Motherhood brought about a profound transformation in one of East Africa’s boldest female rap artists. Known for her fearless attitude and commanding presence in the music industry, Rosa Ree has experienced a deep personal evolution since becoming a mother—shifting from her trademark “gangster sister” image to a more introspective and spiritually grounded version of herself.
In a recent long-form conversation, Rosa Ree opened up about how pregnancy and motherhood reshaped her view of life. She described the journey as a sacred time that demanded self-reflection, spiritual growth, and emotional healing. “I’m a butterfly now,” she said, reflecting on how the experience awakened a softer, more aware side of her that had previously been buried beneath the pressures of her public persona.
The transition into motherhood was not just physical, but deeply emotional and mental. She shared that the moment she realized she was responsible for nurturing another human being, something shifted inside her. Every action, thought, and decision suddenly took on new weight because whatever she carried within her would inevitably be passed on to her child. This realization sparked a desire to live more consciously, more purposefully, and to seek a deeper connection with God.
She described motherhood not just as a biological or social role, but as a divine assignment that calls for reverence and respect. It’s often taken lightly, she explained, with society treating it as something women are simply expected to do. But for her, it became a deeply spiritual process that required her to re-evaluate her identity, her calling, and the kind of legacy she wanted to leave behind.
A major part of her journey involved confronting postpartum depression—a topic rarely discussed in African settings. She spoke about how mental and emotional health after childbirth is often misunderstood or dismissed. For her, the experience came with sudden mood shifts, anxiety, and physical exhaustion. People around her speculated wildly about her condition, attributing it to witchcraft, drug abuse, or attention-seeking behavior typical of celebrities. But none of that was true. She was navigating the unpredictable terrain of new motherhood, dealing with fluctuating hormones, a changing body, and the immense responsibility of caring for a newborn.
Despite the whispers and the misconceptions, she found strength in vulnerability. She embraced the physical changes, even when her family noted how drastically her appearance had shifted. Her face, her body—everything had changed. And instead of fighting it, she leaned into that transformation, acknowledging it as a new season of her life.
She reflected on how little preparation women receive for the mental health realities that come with motherhood. “We are learning on the job,” she said, speaking for many women who silently carry the weight of postpartum struggles while trying to stay strong for their families.
In embracing her journey fully—with its chaos, beauty, pain, and joy—Rosa Ree has not only become a more grounded woman but also a more conscious artist. Her music is expected to reflect this shift, as she now channels her experiences into a more mature, mindful, and soul-searching creative direction. Motherhood has not tamed her; it has awakened her.
