In a lot of ways, Sammie Bush's music career is akin to a cat who has nine lives to live. Since his 1999 debut, From the Bottom to the Top, Sammie's life has repeatedly alternated between the "real world" and the "music world." Over the course of a decade, however, through all the ups and downs, Sammie made a seamless transition — from an adolescent boy into a young man — and developed a loyal fan base around the world.
At the age of 13, Sammie secured his first Top 10 hit, "I Like It," which was followed by "Crazy Things I Do," a sentimental ode that crossed cultural and age-defined boundaries. Even so, just as the young singer's star began to shine bright, he took an abrupt hiatus from the music industry. Nearly five years would pass before the world would be introduced to Sammie again.
In 2006, Sammie reappeared with his self-titled sophomore set, at the age of 18. The album aimed to shed the "kiddie" persona of his gold-selling debut and danced a delicate line of maintaining Sammie's youthful vibe, while covering a wider range of "grown-up" topics. Of the fifteen tracks, "Come With Me" was the most personal. During the winter of 2007, the single would eventually become an underground R&B smash that re-defined his overall image and prepared Sammie's fans for his third studio album, Coming of Age.
In preparation for the release of Coming of Age, Sammie managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Dallas Austin, "Come With Me," and his new company, StarCamp Music.
Few artists have the luxury of making it big in the industry once, let alone twice. And as fate would have it, in spite of multiple departures from the music scene, you have been able to have — and maintain — longevity over the course of your music career. What factors do you think have allowed you to do so?
First and foremost, I thank God. I have a strong spiritual inclination and a wonderful relationship with God. I know that He brought me this far. Without Him, there is no me.
On top of that, I just have a strong family foundation. My mother raised me to always stay humble, establish good relationships and keep those relationships. That's very important and significant in this industry. I like to think the industry is 90% political – sad to say – and 10% talent. It's about who you know and who actually knows you and is willing to open doors of opportunity for you. I'm actually blessed to have that throughout my career. And then my parents raised me to always go above and beyond, be an overachiever.
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Article comments
1 - Nowthebiz
Mr. Perry, this interview is incorrect, Sammie is currently signed to Empire Entertainment an Atlanta based Label, he may have started his own company, but it was clearly in 2009. Sammie is tring to get a release out of his current contract, his claim to be releasing an album is just that. I have followed his very short career from the beginning & would like the truth to be printed, Sammie being Un loyal to his fans for not telling the truth & to his Recording company that has supported him from his 5year break. Sammie is a has been & the only reason you are even talking to him is because of Soujia Boy's song.
2 - Miss M.
Great interview, Mr. Perry. I gave two different opinions about young Sammie and his plans to "come back"- I was impressed to hear him talk intelligently and coherently about his childhood, transitioning in the industry, and his plans to be the number on db artist out there. I worry though that like some other artists, he just doesn't have that 'it' factor right now. I mean, he's cute enough, his voice is nice enough, his swag is pretty generic... I want him to grow up a little more and do some self discovery. At 22, I didn't know who I was and at 25, I still don't. So all I'm saying is, before he starts referring to himself in the third person and owning labels, I really want him to get his feet firmly planted, get some well produced, well written, appropriately marketed track and a unique selling point that is truly his, and then he'll be ready. I love to see a young black man being positive and trying to make it... I want Sammie to do well and I think that if he's careful and meticulous and really works on his craft like he says he wants to, people will support him and really help him become to superstar he wants to be. Good luck, my Brotha!
3 - Clayton Perry
Dear "Nowthebiz" -- I only print what an artist tells me. I will not argue over the "fine print," but I must say this: Sammie is a FINE talent. Furthermore, I covered him because "Come With Me" is one my FAVORITE songs of all-time. (Give the guy a break! At the very least, he is trying to better himself, as a man, and as an artist. What more could his fans ask?)