bio

Sarian Sankoh (they/them) - aka Binti - is a musician and poet based in Queens. A graduate of New York University’s music composition program, Sarian’s experience is wide-ranging. Their work has spanned from classical composition and choral singing to songwriting and performing with steel bands in Trinidad. Sarian has performed with choirs such as C4 Vocal Ensemble and TRANScend, written pieces in collaboration with Talea Ensemble and Bass Players for Black Composers, and performed at Mercury Lounge, Open Ears Festival, House of Yes, and more. 

Sarian’s music is shaped by the identities and communities they call home. Their work reflects on sapphic joy and mess, anti-blackness and anti-fatness, gender, Sierra Leonean American identity, and more. Sarian believes that music is a place to create community, process grief and joy, and practice new visions for what our world can be. 

Currently, Sarian is releasing music under the name binti, an affectionate family nickname derived from their middle name.