I’m thrilled about this next feature! I recently had the opportunity to chat with Saaneah, a talented Nashville-born artist and singer, who recently made history as the first Black female artist from Nashville to make her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. To celebrate, what better way to complement her feature than with a Southern-style-dish-savory salmon croquettes paired with purple cabbage, perfectly matching her stunning purple hair? Check out the recipe below. 

Saaneah discovered her musical ability at a young age while spending time at her great-grandmother’s house. One Christmas, while watching an episode of Martin, she was captivated by the character Pam singing Silent Night. Inspired, she tried singing it herself and to everyone’s surprise, it sounded amazing. At just six years old, her family immediately recognized her gift. Her great-grandmother encouraged her, calling family members to share the news of her talent. Even before this realization, Saaneah had been an entertainer at heart. Her Granny Sue reminded her of how she would use an empty paper towel roll as a microphone at just three years old, standing on the fireplace and belting out “Hallelujah” as if performing for an audience. After discovering her voice at six, her great-grandmother enrolled her in the church choir, where she developed and refined her singing talent. Her first standing ovation came when she performed “O Holy Night”, inspired by Mahalia Jackson, further solidifying her love for music.

Her musical influences are deeply rooted in jazz, gospel, and country, with inspirations including Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, and Patsy Cline. She has always admired Michael Jackson’s ability to innovate and emotionally connect with music, sharing a birthday with him and feeling a strong artistic connection. Saaneah excels in singing, dancing, and performing, having attended the Nashville School of Arts, where she honed her skills in multiple artistic disciplines.  

One of her most profound influences is Nina Simone. She first encountered Nina Simone’s music at 14 years old when she received a Nina Simone CD as a birthday gift. At first, she mistook Simone’s deep, powerful voice for a male singer, but as she continued listening, she was moved by her brilliance. Simone’s ability to evoke deep emotion resonated with Saaneah, shaping her desire to touch people through music in the same way. Nina Simone has been a major inspiration for Saaneah, not just for her musical genius but also for her role as a changemaker. Simone was a maestro on the keys, an incredibly prolific artist whose work extended beyond music, she used her platform to speak on social issues and push for change. Saaneah deeply connects with this aspect of Simone’s legacy, as she also strives to break barriers and use music as a tool for unity and progress. When performing at venues like the Grand Ole Opry, Saaneah approaches each performance with intention, hoping to create harmony and inspire change. She believes that music has the power to heal and bring people together, bridging divides and addressing inequalities. In her view, an artist has a responsibility to reflect the times, just as Simone did.

Also Happy Black History Month! Please check out Saaneah’s take on “Lift Every Voice and Sing”—aka B.N.A—is out now. You get to decide how much it’s worth, and every contribution goes toward making her music video a reality ($5 encouraged). Help Saaneah make history with a download today. Her goal is to drop this visual by the end of February!

PLEASE Download, share, and show some love

Saaneah is often described as a whimsical artist, someone who moves like a colorful wind, following wherever her inspiration leads. She believes that God guides her musical influence, and at this moment, that influence is country music. However, she calls herself a “genre bender”, an artist with the innate ability to authentically honor multiple genres while building a strong foundation in each. While Saaneah’s currently focused on creating country music and working on a country album set to release in summer 2025, her musical journey started in R&B. Her first EP, “While You Wait”, was R&B, which she executive produced herself, and as a Nashville native, she took great pride in shaping that project. Saaneah made history as the first Black female artist born and raised in Nashville to perform on the Grand Ole Opry Stage. While Linda Martell was the first Black woman ever to perform at the Opry, Saaneah is the first native Nashvillian Black woman to do so, an achievement she deeply cherishes. She is passionate about honoring Black artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping country music. While the media often overlook these contributions, Saaneah is determined to bring their legacies to the forefront. Black musicians have always been a part of country music, and figures like Charley Pride, DeFord Bailey, and Linda Martell were among the genre’s early pioneers. Though she didn’t initially see herself in country music, she later realized that she had always connected with its storytelling, craftsmanship, and raw emotion. Influences like Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, and Shania Twain helped shape her love for country music. She was particularly inspired by Shania Twain’s ability to blend country with dance and female empowerment, which resonated deeply with Saaneah’s own mission of uplifting and empowering women. 

