Oh, yes. Before we first met, I was already familiar with his work with TLC, Monica, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Boyz II Men. So it was really a pleasure, especially at 12 years old, to go in the studio and work with someone of his stature and caliber. My first time meeting him, he was amazed by me and my talent and my ability to really sing at such a young age.
He was in awe of me, which was really confusing to me, because I was just a young boy from Miami who was just happy to be in the big city of Atlanta meeting Dallas Austin. I think both of us were really excited to meet each other, which was a good feeling. Dallas is one of the most talented, creative guys. And he is such a genius. What a lot of people don't realize about Dallas is that he does films, he has a clothing line, he's an entrepreneur. He's so talented and not just in music.
What do you consider to be the best professional advice that Dallas Austin gave to you?
To take control of my own career. I started my own company and surrounded myself with people that complement my situation. That's the best thing that I could have ever taken from Dallas, because I was so young and I was on auto-pilot, with everyone doing the work for me. For awhile, all I did was sing, even when I came back to the industry at 18. But in this day and age, with all the changes the industry has gone through, you really have to be your own boss.
I don't mean that in the sense that you boss everyone around, but in the sense of just having control and knowing which direction you want to go and putting together those pieces in the puzzle to help that vision come true.
Earlier you made mention of the fact that you took a break from the music business to focus on school. What kind of backlash or pressure did you feel from others, since you ultimately put your "success" on hold?
It was a very weird situation. One thing that I did not want to happen — and I see this happen to a lot of artists my age — is miss out on my childhood years. I see so many people grow up and they have insecurities and they go through identity crises, so to speak. That's something I didn't want to go through nor did my parents.
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!