So far, my favorite track in your catalog is "Come With Me." When you think of that song, are there any thoughts that immediately come to mind?
"Come With Me" was taken from real life. That was really who I was in high school. I was the guy that went for the girl who got hurt or who felt like all the guys were the same. That was me trying to be like a "superhero" to show girls different. It makes me appreciate writing so much more, especially when it blew up like it did. To be in a show and watch 20,000 to 30,000 fans in an arena singing the words that you thought of and sing words that you really lived, it makes you appreciate it that much more. I just want to establish myself as a singer/songwriter as well and not just an artist.
"Come with Me" was produced by Bryan Michael Cox, and you collaborated with him several times. How would you describe the chemistry that the two of you have in the studio?
He is one of the true R&B producers. I'm a true R&B artist. So I think when you put that together, you just get this chemistry that equates to greatness to me. He knows what Sammie wants to sound like, where I want to go. I pretty much know what B. Cox is going to give me. It's not even forced. It makes sense as soon as we get it. We made like three or four records on my last album and I'm going to get back with him in this album as well. It's just certain producers and certain artists have chemistry and he's definitely one of them.
As you reflect on the difficulty you had transitioning from childhood to adulthood, marketing-wise, what struggles do you think you will have to go against, as you continue to define yourself? What do you think is going to be the hardest thing for you to get across, marketing-wise?
The only thing that I want to get through to people is that I just want to be concrete in stamping that I want to be in the top five vocally in this industry. I say this because I'm a crooner. I'm not really going to woo you with Michael Jackson moves or things like that – that's more a Chris Brown or Omarion thing. The one thing that I want to come across to people is I think there are so much auto-tunes going on.
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!