Saaneah’s impact extends beyond music, she also made history as the first Black model to be the face of American Eagle. This representation was powerful for her, as she has continued to push for visibility and inclusion in spaces where Black artists and creatives have been underrepresented. Saaneah is a chameleon in the world of music, thanks to her classical training and versatile artistry. She aspires to create successful albums across multiple genres, including Classical, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Pop, and Country. She sees no limits in music, embracing the evolving industry where artists like Post Malone and others are exploring beyond their original genres. She believes that music is meant to function in freedom, and today’s independent artists have more opportunities to create without being confined to one category. Saaneah is riding that wave of musical openness, making space for herself and others to break barriers, challenge expectations, and celebrate the rich diversity of music.

So what’s Next for Saaneah? Saaneah’s latest single, “Get the Hell Out of Dodge”, written by Alice Randall and Walter Hyatt on the album, My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall, is deeply personal. The song tells the story of leaving a toxic relationship and stepping into freedom, a theme that resonated strongly with Saaneah when she recorded it. When the producer, Ebonie Smith, introduced the song to her, she was in a similar place in her own life, grappling with whether to stay or leave a relationship. It felt like divine timing as if God had placed this song in her path to push her into her next chapter. The song’s message is universally relatable, about knowing when it’s time to move forward, let go of the past, and embrace a new beginning. The lyrics evoke a sense of freedom and self-liberation, something Saaneah has personally experienced. She recorded the song in February 2023 during a difficult period, she was displaced from her home after a tornado and was living in her car while traveling between Atlanta and Nashville to perform gigs. Despite these challenges, she poured everything into the recording, and when the song was released on April 12, 2024, it deeply resonated with audiences. At the My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall album release party, where she performed the song in front of Alice Randall’s friends, the reaction was instant and powerful.

Saaneah has been writing down her dreams and watching them come true. She once set goals to perform at places like the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, and she achieved them. She was also recently invited to the CMA Awards where she had the pleasure of meeting Shaboozey. Now, she is setting her sights even higher: landing a song on the Billboard charts with a follow-up country single; embarking on her first-ever tour; gaining national television exposure; and expanding her musical reach and audience. She knows that patience and persistence are key, but with her undeniable talent and magnetic stage presence, her future is limitless. 

When Saaneah performs, she’s fully present, immersing herself in the music and connecting deeply with her audience. She wants her music to speak to dreamers and remind people that they are loved and can overcome challenges while still living a joyful life. She wants her fans to know their dreams are always within reach, regardless of age, size, or background. As long as you’re alive, you have a purpose. 

Love is love. Everyone deserves to live and love authentically.

Her name, Saaneah, means one who brings knowledge of peace and love, and that’s exactly what she strives to do with every note she sings. She hopes that when people listen to her music or attend her shows, they feel peace, love, and a sense of hope, even if just for a few hours. She believes music has the power to save lives, heal pain, and bring people together, and she fully embraces that responsibility as an artist.

Be sure to follow Saaneah on Instagram and stay tuned for her upcoming Summer 2025 EP release. We are so excited for the powerful next chapter in her musical journey!

Follow Saaneah on Instagram

When it comes to food Saaneah follows a primarily vegan diet but also eats fish and chicken, with salmon being one of her absolute favorites. She does not eat red meat, she’s never had lamb, steak, or beef, and she avoids dairy and gluten due to sensitivity. Her diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, leaning toward clean eating with a love for hearty, flavorful dishes.

