Take a look through the eyes of musicians as they sing about feelings and the world as they see it.

Sweet Honey in the Rock is an a cappella ensemble consisting of African American women. Using contemporary and historical styles from many different genres, the group uses music to express its views of the world’s existence and function.

Sweet Honey in the Rock will perform Saturday at Beasley Coliseum as part of the second annual Humanitas Festival put on by WSU Performing Arts.

“Sometimes (we do) songs that we write and sometimes songs we pull from other artists,” said Carol Maillard, one of the Sweet Honey singers.

Topics for the songs include the Civil Rights Movement, gay rights and ancestry. The music reaches personal levels, touching on anything from love to children to disease.

Maillard described their music as very colorful, not specific to one genre but rather covering a wide variety.

“So many things that affect so many people’s lives, and we try to talk about it,” Maillard said. “Any number of those things will come up.”

Aisha Kahlil, also one of the Sweet Honey singers, said the group does spiritual, jazz, reggae, R&B and even traditional African music. Though mainly an a cappella group, Sweet Honey has also worked with other vocalists and recently began working with a bass player.

“A cappella is basically voices without visual instruments,” Kahlil said. “We still do a cappella, but some of the songs are with the bass player.”

When composing an a cappella tune, Maillard said the process is different for each person. Some may hear a bass line, rhythm or just one line that repeats over and over again in their heads. These melodies, harmonies and rhythms keep going around mentally until the song fleshes itself out.

“Now, moving into our 40th year, (we’re) looking for new ways to express the mission,” she said.

Maillard said one of the interesting things about their music is how it sometimes touches people right in the gut, having an emotional or healing effect on the audience.

“For most people on the whole planet, music and sound really place an important part into everyday living,” Maillard said.

Sweet Honey has traveled all over the world, taking the performers places such as New York, Nevada, Europe and the Caribbean. Their show in Pullman will precede another tour in October.

“Travelling can be hard,” Kahlil said. “To be involved and be able to perform is an opportunity to try my best and reach another height. (It’s) another level in artistry, (and) I’m really happy to do it.”

Sweet Honey in the Rock will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Beasley Coliseum. The event will include sign language interpretation.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for youths, and free for WSU students.