Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of talking to London artist Samm Henshaw.
Samm Henshaw and I had a interesting talk about:
- His new single and video ‘The World is Mine’.
- What he would change in the world if he had a chance.
- Touring and warm up routines.
- Acting and starring in a new American series.
- Writing his own graphic novel.
- Music and much much more.
Continue reading to find out all you need to know about Samm Henshaw.
Full Samm Henshaw Interview
What is going on? It’s your girl Chyna Johnson and I am joined by the incredible, soulful, Samm Henshaw. Hello!
Hello! These Mics are annoying
They are. The thing is they are not in the way for the cameras…….
True
But they are in the way for…..
Us
But energy! Your energy is on point we have been talking off camera. You are a cool guy.
Awww thank you.
Thank you. Why am I saying thank you like you said ” I am a cool girl”?
Oh Sorry. But-You are cool as well.
Thank you, Good. Right let’s get into it. Your latest single the world is mine
Yea
You sample the ‘Incredible Bongo Band’, also sampled by Nas for his tune ‘Made You Look’.
Yea.
What is it about that sample?
I feel like whenever people hear it they can identify it to something. So it’s either the Apache or The Bongo band Apache thing or Nas…. And I am sure there is load of other things. That it is connected to.
Yea, there is loads.
But everyon’s got something that they can relate it to when they hear it. So I just kinda like, yea!
Do you know what it has been sampled in a lot of dope tunes, and when you start hearing it it’s like ok. What fire is coming?
Yea! it’s like what one.
It’s sick!
I feel like it’s a very well know song and sound and just for different reasons depending on the person.
And you have just dropped the music video. It’s a vibe.
It’s a bit mad innit.
It’s like a film. I like the way it ends but I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
Yea
I like it. Have you ever thought about acting?
*Laughs* No. … But I have done a bit of acting. It’s weird people are moving like this is like…. I am proper acting in this video. I don’t do anything. I just kind of I am….. barely in it.
Yea, cause the couple do their thing. But you are like in the back, the boot of the car and……
I have been asked by so many people if I am like on some acting thing now. I am like I definitely wanna do stuff within. ….. Ok. I’ve acted. I have played a role in a big show that is coming out.
What Show?
I won’t say nothing.
I think I know what show you are talking about.
Do you know what it is?
It has to be. It’s got to be. Can I say?
Yea. I don’t know if we are allowed to say.
Is it Top Boy 3?
No
Oh, what is it then?
It’s like……. It’s not even in the country. It’s like an American thing.
Oh well, drop it then! They are not going to know. We are in the UK. We’re only going to put this on YouTube. *Laughs*
I can’t. Because I have not been able to say anything to anyone.
A top show in America?
Yea, it’s a new one coming out.
It’s a new one? No seasons? It’s brand new?
It’s brand new. First season coming out.
And you have a small role in it?
I got a small role in it.
Are you a singer in it or you just….
I am, but I am like. Argh do you know what.
So you do do acting then?
No, it’s the first time I have ever done it. But the idea of acting makes me cringe. That’s why
Is it the whole playing a role?
Yea, it’s like why am I not being me? Like I am pretending to be someone else. So that’s weird to me, but I’ve always wanted to do writing, so I want to like….. maybe write a script for a show or a film one day. Just create my own thing.
How involved were you with the music video, so is that part of your like writing?
With this one not as much, I mean I definitely gave my idea of what I wanted to do and I presented it. I said I wanted to have a sort of Bonnie and Clyde type of feel. Where they are sort of on the run…..and I gave my vision and then I guess the details and all the weirder parts were figured out by our director who is incredible.
No it was really good. And it is sort of like old school vibes and then at the end….let me not ruin the end. I like it, I like it.
The whole sort of like….. was put together by her. But she is insane.
No- it was sick. Now if you were to rule the world? If the world was actually yours, what would be the first thing you would do?
That’s a good question.
Well thank You. *Laughs*
That is a really good question considering what we was talking about….. erm…..
Have you ever played Sims 4?
Yea, Sims is a….
So you kinda…
That’s a great way to think about it. I know it is cliché, but end poverty in the areas were people are struggling and starving and stuff.
That’s a good one.
Erm… My parents just came back from doing a mission in Uganda
Awww that’s beautiful
And my dad was just showing me all the pictures and everything that people are going through. Stuff like that and we are actually helping. There were like people that were struggling to get into university. Let me not get the information wrong… But it cost like this one girl like a £170 just to get into university- which to us isn’t a lot. So for us now it’s like, let’s just start doing that so we can help these people. But to them that’s a huge amount of money that they can’t afford to do. So when they came back (my parents) and was giving me all this information and stuff I was just like this is so enlightening. So for me it would be that.
To end Poverty.
Yea, just to help people that you know who are struggling and stuff.