Saaneah is a true soul food lover, and greens are one of her favorite comfort foods. She can eat an entire bag of them, but they must be made with that old-school Southern flair, the way her 84-year-old Granny Sue makes them, infused with love and tradition. Salmon is her go-to protein, often added to salads like her favorite avocado kale salad with pumpkin seeds. While she can’t eat regular potatoes due to her O blood type, she loves candied yams and enjoys finding ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into meals. Ethiopian, Thai, and Indian cuisine are some of her favorites as she’s passionate about international flavors, with curries, lentils, and quinoa being some of her favorites. Saaneah also enjoys pad Thai, rice noodles, and spring rolls, always choosing gluten-free options when possible. For snacks, she loves a good vegan nacho situation, using blue corn chips, black beans, and vegan cheese. While mostly vegan, she loves a good omelet with vegan sausage, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and vegan cheese, something she could eat daily. Saaneah isn’t much of a dessert person, but when she indulges, she enjoys carrot cake, especially a vegan version from Cafe Sunflower in Atlanta. Cheesecake, strawberry cake, and chess pie are some of her favorite sweets. 

For Saaneah, food is deeply tied to her Black Southern heritage and family traditions. Her  Great-Grandmother Bob Bob’s chicken and dressing with gravy is one of her most nostalgic comfort foods. She also deeply loves southern-style salmon croquettes, a dish her great-grandmother made often. She reflects on how both of her Great-Grandmother’s cooking holds history with every bite, tasting the resilience, love, and lived experiences of generations before her. Given the hardships experienced by her, Saaneah feels honored to carry forward her legacy through food and music.

To honor Saaneah’s heritage and love for soul food, I created a dish inspired by her Great-Grandmother’s southern-style salmon croquettes. We paired them with a creamy creme fraiche dill sauce and purple cabbage, which beautifully complements both the dish and Saaneah’s vibrant purple hair. This dish was delicious, a perfect light yet hearty meal, and I enjoyed sharing it with one of my best Southern friends. Check out the recipe below!

Salmon Croquettes & Purple Cabbage with Dill Sauce

Ingredients for Salmon Croquettes

• 1 14-ounce canned salmon (I used Chicken of the Sea Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, Skinless & Boneless)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ large yellow onion, finely diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, divided
• 2 green onions, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce of choice
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• sea salt to taste
• 2 eggs for breading
• peanut or vegetable oil (you can also use shortening. I used peanut oil)

Ingredients for Southern-Style Braised Purple Cabbage

• 1 small head of purple cabbage, sliced
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Ingredients for Dill Sauce

• 1/2 cup Crème Fraiche (or sour cream if that’s more readily available)
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. First, let’s make the dill sauce. Gently fold the garlic powder, onion powder, chopped dill, salt, and pepper into the Crème Fraiche. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days.
2. Now it’s time to make the salmon croquettes. Drain the liquid from the canned salmon using a strainer. Flake the salmon using a fork into smaller chunks and pieces in a large bowl and set aside. Make sure to remove the bones and skin from canned salmon if the brand you are using still has bones and skin included. You can easily pick it out while breaking the salmon down with the fork.
3. Gently mix the canned salmon, 2 beaten eggs, onion, green onions,  garlic, ¼ cup of breadcrumbs, red bell pepper, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and smoked paprika.
4. Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, shape the salmon mixture into patties. Repeat the process until the salmon mixture is used up.
5. Heat the peanut oil (or frying oil of choice) in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Carefully place the salmon croquettes into the hot oil and make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry each side until light golden brown for 3 minutes on each side.
7. Transfer the cooked salmon croquettes to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the oil.
8. In another large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium heat for the purple cabbage.
9.  Stir in the sliced cabbage, cooking for about 5 minutes until it begins to soften.
10. Add the apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
11. Pour in the chicken broth, cover and let it cook on a low simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
12. Plate up the crispy salmon croquettes alongside the tangy, slightly sweet braised cabbage. Add a dollop of the dill sauce and enjoy!