Q&A: Sam V
Known for his charisma and huge energy on stage, Auckland city’s Sam V has been surrounded by music his whole life and has been dropping R&B hits non-stop! As well as collabing with the likes of Juwan, Tuesday Knight, Lion Rezz & Bea Moon to name a few, he’s also co-leader of R&B/Hip Hop collective “Young & $lept On” alongside EDY.
He chats to us about his new track “Cruisin’” with bKIDD as well as the duo’s upcoming EP, his solo project set to be released by the end of 2020, the biggest lessons he’s learnt in his career so far and more.
We’d love to know a little bit about your musical journey from when you first started singing!
Uhhhh … I started doing music when I was a wee tot, I think I did my first interview when I was about 4. My old man was a muso, so I grew up being influenced by the sounds I was hearing - lots of R&B. Just started toying round with melody imitation and ya tend to get pretty good.
Began nudging the ole YouTube covers ting when I was about 7 and getting some label interest and I’ve just kept with it ever since. Now I’m old and have knee pain (nearly 23 sheesh) …
We are bumping your new track “Cruisin’” with bKIDD! Can you tell us about what inspired the concept of this track?
Thanks for jamming it hey! Ed and bKIDD sent me a demo titled “Cruisin’” and wanted me to lace a lazy hook … But hey I quite enjoyed ze beat, so I laced a hook and a verse too lol. It was juicy ya know. Like a pub steak.
But yea bKIDD hit the ole lovey dovey sex in the car under the night sky energy and I wanted to build upon it with diamonds and glitter. So essentially, speaking in non hypothetical jargon, the fellas built the house and I painted the walls.
We’re so excited that this is part of a whole EP you’re dropping with bKIDD! What can you tell us about the upcoming tracks and will they be a similar old-school 90’s R&B/Hip Hop vibe?
Ahh thanks again, I can’t wait for you to hear - it’ll probably surprise you lol. bKIDD and I are pretty versatile in our approach to music. We like subverting expectations and seeing some jaws drop. There’s something for everyone … some harder (like pretty tuff) hip hop, shake & bakers and a lil more romance. An eclectic experience init.
We’re excited to jam it live … so see you at the show Y$O Vol.4 October 31st @ The Tuning Fork ft. Prestige Dance Crew, Aidan Fine, bKIDD, Disciple Pati, JARNA & myself!
Plus, it’s dope to hear that you’re set to release a solo project before the end of the year! What can you tell us at the moment about that?
The Villain is coming… shhhhhh (shoutouts Jesse Realm my interpreter)
Who are your biggest inspirations in music, and biggest influences on your sound?
I think my biggest inspirations are the people around me and in the local scene. EDY, JARNA, Aidan Fine and all my Y$O homies and muso friends are dope. I’m also big on having a real developed sense of self belief and confidence in yourself and those around you. I try listen to a bit of everything. There’s big time benefit in having a varied taste palette.
But sheesh some of my favourites overseas (all time & current) include; Brandy, D’Angelo, Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator, DVSN, Brent Faiyaz, Slowthai, The Weeknd, and Kanyeeeeeee.
You’ve done a TON of collabs with the likes of EDY, bKIDD, Juwan, Tuesday Night, RAZÉ, Lion Rezz, ea Moon and more! Which artist that you haven’t worked with yet would be your dream collab?
Any of those aforementioned names would be seki … maybe Brandy though.
If there’s anything you could change about the current music industry, what would it be and why?
Ummmmmmmh, it’d be cool to have an R&B festival ting in NZ (Y$O fest hehehe). But yea not sure that’s a big convo overall!
Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you love or connect with?
There’s some outstanding Kiwi talent coming through right now - I think we’re due an international explosion at some point. Some of my favourites (that aren’t my immediate peps lol) are; Paige (“Waves” & “Bloom” are crazy), Dera Meelan (“Pack-A-Punch” ft. DeadForest), Diggy Dupé (“Keke Boy”), Ranui Marz (“A New Beginning”) & Bailey Wiley (“Sugar”).
What do you love most about living in New Zealand? Do you have any favourite places to travel to or local spots to visit?
I like venturing anywhere where we have a gig lol. But otherwise Rotorua is probably my second home.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far?
Always back your ability to do something - self belief is imperative in the music industry (just back yourself up lol).
Have a team of people who enable and believe in your talent, but also challenge you to be better. Build with dem folks 😆.
Earn opportunities by creating them (host your own shows, start platforms).
Some incredible lessons and advice for other artists out there! Make sure to keep up with Sam V on Instagram (@samv.1010), Facebook, Spotify & Apple Music.