See that is nice. I am going to start answering like that if anyone asks me that, cause my answer would have been different. A bit selfish. Well first of all I would get free clothes and shoes and unlimited food.
*Laughs* It makes us realise how privileged that we are. So……
Very Very privileged.
So I am a little bit of a stalker. I am sorry
That’s ok. We all are.
Have you seen that programme on Netflix ‘YOU’
Yeaaaaah! My little sister got me into that.
Well, I am not that. I am not that crazy
That show is mad!
It’s wild!
The ending was crazy. I didn’t think it would end like that.
Do you know what? We are going off topic here, but it is one of those ones where you kind of saw everything you needed to see in season one, so what can you see in season two.
Yea, what more could you do. True. They could have just ended it, it could have been a one season show.
But when they are going to drain us at season 3 watching it, and I am going to stay loyal. But anyway, I am not as bad a Joe. But I have been doing a little bit of stalking. Stalked your Instagram, saw you have got a picture with H.E.R?
I did
Grace Carter
Yea
Any soulful collaborations on the way?
Grace and I, we had a chat about getting something sorted. And we need to. We are both busy at the moment so it is kind of hard. But eventually that will get done. H.E.R I am not going to lie it was like a brief chat. A very brief chat before the show
Oh. Damn.
Sorry to burst people’s bubbles.
That would have been incredible.
Yea, it would have been. It was like, “Hey! You’re H.E.R. I am Samm. You are great. Let’s take a picture”. Let’s keep it moving. But you know what I mean, it would be cool.
*Laughs* Have you got any collaborations on the way that we should keep our eyes out for?
Erm…
What have you been cooking in the studio Samm?
A lot of stuff, but not many collaborations in the sense of people actually singing on the songs with me. I have written for….. someone.
Who?
Can’t say.
Is it Beyonce?
No.
Oh, Ok. Cause you were chuckling there. I was like is it my queen?
Its….. I will tell you afterwards.
And then I won’t say anything. Keep the cameras rolling.
If I say and it gets out.
Nah, I won’t say anything. I’ve done this too many times. Do you know how many interviews I have done and been like is it so and so?
So you are a professional.
Yea, if things are off camera. I will keep it off camera. Sorry Guys if it’s off camera it is off camera. Cause I have guessed so many things it is unreal. That’s sick though. Why am I gassed for you and I don’t even know who it is?
Yea, you will be. I am like. I am really gassed.
But once it is out.. out, out. We can know.
If it gets picked. Yea.
Soulful voice. It’s incredible. You are so young
Thanks. Appreciate that
You are so young but you have the soul of a granddad. I picture you in your time with a granddad hat, pipe.
I don’t know if I would have a granddad hat.
They are cool.
I would have a pipe. Don’t know about the Granddad hat.
Granddad hat, with the diamond vest.
I am aiming to be bald and have more of a beard.
Nah, don’t be bald.
But if I got a beard. Then it doesn’t matter what goes on – on top.
No, No, No
What?
I love a guy in his 80’s, 90’s with a full head of hair. If you have maintained that all these years you aren’t a stressful guy. Stress doesn’t come to you.
True. I mean more like it would be a choice to get rid of the hair. Not like I am gonna lose it. Do you know what I mean? I got a good head of hair.
Can I see your head shape?
I can’t do it on camera. it’s a bit mad.
Oh…I see. No shape up. where’s your barber?
He is about.
But he wasn’t about today
He wasn’t about today *laughs*
*Laughs*
I’m low-key…Like this is the first bit of press I have done in ages, so like I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know it was going to be filmed either.
It’s alright. It’s alright. To be fair you are a busy guy and you have been touring a lot.
I mean. Yea
How do you prepare to tour? I mean how do you warm up? Doing in the back scene that we don’t see?
Erm I got this vocal inhaler and that clears all the…. helps to clear my throat out. I do warm ups. Vocal stuff, pray, jump around. Do like a lot of movement to get the energy flowing and get my breathing right. That’s about it. I mean when I am actually on a proper tour, I attempt to go gym.
Do You?
Yea.
It’s long.
It is.
Why you doing that? Crikey !
I don’t know how people maintain that like style.
I don’t know how people wake up 5am in the morning, and say I am just going to go to the gym before the office.
I don’t know where my manager is, but he does that stuff. It’s weird.
How are you waking up to go to work for 9am and then you are going gym before that?
It’s weird and then you’re still like all able to function throughout the day. It’s long
Then you are happy by the end of the day. Like what?
My manager is a grumpy guy.
Can he hear us right now?
I don’t even know if he is here? Is he here?
He is not here.
*Laughs* He is probably at the gym.
*laughs* Yea he is probably at the gym. He will see this and be like….Oh, I am not grumpy. He is grumpy man.
Ok, so gym you try to do it on tour. But what do you like to do in your spare time? Earlier you mentioned that you have played Sims. I mean that is my game. I still play…. I love Sims.
