Sadja: A Journey Across Languages, Cultures, and Music
By Natalie Wheeler
I recently spoke with Sadja, a Cuban–Canadian singer now based in Portugal, whose music moves fluidly across languages and genres. Blending Latin pop, soul, and international rhythms, her songs are layered with emotion and storytelling. Singing in Spanish, French, and English, she crafts music that reflects diverse cultures and identities, offering listeners a sense of connection and belonging wherever they are.
“Aunque Vuelva”
We began the interview by discussing Sadja’s newest song and video, “Aunque Vuelva,” her original bolero. Sung in English and Spanish, with a single line in French, this nostalgic Latin ballad explores the experience of revisiting a familiar place and realizing that both you—and your relationship to the memories you carry—have changed over time. Sadja filmed the video at home with her fiancée, Chantal, adding an intimate and personal layer to the release.
The Story Behind the Song
Diving deeper into the story behind the song, Sadja shared that her fiancée’s family had recently faced the difficult task of selling her grandmother’s family home, which had been passed down through generations. As relatives sorted through boxes filled with photos and keepsakes, she was struck by the realization that she could never preserve her own tangible memories in the same way. One of her grandmother’s homes in Cuba had passed to other relatives and was essentially off-limits, while the other remains in her family but is extremely difficult to access due to Cuba’s strict passport regulations. Returning is also emotionally complex, given the ongoing hardships and forms of oppression faced by much of the Cuban population.
While working on “Aunque Vuelva,” Sadja came to understand that the most meaningful memories aren’t things you can box up—they live within you. That emotional shift is reflected in the song itself: it opens with a sense of longing and loss, then gradually resolves into hope. The recording process was deeply emotional, often requiring multiple takes as she found herself crying while singing. The final track stands as a powerful example of just how personal and deeply felt her songwriting truly is.
“Aunque Vuelva” Cover Art by Casa Dreams Productions Inc.
Several lyrics in the song are especially intentional. One line, “Les vols de Montréal direction L’Havane,” translates to “the flights from Montreal headed to Havana,” grounding the song in her lived experience of traveling between cultures and homes. Another carefully placed lyric appears in Spanish during the first chorus: “la niña que iba con mi abuela por el malecón.” This line is a clear nod to her childhood visits to Cuba and memories shared with her grandmother. El Malecón—a Havana staple where people gather by the sea for daily walks and conversation—was a central part of her upbringing, and the image is one that resonates deeply with many Cubans who grew up spending time there with family.
Cultural Identity, Influences, and Skills
Sadja’s journey across cultures lies at the heart of her sound and artistic identity. Fluent in three languages and shaped by a rich, diverse upbringing, she reflects:
“Language is expansion and opens new perspectives. Multiculturalism promotes connections—and the more capacity you have for language and culture, the more understanding you have and the more deeply you can connect across cultures.”
For Sadja, this philosophy isn’t just theoretical; it’s the lens through which she creates, allowing her music to bridge worlds and invite listeners into a shared emotional space. In “Aunque Vuelva,” she intentionally switches between English and Spanish to best convey her sentiments. The single French line serves as a subtle nod to Montreal, the city where she grew up.
Her artistic vision is also shaped by her inspirations. Sadja cites Shakira as her number-one influence, viewing her as the benchmark for bilingual crossover and cultural connection. She admires Shakira’s versatility, songwriting, melodies, and the way she brings music to life through movement—qualities that continue to inspire Sadja as she develops her own musical identity.
In addition to her musical and cultural fluency, Sadja brings an unexpected skill set into her creative process. Much like her ease with multiple spoken languages, learning to code taught her how different “languages” can open new ways of thinking, create connections, and offer fresh perspectives on the world. This blend of curiosity, structure, and creativity quietly informs how she approaches her art.
Photo of Sadja by Step Up Media
Finding Her Grammy Mission
Sadja began taking singing lessons in 2022, and in that process, she discovered something that felt deeply familiar—almost like coming home. The defining moment when music became more than a side passion came during the 2024 Grammy Awards:
“During the 2024 Grammys, I was watching Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus perform ‘Flowers’ and listening to their speeches, and it just hit me—it was fated for me. I knew in that instant that I was going to give everything I have to find my path to that Grammys stage.”
She has since shared that goal publicly, describing this phase of her career on Instagram as a “three-year mission to win a Grammy.” For Sadja, it’s not just a dream—it’s a plan she’s actively working toward.
It took her a year to build the confidence, develop a strategy, and create the content needed to support that vision. Having spent years producing content for others on social media, she already possessed the skills to cultivate an audience of her own. Since committing fully, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. What touches her most are messages from listeners who say she has inspired them to pursue their own creative paths. Sadja focuses not on competition, but on encouragement and community:
“Every artist has their own unique fingerprint and will connect in a different way to their fans. One artist’s success never takes away from another; it just contributes to the greater good of connection and healing.”
Another key component of her three-year mission is consistency. Sadja is holding herself accountable to building a full catalog within a year, releasing roughly one song per month. The greatest challenge, she says, is pushing through moments when motivation runs low—especially in an industry where feedback and validation often come long after the work is done. Her approach is to keep creating anyway, trusting the process even when results aren’t immediate.
Photo of Sadja by Casa Dreams Productions Inc.
She also reminds herself that difficulty is unavoidable in life. Choosing to follow your passion, she believes, makes those hard moments more meaningful. With time and distance, she’s learned to revisit her work, recognize her growth, and reconnect with the deeper purpose behind what she creates.
Nomadic Life and Portugal
Sadja has spent the past five years living a nomadic lifestyle, traveling extensively with her fiancée. She is currently based in Portugal, where she began performing regularly last summer in São Miguel, taking the stage and attending auditions. She finds the atmosphere there reminiscent of Cuba, particularly the island’s culture, and appreciates the sense of calm compared with the fast pace of Canada.
Portugal has become both a home and a creative sanctuary, offering space to perform, reflect, and build momentum. Sadja hopes to remain there for another couple of years, treating this chapter as a long musical retreat that aligns with her current goals and inner creative landscape.
Final Thoughts
Through it all, Sadja’s journey reflects a blend of cultural fluency, personal resilience, and unwavering dedication to her craft. Portugal has become a grounding force in her life, allowing her to grow as an artist while keeping her sights set on ambitious goals like the Grammys. She is quick to give credit where it’s due: her fiancée, Chantal, remains a constant source of support and encouragement, helping her navigate the emotional highs and lows of pursuing a creative life. Want to join Sadja’s journey to the Grammy’s, Follow Sadja’s on Instagram @sadjaofficial.
Edited by KBR on December 22, 2025
