Wordlife Artist
/wərd/ /līf/ /ˈärdəst/
Sonja Marie is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, performer, vocalist, poet, author and astrologer whose creative career spans more than three decades. A Hampton University alum, she first gained national attention as the writer and performer of “And I Gave My Love to You” from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. Her music and performance career has taken her nationally and internationally, blending poetry, vocals, storytelling and funk, and has included collaborations with artists such as Teena Marie, Cody ChesnuTT and Organized Noize.
Her body of work includes two albums, The Black Album: Vol. 1 and Nativity Screams; contributions to five poetry anthologies; and two novels, The Signs: An Astrological Memoir and Squirrel. Her creative work now extends more deeply into theater with FREE BRICKS, her original solo theatrical work, which brings together character, poetry, music and storytelling.
Sonja is also the founder of Wordlife Astrology, through which she has worked with thousands of clients, created retreats and community experiences, and built a long-running astrology platform on YouTube. From 2014–2022, she served as the weekly horoscope columnist for ESSENCE, bringing her distinctive blend of astrology, spirituality and language to millions of readers.
Across disciplines, Sonja’s work continues to be guided by the same impulse that has shaped her career from the beginning: following the story wherever it wants to go.
What’s happening?
“one of my favorite poets…!”
- Teena Marie
“We Need You Before” - An excerpt from the One Woman Show - “FREE BRICKS” performed at The Del Monte Speakeasy in Venice, Ca.
Special Thanks to the band:
Indica “RubyShineOn” - Vocals, Ian Burke - Bass, Mark Cross - Keys & Evan Greer - Drums.
Context: This is the moment a young girl (naive and confused) turns into Bricks (hard & relentless) due to lack of support she received from the world, family etc. - as a BLACK WOMAN!
“NEVER STOP DOING WHAT YOU DO…YOU WERE BORN TO PERFORM. I ENJOYED YOU A LOT!"
- Esther Rolle
“I See, Stars”/ “Stratosphere” Music Video
Released June 14, 2026
Directed by Kamau Daniels
Director of Photography : Christopher Campbell
Make Up Artist : Angel Dobine
BTS : Maya Clark
“I See, Stars” Produced by Stanley Randolph
“Stratosphere” Produced by Sonja Marie and Mark Cross
Vocal arrangements by Yolanda Johnson
BOOKINGS & INQUIRES
“You are a star!”
- S. Pearl Sharp
Western Astrology holds powerful gifts and
magic beyond the obvious characteristics of
the Sun Signs. .
“FREE BRICKS” - Music from her first ever Solo Show debuting at The Glendale Arts Solo Fest, June 2024.
Two NEW songs available on ALL music streaming apps!
“Artist Way “Residency @ The Del Monte Speakeasy - Venice, CA
Special Thanks to the Band: Toni Scruggs - vocals, Mark Cross - Keys, Steven McDade - Bass, & Evan Greer - Drums.
“FREE BRICKS” - A One Woman Show - Promo Reel
Performed at the iconic Santa Monica Playhouse. An emotionally RAW story of one Black woman’s tale in joining the world’s population of Black women.
“THE VOICE OF SONJA MARIE IS A SONIC SANCTUARY THAT SERVES THE WORD OF LIFE !"
- Cody ChesnuTT
A few great opinions…
“The WORD has always been the beginning! As a POET / SPEAKER / AUTHOR / COLUMNIST /
PERFORMER ... nothing is worth listening to if you don't have anything valuable to say.
My many expressions originate from a deeply felt truth that has travelled with me for
lifetimes...ultimately, on a mission to make us better human beings in this weird yet
glorious world!"