I found out about Sims, but another one. It is like really old.
What another one from Sims?
It is a Sims like game, but it’s like if you are into like movies.
I am not really a movie person.
It’s Like… it’s wicked! It’s like how a movie studio is created and stuff…and you get to make your own films and you get to….
That’s not Sims though
It’s great, but it is though, because you get to like actors and, directors and stuff like that…. and they get old, they…. I dont know can get into…. become like drug addicts and like……
Really? Ok that sounds a bit fun.
They can have plastic surgery, liposuction ….
What game is this?
It is called ‘The Movies’. It’s so good and the characters look like Sims characters.
So it’s just like Sims but for the movies?
Yea, just like Sims but for films. It’s great!
What else do you like to do in your spare time?
When you are not writing music. When you are not socialising. You just switch off from everyone. What do you do?
I been working on a graphic novel for the past couple of years, which has been cool.
Really?
Eventually I want to put it out, so that has been fun. I have a girlfriend, so I hang out with her. She’s great!
Awww, how long has that been?
3 years the other day. She forgot.
Wow! She forgot? That’s wild *Laughs*
Listen, I am telling everyone this. I sent her a box of roses…… at work …. and she forgot. Yea, she forgot and she was like…wait…. what’s going on? Yea, it’s been like 3 years.
So if the next single is ‘I sent you roses, you forgot’.
Everyone knows why, but….
So that means you must be romantic then?
Who me? Nah, I just like try
You are remembering anniversaries, sending roses….
Yea, because I have forgotten a bunch. So I am like good now at it. So that has given me at least a year of like yea…..
Yea….like you forgot.
Yea.
Is it hard to juggle a relationship and your music career?
Nah, it’s been alright. I feel like it’s been cool
Well 3 years strong. Does it get a bit peak when you bring up certain things in your music?
Nah, we talk about it before.
Nice
We have a chat before.
You don’t do a Taylor?
Swift?
Yea. *Sings* ‘We are never never…..
She is a bit mad -yea.
She put everything out there?
She does. She like…. hasn’t she like broken up with people in a song?
Nah. Really? Nah.
I feel like I have heard that somewhere. No? Like maybe?
Nah that would be mad.
Alright cool.
“Hey Taylor! Erm…. I am going to pick you up at six”.
“Don’t even bother, Spotify my new single….. I hate you don’t pick me up at six”. “Like what?”
Really random question, I don’t know -it just popped into my head right now. Like dude what is your favourite cartoon?
These are the things you need to be asking me. I got a lots.
Go on cause I love cartoons. Ok wait, wait, wait. Lets break this down, because there is levels to this. New school cartoons and then old school cartoons. New school what are you watching right now?
New school…. I was an Adventure Time fan, mainly because it didn’t seem like it was for kids.
Your going for kid, kid type cartoons in new school.
I just. I am a comic book fan and obviously I like cartoons. I just started watching King Titans Go…
You are so going for the kid cartoons new school. OK.
It’s just really weird and I love it. Adult stuff Rick and Morty.
100%
Family guy, American Dad.
Yea. Family Guy or American Dad? Pick
American Dad
100%. Yea. Why is everyone saying Family Guy?
Do you know what Family Guy is like the obvious one, but American Dad is low-key a gem.
Ok listen to this yea, this is my logic to it. Family Guy, Peter will go, “This reminds me of the time when I was so and so……”. Then it flicks to the eye. But then American Dad will be like ” this reminds me of blah blah blah” and then you have to use your imagination.
Cleveland Show is low-key a vibe as well you know.
Ummm
Nothere are some episodes on Cleveland. Don’t get me mad. Cleveland show have a vibe.
No, wait, wait. I feel like in the beginning of Cleveland show it was like ….. errr…But it’s got better. Because the other day I watched a show where he went partially deaf and was agreeing to everything Donna said.
Yea, Yea, Yea.
and he was like “I’ve just worked out women, they just like when you say ummm hmmm. I agree with you”. Then all of a sudden his hearing comes back and they (the kids) are like, “where’s mum?”….and he was like “she went to Italy and quit her job”.
I am gonna watch this one.
It is so funny. She is like “Cleveland, can we?”….. and he is like “uh huh I agree with anything you just said. I love you baby”.
Yea *Laughs*
Yea, Cleveland’s show is lit.
Have you seen big mouth?
Yes.
Isn’t it sick?
Big Mouth is like the weirdest…
It’s so weird.
…but like kind of accurate show to being like young. Like if there were….
You have seen all the episodes yea?
Yea, like I am on….
Have you seen the one where the tampon is walking down the bus singing everybody bleeds?
*Laughs*
Yea. No listen I am telling you there are some weird. It’s a weird show. There is some stuff that I am just like this is a bit …
Mad
Mad and wild. But it is a funny show. I’ll give you that. Have you seen Archer?
