Singer and songwriter Sophia Marie was born in New York and currently resides in South Florida. You learn that the 20-year-old artist’s story began at the age of 8 when she developed her passion for singing, writing music, and performing.
You discover that in the past few years she has been working with well-known producers from all over the world, releasing her original songs ranging from pop to alternative pop to R&B. You can hear her recent releases, “Top” (235,000 streams) & “Take It Slow” (500,000+ streams), which she co-wrote with Joaquin Diaz (co-writer of Grammy Award-winning songwriter Romeo Santos).
You will find that she has also worked with Grammy-nominated Rafinha RSQ (writer/producer for Anitta, Karol G, Thalia) and released one of his songs, “Channel,” along with releasing “El Perdedor” by Miami-based producer Luis Salazar (Luis Fonzi, Anitta, and Maluma). All of Sophia’s songs can be found on Spotify, most having been mixed & mastered by Grammy Nominated Engineers including Pedro Peixto and Filli Filloza (Doja Cat, SZA).
You can follow her as she is currently working on building her own unique style and brand, which you can see and hear through her music and social media presence, where she regularly posts her journey as an artist/songwriter. While she is building up her audience and following, you know she is constantly seeking opportunities to write for other artists along with finding different avenues for her music, including sync placements and commercial work.
What’s your favorite song to perform live, and why do you love it?
Besides my original songs, I really enjoy performing classic hits. One of my favorites is “Run to You” by Whitney Houston. I love singing it because it really lets my voice shine—there’s so much range and power in the melody.
Do you have a favorite place where you like to write music?
Not really—there’s no specific spot that inspires me or anything like that. I usually write in my studio downstairs. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s where I feel comfortable and focused, and that’s what matters most.
How has your voice grown from the younger version of yourself to the now 20-year-old version?
Since starting vocal training at 18, my voice has completely transformed. I went from singing with barely any technique and little control to understanding technique, breath support, and vocal health — especially through classical training.
That experience taught me the value of simplicity. I’ve learned that you don’t always need heavy styling to move people. A pure, honest tone can be more powerful than all the runs and riffs.
Artists like Ariana Grande, RAYE, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston inspire me because they blend skill with soul. I want to sing pop music at that level — with strength, control, and emotional clarity.
How do you unwind after a long day of rehearsals or performances?
To be honest, I haven’t had a lot of long or intense performances yet, so I’m still figuring out what “unwinding” looks like for me. Right now, after rehearsals or smaller performances, I usually stay in a bit of a focused mindset — replaying things in my head, thinking about what went well and what I want to improve.
What’s a fun fact about you that your fans might not know?
A fun fact about me is that I’m obsessed with vocal arranging and harmonies — I’ll hear a song and automatically start layering parts in my head. I can spend hours just stacking vocals…
If you could have dinner with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could have dinner with any musician, it would be Ariana Grande. She’s incredibly talented, and I’ve always admired her vocal control, range, and style. She also feels relatable to me — we’re both Italian, and we’re both from South Florida.
What’s your go-to snack when you’re in the studio?
My go-to studio snack is definitely fruit — I love it. And I always have water with me — it’s basically part of the session!
How do you choose the titles for your songs?
I usually choose song titles based on a lyric from the song — often something that’s not super obvious. I like picking a word or phrase that’s tucked into the lyrics because it makes listeners lean in and wonder how the title connects. It adds a little mystery.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from a fellow musician?
Well, let me tell you something I’ve learned from my dad — who is almost like a prodigy, lol. He’s a musician, writer, producer… he really does it all. Growing up around him, I learned so much just by watching him work. But one thing he told me that’s always stuck with me is: “hard work beats talent every time talent is hardly working.”
That line lives in my head. It reminds me that talent is great, but it’s the effort, discipline, and consistency that really set you apart. My dad has always led by example — no matter how talented he is, he never stops pushing himself. That mindset has shaped how I approach my own career. I know that if I keep showing up and doing the work, I’ll keep growing.
If you weren’t a musician, what other career do you think you would pursue?
If I weren’t a musician, I’d definitely still want to be on the other side of music — maybe part of a label team or working as a creative director. I love creating things and being involved in the full vision behind a project, not just the sound. I’m also super into making daily content.
• Written by Sophia Marie, Robert Surace, @looknorthrecordings
• Produced by @looknorthrecordings, co-produced by Sophia Marie and Robert Surace
• Mixed by @looknorthrecordings
• Video filmed by Robert Surace & Sophia Marie
• Video created and edited by Sophia Marie