7HO3NIX, AKA Gabrielle Solange, is a Billboard-charting singer, songwriter, producer, TEDx speaker, vocal coach and creative mentor who began recording original songs around age seven on a cassette recorder with dreams of singing on big stages. Due to domestic violence, she ran away at age 13 and became part of the foster care system.
She was discovered at age 15 out of an inner-city music program and signed to Sony as part of the band Fatty Koo. After starring in a reality TV show on BET and creating the theme song of the NBA playoffs, the band fell apart due to label complications. After leaving the music industry for over a decade and overcoming many obstacles, 7HO3NIX has returned as an independent artist with all-new music and an incredible story to tell.
* * *
Channel WAVY: Tell us a little about your story and background
7HO3NIX: I was born in Ohio, raised in a family of artists. I began writing poems, recording original songs on a cassette recorder and writing and illustrating fiction stories around age seven. My third-grade teacher was a main source of encouragement. I had dreams to share my stories and music with the world but at age 13, I was placed in the foster care system after running away from an abusive home. That’s when my imagination was my escape and songs were my sanctuary. I felt that through songwriting, art and poetry, I could connect with God and feel my worth and purpose. I always knew that somehow art was the superpower I was given to overcome the darkness in this world. It is the lens through which I can look at ashes and see beauty.
Channel WAVY: How would you sum up your time being in Fatty Koo? What did you take from that experience that helps you in your career today?
7HO3NIX: Wow, what a whirlwind! I would say fame by itself is a crazy thing to experience for any person, let alone a kid. Add coming from the foster care system to that and you can start to see why it took so long for me to find. From orphanhood to Hollywood overnight, no direction or protection. It’s hard to describe. What I take from it today is the drive that if I can do back then when I didn’t even believe in myself, I can do it again. But I also take from it that fame isn’t everything. Knowing who I am in Christ and having people that truly see me and value me no matter what status I have in the world is true success for me.
Channel WAVY: Who are your biggest influences?
7HO3NIX: My biggest music influences would be The Jackson 5, Brandy, Selena, Britney, Christina, Whitney, Diana Ross and the classic singers like Nat King Cole.
Channel WAVY: Congratulations on the release of your new single “Touch Me with Your Words”. How did it come about, and what’s the meaning behind the song?
7HO3NIX: I was tired of heartbroken but couldn’t bare to write another sad song. I had written so many and felt desperate to move forward. Writing a love song did that for me in a big way. It was fun and healing to imagine love and say what I want one day.
Channel WAVY: Who are some artists or producers you’d love to work with in the future?
7HO3NIX: Definitely Derek Minor. I’m looking forward to his upcoming album, Nobody’s Perfect! I would love to also work with Andy Mineo! His Neverland II project got me through some hard times for real. Tori Kelly – I love her runs and songwriting.
Channel WAVY: If you could only listen to three albums for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
7HO3NIX: The rest of my life! In that case, honestly… I would make three albums of my own – one of stories to remind myself of what God has brought me through, one of affirmations, reminding me of who I am, and one of fun, danceable songs reminding me to enjoy life. And I’d have all my favourite artists as features!
Channel WAVY: What are your plans for the rest of 2023? What can fans expect?
7HO3NIX: More music and more content and more episodes of The Confidentity Podcast. Follow my Instagram!
Channel WAVY: What are your goals for the future that you want to achieve in your career?
7HO3NIX: My goals are to become more consistent creating and find my audience really. I also want to continue the work I’m doing with youth arts and as a speaker in activism. And mostly, I just want to honour the little girl in me that’s rooting for our dreams. She doesn’t let me give up, and God doesn’t either.
Keep up to date with the latest from 7HO3NIX: Instagram | website.