My mum is watching Archer. She’s like watch it. She’s trying to get me into it.
Watch it. It is genius. It is incredible.
Disenchantment. I tried to watch that, it was hard.
I started watching that but I was like it’s the people that do Simpsons.
Yea. It’s just like stick to Simpsons.
Futurama is good.
Futurama is elite. This is not cartoons but I feel like you would like this. It’s an undercover gem.
I love what we are doing talking about cartoons in an interview.
I just love TV and cartoons right. We are getting to know you more.
Yea, exactly.
I will listen to your music and say Ha! I know you have seen that episode of Big Mouth. *Laughs*
*Laughs*
New season I will be like I know my guy watched this.
Nah, Nah. Now cause we are doing this, I am going to put way more stuff in there.
In your music?
Yea
Do it, I will listen to it.
That’s why my mum loves Giggs cause he always puts TV…
I need to have a day with Giggs where we are just chatting about Star Wars, all of it, everything.
He put everything he is watching in his music. My mum loves him. She thinks she knows him. It’s mad!
Yea,.
Ok. Hidden gem it’s not a cartoon….Brooklyn 99.
Do you know what I have seen ….. at least 3 or 4 episodes and it is incredible.
It’s one of those ones you don’t plan to watch but it is sick.
I need to like proper get into it, but I have seen 3 or 4 episodes and it is hilarious.
You need to see the episode where they do the backstreet boys.
I think I saw that …. wait… where they are singing each. Oh my gosh…. and he is like “Now Number 5”.
And he is like *sings* tell me why.
Yea.
Right ok, new school we have got it Big Mouth, Rick and Morty, American Dad, Family Guy all of that
Old school. Go…
Did you ever see a show called Daria?
I loved Daria. Yea… *Hums Daria theme tune*. Daria a lot of people didn’t watch it and Doug.
Doug oh my
Do you know what is sick about Doug? Well most people don’t know
Go on….
You like music? Go back and watch Doug. All the episodes the music in it was done with the mouth. So in the beginning it was like *Hums theme song*
Yea
And then when the sister use to walk it would be like *Hums theme song for sister*
That is so funny. Do you know what- I never clocked that. I need to watch that again.
And then Skeeter was like *Hmmm theme song*
That is crazy
Ok, what else? You like Daria, you like Doug.
Erm I was a huge Looney Tunes fan, because it was stupid. and I love stupid stuff. erm what else was there Courage the Cowardly Dog that was a really weird…….
ermmm.
What? What?
See my old school cartoons are more like Cow and Chicken, Dexter’s Laboratory.
Oh yea Cow and Chicken. But Courage the Cowardly Dog was a part of that era.
Was that the one with the granddad?
Yea
Oh yea yea yea.
Yea. It was
And he was always scared of stuff. And the stuff that he was scared of was like I get that, bro.This looks like a demon from like….the pits of hell. But why is this on a show for kid? Its mad. Erm Cow and Chicken was wavey. Dexter’s Laboratory. erm Kids Next Door -K & D. Did you ever see that?
No
Dude come on. They were like secret agents in like a tree house.
Really?
It was amazing.
You had them elite channels- back in the day.
*Laughs* erm what else. I just had one…..Ed Edd and Eddy.
That’s quality. I feel like I can talk to you about cartoons all day.
I feel like we can talk about anything because you have unlocked this……
I unlocked it from earlier on.
You have unlocked Pandora’s Box.
We can talk about anything cause now I really wanna be like, did you watch Sister Sister and Smart Guy, but I need to like calm down.
Of course. Taina all of that.
*sings Tiana theme song* Ok most people don’t know about Taina. It gets on my nerves.
Some people need to get hurt, cause they don’t know about Taina. It’s mad.
Do you know what I mean? and then she is bi-lingual and the going with the Espanol.
Yea. What do you think of Lizzie McGuire coming back?
Nah, not here for it
What?
No. I am not here for a comeback of that but they brought back That’s So Raven.
But it’s not like they are doing what they did….
With That’s So Raven- Actually she has grown up and got kids. Yea, we can do it.
Yea.
I kinda like to see where they are now. I kinda need to see a Friends Movie.
I don’t want to see Friends.
Ok, Samm it’s time to wrap up this interview now. *laughs*
No, do you know why? I am not one of these new age people that hate Friends. Friends is elite. It is wicked, but it’s like the same way I don’t want to see a Fresh Prince.
No, I don’t want to see that movie.
That’s what I am saying I don’t want to see a reunion-none of that. Just that…..we got what we got and that is great. Keep it going.
Alright. Ok…Anyway thank you for joining me
Thank you. This has been…..
Where can we keep up with all the stuff that you have got going on?
Everything is Samm Henshaw. Samm with two Ms. Henshaw H-E-N-S-H-A-W
No one knows how to spell. Erm for some reason….. maybe because I am Nigerian that it should be like have bare letters. But erm thank you this has been great. This has been a great start to the day.
