honor to simply be mentioned alongside my fellow creatives at Rec!

I look forward to more creative AND community impact as I continue to share music, movement, and joy with my community.

So much love to every winner in each category! It was well deserved.

Sanovia

Phew!

About three weeks ago, I received an invitation for a private audition on The Voice.

THE VOICE.

Initially, skepticism flooded my mind – social media is rife with scams, after all. Yet, I allowed the possibility that a casting director saw my work and believed I'd be a great fit.

Confirming it was a genuine opportunity, excitement bubbled within, though I kept it close, celebrating privately on IG live and sharing the news discreetly with my 'close friends.'

A few years ago, I would have broadcasted this news from the rooftops, shouting to the world that I, yes, I, was chosen to audition for The Voice.

But here I am, on the verge of recording the auditions, and I've hardly shared this exciting news with my grandmother, parents, or even my closest friends.

Reflecting on this at Rec Philly today, I realized I'd rather wait until it feels 'real' to celebrate. Funny, right?

I'm hesitant to embrace excitement to shield myself from potential disappointment. Who is this person? What happened to the girl who once screamed with joy as her childhood dreams unfolded? Where is the second-grade girl proud to be recognized as one of the best singers, the one with confidence, the one who reveled in her greatness?

She grew up. In the process, she forgot herself, lost her wonder, and abandoned faith. She began defending her gifts, forgetting that God doesn't need her defense – He needs her belief, practice, and prayers.

God chose me.

The journey to my destiny is paved by my current declarations. (listening to Transformation Church’s Charles Metcalfe).

It's time to let my words change my life, aligning them with God's truth.

Romans 10:9-11 states:

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Proverbs 18 reinforces the power of the tongue:

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips, they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

The truth is, I am more prepared for this moment than I've allowed myself to believe. To those I haven't shared this news with, my apologies – I'm only human.

Guess what, y'all! I'm auditioning for The Voice, and I'm choosing to celebrate boldly because God chose me. That's it.

THE PRAYER

God, my prayer is that my confessions be unreasonable, miraculous, and given to you. I pray there are things that ONLY you can do so that when I tell the story, I will be telling the story of what it’s like to believe in you. I pray for visions, signs, and wonders in the way I speak, think, and imagine. God, I repent for my unbelief. I repent for the times that I forgot that I had been called by you far before I was formed in my mother’s womb. God keep me ready, ridiculous, and reverent.

1 Timothy 6:12-16

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Come Move with Me is not just your average movement experience. It is an inclusive, interactive, and judgment-free space that welcomes individuals of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors, and dance abilities. Led by the talented trauma-informed artist Sanovia, this live movement experience is designed to leave you feeling refreshed and uplifted.

One unique aspect of Come Move with Me is the collaborative playlist creation. Participants have the opportunity to contribute to the playlist, ensuring that it caters to everyone's tastes and preferences. After a long day of work, this is the perfect way to unwind and move your body in a supportive environment.

And remember, you are encouraged to bring a friend along to share in the joy! The more, the merrier.

In terms of payment, Come Move with Me operates on a "Pay What You Wish" model, with a minimum contribution of $5. This allows for accessibility while also valuing the experience provided.

Light refreshments will be served to keep you energized and hydrated. The space itself embodies freedom of expression, liberation, and a deep connection with our bodies. Who knows, you might even be lucky enough to witness a special appearance by a guest DJ at one of the sessions.

So, if you're looking for a transformative movement experience that celebrates diversity and promotes self-expression, Come Move with Me is the place to be. Join us and let your body and soul soar.

RSVP

Ryshon Jones has been a friend of mine for a few years.

I’ve admired his art that has been shared by way of hip-hop, tweets, and glimpses into Ryshon’s creative experience via IG clips and swipes. Always showcasing his nature to “overthink,” Overly Consumed weaves the listener through life’s experiences from his point of view.

Track Titles and quotes below:

• Begin Again — “Fixing my relationship with acceptance.”

• See it Through — “Anxious now, but that’s a part of it.”

• Let it Wait (Ft. Sanovia) — “Don’t be scared to let it go ‘cuz it’s familiar.”

• Easier Said — “Sabotaging is expensive, but I pay.”

Let it Wait also graced the airwaves of And What LDN with Dj Calaida on November 27th, 2022.

Stream Overly Consumed.

MARKS THE PHILADELPHIA ARTIST’S FIRST RELEASE OF 2022 SHOWCASING HER IMMACULATELY SMOOTH VOCALS

(PHILADELPHIA, PA --- October 17, 2022) Sanovia has emerged as one of Philadelphia's most in-demand R&B musicians since 2019. The Philadelphia-based musician, born in Muncie, Indiana, is gaining recognition in the music industry and in her community as an upbeat storyteller who utilizes vocal and literary performances to motivate her audience to live more joyfully and authentically. With a brand-new single, "Perfect," releasing on November 5th, Sanovia sets off on a new chapter in her career.

Sanovia wrote "Perfect" in 2015 in response to an encounter she had with a person she was interested in at the time, who subsequently turned out to be in a relationship with another person while entertaining her. The frustration she felt inspired this tune, which began as a beautiful ballad but was changed into an exciting dance tune that encourages you to move your feet and dance, despite the situations in your life that turn out not to be so perfect.

Previous Coverage: Heartbeat Indy, RAWArtists, Guru Sound Magazine, Stars & Bars Creative, Visit Philly, Stumble Media TV.

Influences: Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Tori Kelly, Chrisette Michele, and Jill Scott.

Stay tuned for much more from Sanovia in the coming months and listen to her new single “Perfect” available to pre-save now & available to stream on November 6th, 2022, on all digital streaming platforms.

PreSave or Listen to “Perfect”

Follow Sanovia

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For more information on Sanovia, please contact: Kymani Lewis Kymani@soulerarecords.com