When you returned to the music business, what did you find to be the most drastic change?
On a personal level, I realized business means money. When I was 13 or 14 singing, it wasn't that for me. It wasn't about money. I didn't know about the label recouping and trying to make a profit and all that. I was just singing, having fun. I was in a world where I knew girls were screaming my name. I just became business-oriented when I came back to the industry.
On the industry note, there was just so much more R&B singers. I was the first young act out to succeed before the Chris Browns and the Marios and the Ne-Yos that you see. To start that young generation movement and feeling I had to catch up was kind of crazy. Now, there are so many different R&B acts, you have to really, really master your craft and become dedicated everyday to stay relevant. But I kind of want to be on top. I don't want to be in the mix of the R&B crooners that we have right now. I want to be number one.
When I came back, I told myself everyday, "I'm going to work on my craft vocally, my swagger, putting time in rehearsals, write and co-write songs in my album." I just challenge myself to be the best Sammie I could possibly be.
In 2008, you founded your own management and production label, StarCamp Music. The venture also has Big Reese and Jasper Cameron's Street Love label on board. How did this arrangement come to be?
Well, I've known Jasper since I was 11 years old. We started with Dallas at about the same time at the beginning of our careers. He kind of took me under his wing and taught me how to write and make simple music, not to make it so complex and make it relate to everybody and not just my situation. So I was a student and I'm still a student of Jasper Cameron and Big Reese along with the Street Love family.
Like I said, the music industry is a business now. And I wanted to form a team that I feel can take me to another level as an artist, as well as a writer, as well as a young boss and entrepreneur. It was a situation to me that made sense. And if it feels right, I go out on faith and see what happens. Thus far, it's been a great experience. It just feels good in the studio. It's like we're making magic. It's just something that I'm really passionate about, starting my own company and collaborating with mega-producers, like Jasper and Big Reese.
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!