I hope you have good energy and positive vibes all day.
Yes, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you
Amazing. Thank you.
Full Samm Henshaw Interview
What is going on? It’s your girl Chyna Johnson and I am joined by the incredible, soulful, Samm Henshaw. Hello!
Hello! These Mics are annoying
They are. The thing is they are not in the way for the cameras…….
True
But they are in the way for…..
Us
But energy! Your energy is on point we have been talking off camera. You are a cool guy.
Awww thank you.
Thank you. Why am I saying thank you like you said ” I am a cool girl”?
Oh Sorry. But-You are cool as well.
Thank you, Good. Right let’s get into it. Your latest single the world is mine
Yea
You sample the ‘Incredible Bongo Band’, also sampled by Nas for his tune ‘Made You Look’.
Yea.
What is it about that sample?
I feel like whenever people hear it they can identify it to something. So it’s either the Apache or The Bongo band Apache thing or Nas…. And I am sure there is load of other things. That it is connected to.
Yea, there is loads.
But everyon’s got something that they can relate it to when they hear it. So I just kinda like, yea!
Do you know what it has been sampled in a lot of dope tunes, and when you start hearing it it’s like ok. What fire is coming?
Yea! it’s like what one.
It’s sick!
I feel like it’s a very well know song and sound and just for different reasons depending on the person.
And you have just dropped the music video. It’s a vibe.
It’s a bit mad innit.
It’s like a film. I like the way it ends but I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
Yea
I like it. Have you ever thought about acting?
*Laughs* No. … But I have done a bit of acting. It’s weird people are moving like this is like…. I am proper acting in this video. I don’t do anything. I just kind of I am….. barely in it.
Yea, cause the couple do their thing. But you are like in the back, the boot of the car and……
I have been asked by so many people if I am like on some acting thing now. I am like I definitely wanna do stuff within. ….. Ok. I’ve acted. I have played a role in a big show that is coming out.
What Show?
I won’t say nothing.
I think I know what show you are talking about.
Do you know what it is?
It has to be. It’s got to be. Can I say?
Yea. I don’t know if we are allowed to say.
Is it Top Boy 3?
No
Oh, what is it then?
It’s like……. It’s not even in the country. It’s like an American thing.
Oh well, drop it then! They are not going to know. We are in the UK. We’re only going to put this on YouTube. *Laughs*
I can’t. Because I have not been able to say anything to anyone.
A top show in America?
Yea, it’s a new one coming out.
It’s a new one? No seasons? It’s brand new?
It’s brand new. First season coming out.
And you have a small role in it?
I got a small role in it.
Are you a singer in it or you just….
I am, but I am like. Argh do you know what.
So you do do acting then?
No, it’s the first time I have ever done it. But the idea of acting makes me cringe. That’s why
Is it the whole playing a role?
Yea, it’s like why am I not being me? Like I am pretending to be someone else. So that’s weird to me, but I’ve always wanted to do writing, so I want to like….. maybe write a script for a show or a film one day. Just create my own thing.
How involved were you with the music video, so is that part of your like writing?
With this one not as much, I mean I definitely gave my idea of what I wanted to do and I presented it. I said I wanted to have a sort of Bonnie and Clyde type of feel. Where they are sort of on the run…..and I gave my vision and then I guess the details and all the weirder parts were figured out by our director who is incredible.
No it was really good. And it is sort of like old school vibes and then at the end….let me not ruin the end. I like it, I like it.
The whole sort of like….. was put together by her. But she is insane.
No- it was sick. Now if you were to rule the world? If the world was actually yours, what would be the first thing you would do?
That’s a good question.
Well thank You. *Laughs*
That is a really good question considering what we was talking about….. erm…..
Have you ever played Sims 4?
Yea, Sims is a….
So you kinda…
That’s a great way to think about it. I know it is cliché, but end poverty in the areas were people are struggling and starving and stuff.
That’s a good one.
Erm… My parents just came back from doing a mission in Uganda
Awww that’s beautiful
And my dad was just showing me all the pictures and everything that people are going through. Stuff like that and we are actually helping. There were like people that were struggling to get into university. Let me not get the information wrong… But it cost like this one girl like a £170 just to get into university- which to us isn’t a lot. So for us now it’s like, let’s just start doing that so we can help these people. But to them that’s a huge amount of money that they can’t afford to do. So when they came back (my parents) and was giving me all this information and stuff I was just like this is so enlightening. So for me it would be that.
To end Poverty.
Yea, just to help people that you know who are struggling and stuff.
See that is nice. I am going to start answering like that if anyone asks me that, cause my answer would have been different. A bit selfish. Well first of all I would get free clothes and shoes and unlimited food.
*Laughs* It makes us realise how privileged that we are. So……
Very Very privileged.
