Southern Student Shows Pain and Healing Through Album

Rebuilding after hurricane Katrina, running a growing production company and dealing with the demands of college schedule are just some of the things that Economics major Sheena Marie deals with as she tries to pursue a career in the music industry.

Marie realized her passion for music at younger age when she would sit outside and play the piano in her New Orleans Ninth Ward neighborhood.

" People in the neighborhood would call the piano girl and when I got older people began calling me Sheena Keyes," said Marie.

Then at the age of 11, she performed for the first time with her church choir where they sung a song she wrote.

"I had always written poetry but it was that performance in my church was the first time where I realized that I was a song writer," said Marie.

Drawing from everyday life helps Marie to create her unique sound

"I would describe my sound as a mixture of Aaliayah, Nas and Tupac," said Marie.

Not only did tinkering with a toy a piano spark Marie's interest in music, but her peers that shared the musical the same interest.

"Growing up I was really influenced by local rappers like Chyna White, Ghetto Twins and the Grave Yard Soldiers who all lived in my neighborhood," said Marie.

A setback came in her goal of stardom when $7,000 worth of music equipment she saved from working at McDonalds was stolen by a close friend according to Marie.

In order to get away from her troubles at home Marie felt as though she needed to get away and it was by fate she ended up in Baton Rouge.

"I just drove to Baton Rouge for no particular reason and ended up on Southern campus, and I went into the union just to use the ATM, and while in the union they assumed I was there for orientation, and I decided to go to orientation and further my education at Southern," said Marie.

When it comes to the music industry Marie favors having experience over being taught.

"I have read over 10 music books and I realized that being in the music is business is something that you cannot just read about you have to have experience as well," said Marie.

While at southern it was a chance meeting with radio personality Big Cheeze where Mare was given the chance get play for the first single of her album " The industry Probate".

" I want to get my music out to as many people I as I can I really value the opinions of those who I do not know, I feel that that the best criticism comes from strangers,"said Marie.