Photos by Baron Joestar
For singer-songwriter Sunnie Allen, cannabis isn’t about escapism—it’s about presence. The New Jersey-born musician has been releasing music since she was 15, creating warm sonic space for listeners navigating life’s transitions. Her sound, shaped by influences like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Kid Cudi, holds space for those who’ve weathered storms but still see the beauty in blooming again.
Since the release of her debut project, It’s 2 a.m. Somewhere, Allen has been carving out a lane all her own in the world of alternative R&B. With emotionally rich lyrics and honey-toned vocals, she’s earned a devoted following drawn to her ability to translate complex feelings into songs that feel like late-night conversations with a good friend.
That emotional depth isn’t accidental—it’s often sparked by intention, ritual, and quiet moments of reflection. For Allen, cannabis is one of the tools that helps her get there. Whether she’s rolling up before a writing session, finding new meaning in her lyrics, or crafting visuals, it helps her tap into feelings that only come once the world slows down.
In this conversation with The Emerald Magazine™, Allen opens up about how weed shapes her approach to creativity, the sacred energy she protects in the studio, and why the best music often blooms when she’s brave enough to slow down and feel everything.
The Emerald Magazine™: How long have you been creating music and how would you describe your sound?
Sunnie Allen (SA): I’ve been singing since I was three. My sound is cozy, sultry, soulful, and timeless. I always say it’s R&B for people who’ve been through a few storms but still believe in the beauty of the bloom. I’m the soundtrack to your shift… when you’re outgrowing a version of yourself.
Emerald™: What’s your relationship with cannabis like?
SA: I’ve been smoking for a very, very long time. I roll up every day, in the morning with tea or before a writing session, for example. It’s my way of quieting the noise so I can actually hear myself. Cannabis is part of my practice. It’s not about escapism, it’s about presence. It slows the world down enough for me to hear that little voice in my head clearer. Enhancing the blessing of natural creativity, it’s helped me sit with things long enough to turn them into art.
Emerald™: What do you think about the way cannabis has historically been linked to music and creativity?
SA: Cannabis and music have gone hand-in-hand from what feels like the beginning. Jazz, blues, reggae, it’s all been touched by it. I think weed opens you up in ways that make you more receptive to feeling and more curious about sound. Even now, it helps break down barriers between artist and spirit, audience and emotion. Music and cannabis both alter perception. They both deepen feelings. It’s not a coincidence that some of the most timeless music was born from that headspace.
Emerald™: Has cannabis influenced your music or creative process as a musician?
SA: Absolutely. I’ve written whole songs mid-spliff. It helps me feel things and remain present instead of overthinking them. That’s where the magic happens. It helps me create from the heart, not the ego. It turns off the noise and turns up the frequency I need to tune into.
Emerald™: Do you feel it ever acts as a catalyst for creative breakthroughs?
SA: Yes, but only if you’re already doing the work. I’ve had some epiphanies while listening back to my mixes high, [and found] hidden meaning in my own lyrics if I freestyle or write them subconsciously. Sometimes, I come up with amazing visuals when I can actually step back and allow the idea to fully come to me.
Emerald™: What kind of environment do you like to create in the studio?
SA: Dim, warm neon lights, incense, tea, fresh fruit or chips, maybe some whiskey, and definitely a few spliffs. I’m big on energy, so I’m careful about who’s in the room. Sometimes I like being alone. Other times, a trusted guitarist or engineer. Don’t get me wrong, I love a big studio session full of ideas bouncing off of every wall. It’s less about the amount of people and more about being around energy that matches mine. Whether I’m alone or not, I need the space to feel like a portal.
Emerald™: How has your approach to songwriting evolved over time?
SA: I used to write from heartbreak and chaos to make myself feel better. Now I write from understanding. My pen got sharper when I got quieter with myself. These days, I’m more intentional, less “let me vent” and more “let me tell the truth in a way that sounds beautiful.”
The process definitely shifts depending on what I’m going through or what project I’m building. I’m less concerned with perfect lyrics and more concerned with saying what someone else might need to hear. I write like I’m talking to the version of you (or me) who’s finally ready to listen.
Emerald™: What’s the best way to truly immerse yourself in an album?
SA: Alone or with a friend who’s just as interested in every detail as you are. Night time in the car, spliff lit and a few pre-rolls depending on how long the album is. No skips, no distractions. That’s when you can really feel it. Music lovers like me know they listen once for the song and lyrics, and again for the production.
Emerald™: Are there moments where cannabis helped you connect deeper to your art?
SA: Of course. I’ve had moments where I listened back to my old unreleased music and realized it meant something completely different than I thought. Either that or I reconnected with the original reason of why I wrote those songs at the time. I appreciate moments as they come but cannabis definitely has the power to enhance them. That deeper connection shows in my live performances, too. It makes everything more real, less performed.
Emerald™: What’s on your go-to playlist after a joint?
SA: Moses Sumney, Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, Cudi, Kanye, Ella Fitzgerald, the list goes on. But I also play a lot of my own unreleased music. That’s the real test and I love it. I listen like a fan first, then like an engineer, then like the artist.
Emerald™: Which three of your songs would you choose to set the mood for a sesh, and why?
SA: These Days—it’s honest and dreamy, the type of track that makes you reflect and release while the smoke curls around your thoughts.
Everything Stops—the vibe is sensual and hypnotic, kind of like a candlelit conversation. It’s pretty relatable and you can make the song fit your situation. Yet, it’s still a very comforting track.
We’re Rolling always felt like the perfect wake and bake song to me. It’s a fun vibe.
Emerald™: Where can we keep up with you and your music?
SA: Find me everywhere as Sunnie Allen, my website and my socials as @iiamsunnie. I’m working on the release of my fourth album, planning a few events, creating more community spaces for those like me, and launching my Sunnie’s Honey & wellness line that ties into my music. Everything I touch is meant to nourish, whether it’s your spirit, your skin, or your soul. Everything I drop is intentional. I’m not just making content, I’m giving moments of truth in a loud, distracted world.
The idea of the studio as a ‘portal’ – a focus on divine energy – really underscores the intention behind her art. This conversation really highlights why the best music often blossoms when we have the courage to feel things.