So I am a little bit of a stalker. I am sorry
That’s ok. We all are.
Have you seen that programme on Netflix ‘YOU’
Yeaaaaah! My little sister got me into that.
Well, I am not that. I am not that crazy
That show is mad!
It’s wild!
The ending was crazy. I didn’t think it would end like that.
Do you know what? We are going off topic here, but it is one of those ones where you kind of saw everything you needed to see in season one, so what can you see in season two.
Yea, what more could you do. True. They could have just ended it, it could have been a one season show.
But when they are going to drain us at season 3 watching it, and I am going to stay loyal. But anyway, I am not as bad a Joe. But I have been doing a little bit of stalking. Stalked your Instagram, saw you have got a picture with H.E.R?
I did
Grace Carter
Yea
Any soulful collaborations on the way?
Grace and I, we had a chat about getting something sorted. And we need to. We are both busy at the moment so it is kind of hard. But eventually that will get done. H.E.R I am not going to lie it was like a brief chat. A very brief chat before the show
Oh. Damn.
Sorry to burst people’s bubbles.
That would have been incredible.
Yea, it would have been. It was like, “Hey! You’re H.E.R. I am Samm. You are great. Let’s take a picture”. Let’s keep it moving. But you know what I mean, it would be cool.
*Laughs* Have you got any collaborations on the way that we should keep our eyes out for?
Erm…
What have you been cooking in the studio Samm?
A lot of stuff, but not many collaborations in the sense of people actually singing on the songs with me. I have written for….. someone.
Who?
Can’t say.
Is it Beyonce?
No.
Oh, Ok. Cause you were chuckling there. I was like is it my queen?
Its….. I will tell you afterwards.
And then I won’t say anything. Keep the cameras rolling.
If I say and it gets out.
Nah, I won’t say anything. I’ve done this too many times. Do you know how many interviews I have done and been like is it so and so?
So you are a professional.
Yea, if things are off camera. I will keep it off camera. Sorry Guys if it’s off camera it is off camera. Cause I have guessed so many things it is unreal. That’s sick though. Why am I gassed for you and I don’t even know who it is?
Yea, you will be. I am like. I am really gassed.
But once it is out.. out, out. We can know.
If it gets picked. Yea.
Soulful voice. It’s incredible. You are so young
Thanks. Appreciate that
You are so young but you have the soul of a granddad. I picture you in your time with a granddad hat, pipe.
I don’t know if I would have a granddad hat.
They are cool.
I would have a pipe. Don’t know about the Granddad hat.
Granddad hat, with the diamond vest.
I am aiming to be bald and have more of a beard.
Nah, don’t be bald.
But if I got a beard. Then it doesn’t matter what goes on – on top.
No, No, No
What?
I love a guy in his 80’s, 90’s with a full head of hair. If you have maintained that all these years you aren’t a stressful guy. Stress doesn’t come to you.
True. I mean more like it would be a choice to get rid of the hair. Not like I am gonna lose it. Do you know what I mean? I got a good head of hair.
Can I see your head shape?
I can’t do it on camera. it’s a bit mad.
Oh…I see. No shape up. where’s your barber?
He is about.
But he wasn’t about today
He wasn’t about today *laughs*
*Laughs*
I’m low-key…Like this is the first bit of press I have done in ages, so like I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know it was going to be filmed either.
It’s alright. It’s alright. To be fair you are a busy guy and you have been touring a lot.
I mean. Yea
How do you prepare to tour? I mean how do you warm up? Doing in the back scene that we don’t see?
Erm I got this vocal inhaler and that clears all the…. helps to clear my throat out. I do warm ups. Vocal stuff, pray, jump around. Do like a lot of movement to get the energy flowing and get my breathing right. That’s about it. I mean when I am actually on a proper tour, I attempt to go gym.
Do You?
Yea.
It’s long.
It is.
Why you doing that? Crikey !
I don’t know how people maintain that like style.
I don’t know how people wake up 5am in the morning, and say I am just going to go to the gym before the office.
I don’t know where my manager is, but he does that stuff. It’s weird.
How are you waking up to go to work for 9am and then you are going gym before that?
It’s weird and then you’re still like all able to function throughout the day. It’s long
Then you are happy by the end of the day. Like what?
My manager is a grumpy guy.
Can he hear us right now?
I don’t even know if he is here? Is he here?
He is not here.
*Laughs* He is probably at the gym.
*laughs* Yea he is probably at the gym. He will see this and be like….Oh, I am not grumpy. He is grumpy man.
Ok, so gym you try to do it on tour. But what do you like to do in your spare time? Earlier you mentioned that you have played Sims. I mean that is my game. I still play…. I love Sims.
I found out about Sims, but another one. It is like really old.
What another one from Sims?
It is a Sims like game, but it’s like if you are into like movies.
I am not really a movie person.
