7 days ago

SANGINA: Freedom to Become

Some journeys take us far from home.

Others teach us that home never really leaves us.

Born in Kazakhstan to a Kazakh father and an Uzbek mother, award-winning singer-songwriter SANGINA joins The Jeremiah Show for a deeply personal conversation about identity, freedom, and the experiences that shape who we become. From the ancient Silk Road and the traditions of Central Asia to recording music in Los Angeles, her story bridges two cultures while remaining deeply rooted in both.

During the conversation, SANGINA reflects on growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, discovering music through childhood choir, competing on international television shows including The Voice, and the life-changing competition in Turkey that gave her the confidence to pursue music professionally. She shares how studying at Musicians Institute opened new creative possibilities as a songwriter, producer, and independent artist while helping her build a career entirely on her own terms.

She also discusses blending Eastern musical traditions with contemporary Western production, preserving the excitement of songwriting, navigating the challenges of independence, and mentoring aspiring singers to become confident, self-sufficient artists rather than relying on a vocal coach forever.

Along the way, SANGINA reflects on representing Kazakhstan wherever she goes—not simply as the country where she was born, but as the place that taught her generosity, resilience, and, above all, freedom. She also shares the remarkable milestones of becoming one of Kazakhstan's first Grammy Voting Members, receiving multiple nominations at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards, and explains why she believes success begins with remaining curious enough to keep learning.

In this episode:

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Sangina's Heritage
02:54 Journey from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan and her family story
05:09 Sangina's musical influences and cultural roots
18:16 Her early musical training and discovery of singing
22:45 Winning competitions and her breakthrough moments
28:24 Representing Kazakhstan and cultural pride
32:26 Why she moved to Los Angeles for her music career
36:29 Cultural differences and women's roles in Kazakhstan
40:16 Living with dual identity and embracing her roots
45:53 Her song 'My Motherland' and love for Kazakhstan
58:22 Kazakh music's influence on her sound
01:02:16 Incorporating traditional instruments and melodies
01:05:05 Writing lyrics in multiple languages and translation challenges
01:06:20 Preserving passion in music production
01:10:49 Recording at Frank Sinatra's studio and its significance
01:13:10 Challenges of being an independent artist
01:16:17 Maintaining confidence and passion amidst criticism
01:19:03 Recent inspirations and her recent achievements
01:21:23 Her role as a vocal coach and mentoring artists
01:26:52 Releasing her new single 'Shady' and upcoming projects