What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
Well, I lived in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada until the age of 7 and went to a school an hour and a half north in Kawartha Lakes for 2 years, before finally moving up there full time, I never really fit in so bullying obviously left it’s impact, my family has always consistently had lots of problems between one another, so overall I found it really hard to get along with others and make friends due to being different.
I never had my father around, and lost my only male role model to cancer at the age of 13, so I ended up being really angry with the world very young.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
I’ve always been interested in music even as a young child, I would always sing/hum and rhyme my own tunes, but by my teenage years I knew I wanted to leave my impression upon the world.
I feel that my music not only speaks for me, but also for those who may feel voiceless based on their circumstances, and I know first hand how difficult things can feel as well as seem, so I try to encourage people to stand and fight for not only what they believe, but for themselves.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
I would say that Big Pun, Notorious B.I.G & 2Pac were the most inspirational to me, and I think that Hopsin is a pretty good influence and I would really like to work with him someday.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
I believe that a lot of the music today lacks content and a message, it’s great to make something sound good and catchy but what’s the point if your not trying to say something.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
As of right now I’m really just devoting my available time into singles, and focusing on trying to get my voice heard.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
Well my goal is to keep producing quality music and delivering it to my fans, and hopefully gain some exposure in the process.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
Long term, I hope that one day I can earn my living off what I love too do, instead of only having only spare time available, I also hope too release an album and tour if I can get myself in the right position by that time.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
I would choose “Left Behind” because it’s so personal and true to myself, pursuing a career in music is extremely difficult and a long struggling process, and it can effect your whole life, it can end up hurting your motivation, relationships and overall perception, and I’m comfortable enough to say how it makes me feel.
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
I usually let my music speak for itself.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
Raw, Powerful, Hopeful, Real & Intense
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
I’m real about my music, I’m unique in the fact I’ve stayed true to my roots, and I don’t resemble what you’d expect to see.
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
The truth is you have too love creating music, it needs to be apart of you, and you’ll need to be naturally gifted and take that to the next level and aspire to be your best.
It’s a hard long road, and sometimes life gets the best of us all, its important to remember why your trying to be heard in the first place, and stay optimistic in the toughest of times and never conform to what’s trending in the moment, stay true to you and embrace being different… every artist is.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
My social media profiles are.
ReverbNation – https://www.reverbnation.com/sampsonite
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/OfficialSampsonite
Twitter – https://twitter.com/sampsonite91
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/sampsonite175
And my music can be purchased here.
BandCamp – http://sampsonite.bandcamp.com
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
I would like to say… thank you, too all my fans that have held me down over the past 8 years, and to everyone who supported me in the process so far, I greatly appreciate it.