It’s Like… it’s wicked! It’s like how a movie studio is created and stuff…and you get to make your own films and you get to….
That’s not Sims though
It’s great, but it is though, because you get to like actors and, directors and stuff like that…. and they get old, they…. I dont know can get into…. become like drug addicts and like……
Really? Ok that sounds a bit fun.
They can have plastic surgery, liposuction ….
What game is this?
It is called ‘The Movies’. It’s so good and the characters look like Sims characters.
So it’s just like Sims but for the movies?
Yea, just like Sims but for films. It’s great!
What else do you like to do in your spare time?
When you are not writing music. When you are not socialising. You just switch off from everyone. What do you do?
I been working on a graphic novel for the past couple of years, which has been cool.
Really?
Eventually I want to put it out, so that has been fun. I have a girlfriend, so I hang out with her. She’s great!
Awww, how long has that been?
3 years the other day. She forgot.
Wow! She forgot? That’s wild *Laughs*
Listen, I am telling everyone this. I sent her a box of roses…… at work …. and she forgot. Yea, she forgot and she was like…wait…. what’s going on? Yea, it’s been like 3 years.
So if the next single is ‘I sent you roses, you forgot’.
Everyone knows why, but….
So that means you must be romantic then?
Who me? Nah, I just like try
You are remembering anniversaries, sending roses….
Yea, because I have forgotten a bunch. So I am like good now at it. So that has given me at least a year of like yea…..
Yea….like you forgot.
Yea.
Is it hard to juggle a relationship and your music career?
Nah, it’s been alright. I feel like it’s been cool
Well 3 years strong. Does it get a bit peak when you bring up certain things in your music?
Nah, we talk about it before.
Nice
We have a chat before.
You don’t do a Taylor?
Swift?
Yea. *Sings* ‘We are never never…..
She is a bit mad -yea.
She put everything out there?
She does. She like…. hasn’t she like broken up with people in a song?
Nah. Really? Nah.
I feel like I have heard that somewhere. No? Like maybe?
Nah that would be mad.
Alright cool.
“Hey Taylor! Erm…. I am going to pick you up at six”.
“Don’t even bother, Spotify my new single….. I hate you don’t pick me up at six”. “Like what?”
Really random question, I don’t know -it just popped into my head right now. Like dude what is your favourite cartoon?
These are the things you need to be asking me. I got a lots.
Go on cause I love cartoons. Ok wait, wait, wait. Lets break this down, because there is levels to this. New school cartoons and then old school cartoons. New school what are you watching right now?
New school…. I was an Adventure Time fan, mainly because it didn’t seem like it was for kids.
Your going for kid, kid type cartoons in new school.
I just. I am a comic book fan and obviously I like cartoons. I just started watching King Titans Go…
You are so going for the kid cartoons new school. OK.
It’s just really weird and I love it. Adult stuff Rick and Morty.
100%
Family guy, American Dad.
Yea. Family Guy or American Dad? Pick
American Dad
100%. Yea. Why is everyone saying Family Guy?
Do you know what Family Guy is like the obvious one, but American Dad is low-key a gem.
Ok listen to this yea, this is my logic to it. Family Guy, Peter will go, “This reminds me of the time when I was so and so……”. Then it flicks to the eye. But then American Dad will be like ” this reminds me of blah blah blah” and then you have to use your imagination.
Cleveland Show is low-key a vibe as well you know.
Ummm
Nothere are some episodes on Cleveland. Don’t get me mad. Cleveland show have a vibe.
No, wait, wait. I feel like in the beginning of Cleveland show it was like ….. errr…But it’s got better. Because the other day I watched a show where he went partially deaf and was agreeing to everything Donna said.
Yea, Yea, Yea.
and he was like “I’ve just worked out women, they just like when you say ummm hmmm. I agree with you”. Then all of a sudden his hearing comes back and they (the kids) are like, “where’s mum?”….and he was like “she went to Italy and quit her job”.
I am gonna watch this one.
It is so funny. She is like “Cleveland, can we?”….. and he is like “uh huh I agree with anything you just said. I love you baby”.
Yea *Laughs*
Yea, Cleveland’s show is lit.
Have you seen big mouth?
Yes.
Isn’t it sick?
Big Mouth is like the weirdest…
It’s so weird.
…but like kind of accurate show to being like young. Like if there were….
You have seen all the episodes yea?
Yea, like I am on….
Have you seen the one where the tampon is walking down the bus singing everybody bleeds?
*Laughs*
Yea. No listen I am telling you there are some weird. It’s a weird show. There is some stuff that I am just like this is a bit …
Mad
Mad and wild. But it is a funny show. I’ll give you that. Have you seen Archer?
My mum is watching Archer. She’s like watch it. She’s trying to get me into it.
Watch it. It is genius. It is incredible.
Disenchantment. I tried to watch that, it was hard.
