SA'MONE

  BIOGRAPHIE   Sa’Mone, (Iesha Samone Blakey) was born in a poverty stricken area of New Brunswick, NJ. Now, a gifted singer and songwriter, Sa’Mone had to overcome various hardships and obstacles. She was born to the late Evangelist Carolyn Jenkins-Pineda who was the author of “Preaching with AIDS – The Carolyn Jenkins Pineda Story” and Wade Thompson, an ex-marine.  At the tender age of 5 years old, when her mom was about to remarry, Sa’Mone started her jou...

  BIOGRAPHIE   Sa’Mone, (Iesha Samone Blakey) was born in a poverty stricken area of New Brunswick, NJ. Now, a gifted singer and songwriter, Sa’Mone had to overcome various hardships and obstacles. She was born to the late Evangelist Carolyn Jenkins-Pineda who was the author of “Preaching with AIDS – The Carolyn Jenkins Pineda Story” and Wade Thompson, an ex-marine.  At the tender age of 5 years old, when her mom was about to remarry, Sa’Mone started her journey into a life of pain, loss and tragedy. It was then that her mother was inadvertently infected with the HIV virus by her then fiancé. Not only did her mom’s fiancé die as a result of the virus, but also, her twin baby brothers inherited this horrible condition and died as well. Sa’Mone and her mom attended funeral after funeral and feared that Carolyn’s funeral would be next. Alone and clinging to each other, Carolyn and Sa’Mone were ostracized, mistreated and neglected in their hometown. While Sa’Mone was not infected with the HIV virus, parents of her school mates did not want Sa’Mone around their children in fear that they would “catch” the disease. Eventually, Sa’Mone and her mom would pick up and move to Piscataway, NJ to start over because no one knew their history there. Even then, family members knew that Sa’Mone was destined for greatness. At the early age of 7 years old, Sa’Mone began writing songs and performing at school and church events. In addition, she was an honor roll student and a part of Talented and Gifted program. Unfortunately, at the tender age of 12, Sa’Mone had been sexually abused and molested. She would go on to experience rape, abandonment and physical abuse by the age of 15 years old, but strived to keep this information from her mom in an effort shield her from additional pain. As far as Sa’Mone was concerned, her mom had already suffered enough. At the age of 16, Sa’Mone won 1st place in the youth division of the McDonald’s Gospelfest, which afforded her the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden with her group “Praise”. It was then that she knew that she wanted to be a singer. However, Sa’Mone struggled with insecurity and stage-fright for years, due to her unique voice and singing style, which resulted in her finding comfort in background singing. That is until she lost her mother, Carolyn in 2006. On Carolyn’s death bed, Sa’Mone promised her mom that she would pursue her dreams and assured her that her legacy would live on. Since, Sa’Mone has performed alongside Kenny Lattimore, CeCe Winans and many other talented artists. She is currently working with award winning producers on her upcoming album entitled “Calamity's Love Story”. In addition to her singing and songwriting, Sa’Mone is currently writing her first book. Please be on the lookout for this rising star whose mission is to help others through her life story one song at a time.