Galore Darling: Samsaya Is Not To Be Missed
Up and coming artists Samsaya is a force you should all be acquainted with- her style, sound and attitude is something not to be missed. We chatted about what’s going on in the world of Samsaya.
Photographer Angelo Kritikos
Right off the bat, we love the heart over your eye! How did you start doing that?
I started doing it mostly because I wanted to remind myself why I started doing music. Music is my best friend. It has been there for me since I was about ten or eleven, and even more so as I became a young teen. It was, and is, such an important part of my life and has really allowed me to be myself, where other situations didn’t. I think when success starts to come and great things begin to happen, its easy to stray away from where you started. The heart is there as a symbol of focus, inner peace and a reminder of where this all began.
When did you first discover your passion for music?
I don’t feel like I discovered music as much as it discovered me. I was always singing and dancing around when I was younger, but I remember there became a time when was around 13 or 14 when I started to fight for it. Thats when it really became a choice. It became the most important thing in my life. So, instead of trying to fit in with the other kids and ‘be cool’ or do the things that they wanted to do, I started making music in my room and doing what made me happy.
Who are some of you biggest musical influences?
I’ve had many over the years but those that top the list are definitely Michael Jackson, Mary J Blige and Aaliyah. I also loved Yo! MTV Raps and wathcin Public Enemy. I remember watching Public Enemy for the first time and thinking, ‘that’s me!’ I think thats why my parents were so afraid. Usually young girls like to sing things that are pretty… but I wasn’t doing that. I wanted to be a rapper!
What was you first CD?
I dont quite remember my first CD… but I do remember early on, going back to the store with the ‘Dangerous’ album and asking if there was something wrong with it. I thought the sound on the album was off! Its so funny now that I think about it, but I thought the sound was a bit low… like the mixing was a bit strange. Ive never really gotten a good answer on that, like if they actually did something different on that particular album.
Are there any producers that you are dying to work with?
Yeah, Rick Rubin! Not only because of his rich history in the music industry, but also I recently saw the BBC 1 documentary about him and it made me realize even more what an incredibly inspiring person he is to work with. And then of course, Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones actually worked with the first artist that ever really got me into this, and that is Dinah Washington. I remember being 10 or 11 and watching TV and this ad came on — and I dont know if you guys remember this — but there was this Levis ad with a young guy that was walking through all these back yards, wearing only his Levis, running his hand through his hair, looking all slick… and then he started jumping in every single pool! And the whole time the song ‘Mad about the Boy’ was playing in the background. I think this must have been my very first sexual experience! I didn’t really understand or know why I was feeling this way, but I knew that I really liked this guy. And that song totally stuck with me! It was so dreamy. I also think it started my love affair with Levis.
Levis are the best! Tell us about your personal style. Any favorite brands?
I love clothes that make me feel strong. It doesn’t have to be a certain brand. To me, if I see it and like it, I’ll wear it and really feel it. I love vintage things. I like to dream that there’s a story in the clothes. One of my favorite pieces was this long, red leather jacket I got from my uncle’s hippie clothing store. It was very ‘Shaft’, but I loved it!
What are you favorite junk foods?
S: I love fries! I had some fries last night! I love donuts too. The first time I went to New York, I was so excited, I walked into a Dunkin Donuts and said, “Gimme the best Krispy Kreme you got!” They were so confused and thought I was trying to play some joke on them, but I was being serious! I’d only ever seen ads on TV and I didn’t even know that they were different stores.
Barbies or Transformers?
Transformers! Skeletor, man! Nobody wants to play with Skeletor but I did!
Any tattoos or piercings?
Lets just say, I’m Indian and you’ll never know!
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.
I do this really cool trick! I have to do it in the sea…but I have this gap in between my two front teeth and when I lay on my back, I can squirt water through the hole. It looks like I’m a baby whale! It sounds really weird, I know, but it’s actually gotten me a couple guys!