I started watching that but I was like it’s the people that do Simpsons.
Yea. It’s just like stick to Simpsons.
Futurama is good.
Futurama is elite. This is not cartoons but I feel like you would like this. It’s an undercover gem.
I love what we are doing talking about cartoons in an interview.
I just love TV and cartoons right. We are getting to know you more.
Yea, exactly.
I will listen to your music and say Ha! I know you have seen that episode of Big Mouth. *Laughs*
*Laughs*
New season I will be like I know my guy watched this.
Nah, Nah. Now cause we are doing this, I am going to put way more stuff in there.
In your music?
Yea
Do it, I will listen to it.
That’s why my mum loves Giggs cause he always puts TV…
I need to have a day with Giggs where we are just chatting about Star Wars, all of it, everything.
He put everything he is watching in his music. My mum loves him. She thinks she knows him. It’s mad!
Yea,.
Ok. Hidden gem it’s not a cartoon….Brooklyn 99.
Do you know what I have seen ….. at least 3 or 4 episodes and it is incredible.
It’s one of those ones you don’t plan to watch but it is sick.
I need to like proper get into it, but I have seen 3 or 4 episodes and it is hilarious.
You need to see the episode where they do the backstreet boys.
I think I saw that …. wait… where they are singing each. Oh my gosh…. and he is like “Now Number 5”.
And he is like *sings* tell me why.
Yea.
Right ok, new school we have got it Big Mouth, Rick and Morty, American Dad, Family Guy all of that
Old school. Go…
Did you ever see a show called Daria?
I loved Daria. Yea… *Hums Daria theme tune*. Daria a lot of people didn’t watch it and Doug.
Doug oh my
Do you know what is sick about Doug? Well most people don’t know
Go on….
You like music? Go back and watch Doug. All the episodes the music in it was done with the mouth. So in the beginning it was like *Hums theme song*
Yea
And then when the sister use to walk it would be like *Hums theme song for sister*
That is so funny. Do you know what- I never clocked that. I need to watch that again.
And then Skeeter was like *Hmmm theme song*
That is crazy
Ok, what else? You like Daria, you like Doug.
Erm I was a huge Looney Tunes fan, because it was stupid. and I love stupid stuff. erm what else was there Courage the Cowardly Dog that was a really weird…….
ermmm.
What? What?
See my old school cartoons are more like Cow and Chicken, Dexter’s Laboratory.
Oh yea Cow and Chicken. But Courage the Cowardly Dog was a part of that era.
Was that the one with the granddad?
Yea
Oh yea yea yea.
Yea. It was
And he was always scared of stuff. And the stuff that he was scared of was like I get that, bro.This looks like a demon from like….the pits of hell. But why is this on a show for kid? Its mad. Erm Cow and Chicken was wavey. Dexter’s Laboratory. erm Kids Next Door -K & D. Did you ever see that?
No
Dude come on. They were like secret agents in like a tree house.
Really?
It was amazing.
You had them elite channels- back in the day.
*Laughs* erm what else. I just had one…..Ed Edd and Eddy.
That’s quality. I feel like I can talk to you about cartoons all day.
I feel like we can talk about anything because you have unlocked this……
I unlocked it from earlier on.
You have unlocked Pandora’s Box.
We can talk about anything cause now I really wanna be like, did you watch Sister Sister and Smart Guy, but I need to like calm down.
Of course. Taina all of that.
*sings Tiana theme song* Ok most people don’t know about Taina. It gets on my nerves.
Some people need to get hurt, cause they don’t know about Taina. It’s mad.
Do you know what I mean? and then she is bi-lingual and the going with the Espanol.
Yea. What do you think of Lizzie McGuire coming back?
Nah, not here for it
What?
No. I am not here for a comeback of that but they brought back That’s So Raven.
But it’s not like they are doing what they did….
With That’s So Raven- Actually she has grown up and got kids. Yea, we can do it.
Yea.
I kinda like to see where they are now. I kinda need to see a Friends Movie.
I don’t want to see Friends.
Ok, Samm it’s time to wrap up this interview now. *laughs*
No, do you know why? I am not one of these new age people that hate Friends. Friends is elite. It is wicked, but it’s like the same way I don’t want to see a Fresh Prince.
No, I don’t want to see that movie.
That’s what I am saying I don’t want to see a reunion-none of that. Just that…..we got what we got and that is great. Keep it going.
Alright. Ok…Anyway thank you for joining me
Thank you. This has been…..
Where can we keep up with all the stuff that you have got going on?
Everything is Samm Henshaw. Samm with two Ms. Henshaw H-E-N-S-H-A-W
No one knows how to spell. Erm for some reason….. maybe because I am Nigerian that it should be like have bare letters. But erm thank you this has been great. This has been a great start to the day.
I hope you have good energy and positive vibes all day.
Yes, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you
Amazing. Thank you.