01Profile
A Samm Henshaw Photo
Samm Henshaw
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
I’m originally brought up in Peckham but have lived in an area called Thamesmead for the majority of my life,
Describe your style in three words?
Soulful, Energetic, Warm.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s a hard one, I’ve seen so many good ones but if I had to narrow it down it’d be Kendrick Lemar at the O2 last year, from start to end the whole show was dope, from the production to the lighting to the songs and energy, he immersed everyone there into his world and those are the best shows, shout out Kendrick man!
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Damn maybe Queen, first, the Bohemian Rhapsody film despite its critics actually solidified for me just how many hits they had, they were actually geniuses!
Second, it’ll be Outkast, they were and are one of the best ever hip-hop group to exist (quietly hoping for a reunion), musically, creatively, the boundaries they pushed they sound-tracked so many people’s lives.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Definitely the Church as my Dad is a reverend, so was brought up in the Church, from the music, to the worship, to the style of playing, if definitely influenced my music heavily.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Ummm maybe Martin Luther King, I would love to know what motivated him but also if he knew his life would have such a massive impact on society after he passed.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
That’s a hard one! Possibly Brixton academy, I’ve played there a few times but also watched some great artists play there, James Bay, Chance the Rapper, Tori Kelly, it’s one of them London venues that always knows how to create the proper London vibe no matter who you see there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Guvna B, he’s had a massive influence on my understanding of the industry and is genuinely help to me overall.
Samm Henshaw's latest single ‘Church’ ft EARTHGANG hit 1 million plays in less than a week. Last year he released 'Doubt' with Wretch 32 and toured with some of the most respected artists in the UK and US scenes, including Chance The Rapper and Pharrell.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Michael Jackson - 'Beat It'
The whole song just blew my mind from start to end the energy, his vocal it just made me want to dance as a kid
A song that defines the teenage you?
Bashy - 'Black Boys'
During my teenage years I was into anything grime or grime related and Bashy alongside, Sketpa, Ghetts, Kano and Wiley just stood out for me. This song, in particular, felt like a little anthem for us growing up.
One record you would keep forever?
'Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill'
Over 20 years in and still going strong, imagine making one album and being able to tour off of it for over 20 years!! The proof is in the pudding, absolute monster of an album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Jonathan McReynolds - 'God is Good'
“May your struggles keep you near the cross and may your troubles show that you need God”
This song for me is just a daily reminder that life is a constant challenge for most people but there’s hope in the little things, it’s sort of what I’d like my music to do, inspire hope in the listeners.
A song you wished you had written?
Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. - 'Best Part'
This song just sounds like the love scene of every movie, the guitar, both their vocals, what a duet man, I’d love to create something like this one day.
Best song to turn up loud?
Kayne West - 'All of The Lights'
Kayne has always made bangers but this in any environment just needs to be blazed! The drums, the horns it just sounds like a marching band. Absolute smash record.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Shania Twain - 'That Don’t Impress Me Much'
Now come on this is a classic tune! Who doesn’t love this song?
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Cameo - 'Candy'
Electric slide… if you know you know.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Cameo - 'Candy'
Yep so good I used it twice, this is the song that ends every party when it drops you know we're coming to the end of the night.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
There’s a couple dope bands I’ve been listening to. Radiant Children, Children of Zeus, and Easy Life. All three of these are so good for different reasons, Radiant Children make the music I love to listen to, Children of Zeus are just so soulful man definitely need to check them out, and Easy Life are just a dope band, their music feels quintessentially British in its delivery but has that international feel in the same way Blur or Oasis had.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
I’m originally brought up in Peckham but have lived in an area called Thamesmead for the majority of my life,
Describe your style in three words?
Soulful, Energetic, Warm.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s a hard one, I’ve seen so many good ones but if I had to narrow it down it’d be Kendrick Lemar at the O2 last year, from start to end the whole show was dope, from the production to the lighting to the songs and energy, he immersed everyone there into his world and those are the best shows, shout out Kendrick man!
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Damn maybe Queen, first, the Bohemian Rhapsody film despite its critics actually solidified for me just how many hits they had, they were actually geniuses!
Second, it’ll be Outkast, they were and are one of the best ever hip-hop group to exist (quietly hoping for a reunion), musically, creatively, the boundaries they pushed they sound-tracked so many people’s lives.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Definitely the Church as my Dad is a reverend, so was brought up in the Church, from the music, to the worship, to the style of playing, if definitely influenced my music heavily.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Ummm maybe Martin Luther King, I would love to know what motivated him but also if he knew his life would have such a massive impact on society after he passed.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
That’s a hard one! Possibly Brixton academy, I’ve played there a few times but also watched some great artists play there, James Bay, Chance the Rapper, Tori Kelly, it’s one of them London venues that always knows how to create the proper London vibe no matter who you see there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Guvna B, he’s had a massive influence on my understanding of the industry and is genuinely help to me overall.
Samm Henshaw's latest single ‘Church’ ft EARTHGANG hit 1 million plays in less than a week. Last year he released 'Doubt' with Wretch 32 and toured with some of the most respected artists in the UK and US scenes, including Chance The Rapper and Pharrell.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Michael Jackson - 'Beat It'
The whole song just blew my mind from start to end the energy, his vocal it just made me want to dance as a kid
A song that defines the teenage you?
Bashy - 'Black Boys'
During my teenage years I was into anything grime or grime related and Bashy alongside, Sketpa, Ghetts, Kano and Wiley just stood out for me. This song, in particular, felt like a little anthem for us growing up.
One record you would keep forever?
'Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill'
Over 20 years in and still going strong, imagine making one album and being able to tour off of it for over 20 years!! The proof is in the pudding, absolute monster of an album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Jonathan McReynolds - 'God is Good'
“May your struggles keep you near the cross and may your troubles show that you need God”
This song for me is just a daily reminder that life is a constant challenge for most people but there’s hope in the little things, it’s sort of what I’d like my music to do, inspire hope in the listeners.
A song you wished you had written?
Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. - 'Best Part'
This song just sounds like the love scene of every movie, the guitar, both their vocals, what a duet man, I’d love to create something like this one day.
Best song to turn up loud?
Kayne West - 'All of The Lights'
Kayne has always made bangers but this in any environment just needs to be blazed! The drums, the horns it just sounds like a marching band. Absolute smash record.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Shania Twain - 'That Don’t Impress Me Much'
Now come on this is a classic tune! Who doesn’t love this song?
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Cameo - 'Candy'
Electric slide… if you know you know.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Cameo - 'Candy'
Yep so good I used it twice, this is the song that ends every party when it drops you know we're coming to the end of the night.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
There’s a couple dope bands I’ve been listening to. Radiant Children, Children of Zeus, and Easy Life. All three of these are so good for different reasons, Radiant Children make the music I love to listen to, Children of Zeus are just so soulful man definitely need to check them out, and Easy Life are just a dope band, their music feels quintessentially British in its delivery but has that international feel in the same way Blur or Oasis had.
Samm Henshaw - Church (Official Video) ft. EARTHGANG
Samm Henshaw - Doubt (Official Video) ft. Wretch 32