Known as Boston's Boy, Sammy Adams burst onto the music scene in 2009 with his hit remix "I Hate College." As a multi-talented artist, singer, and producer, Sammy fulfilled his demand by releasing his first independent album in 2010 called "Boston's Boy." Quickly rising to the #1 spot on the iTunes hip-hop charts over artists such as Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled, Adams had cemented his spot on the scene.
Balancing a blossoming music career and classes at Trinity during the summer of 2010, Sammy recorded "Party Records", a mixtape over beats by the likes of Deadmau5, Rusko, and A-Trak, in London. Leading to a nationwide House of Blue tour, Adams found his top single from Boston's Boy "Driving Me Crazy" getting spins on the radio, and the "Party Records" mixtape with critical acclaim.
Well, guess what, people? I got to interview Sammy Adams!
You recently released your new album, The Long Way. For people just learning about you, what can they expect from The Long Way? How does it compare to your previous album?
The Long Way is just the natural evolution of Sammy Adams. For anyone just learning about me, this is me in a nutshell. There's heartfelt lyrics, amazing production, incredible hooks - it's all just good music. It's what I strive for every day. For those who have been with me since Boston's Boy, you can tell I've grown up but I am the same old Sammy. It's what Boston's Boy 2.0 would be in 2016.
What's involved in making a music video? Which video of yours is by far your favorite?
My musical process has always been pretty simple - we don't do writing camps + big budget super-producers... I work with a handful of producers who are my legitimate friends, I write my music by myself or with one of a few talented collaborators, and it all draws from my real life experiences. I try to make music that me and my fans can vibe out to at any time.
My team and I are independent now so it's a small circle. It's my manager, touring crew, agent, my publicist and me- besides that the most important people on the team are the fans - my day 1's.
The "Helluva" video was the best video I've ever made and definitely a fun one to make. How could you not have fun shooting that? - View the NSFW video.
You have an independent label, 1st Round Records, which led to a deal with Sony RCA. Then you decided to go back to independent. What's the story about signing with Sony RCA then going back to independent?
Without delving into the nitty-gritty, the major label deal I signed just didn't go my way. When you do something on your own, like building this fanbase from nothing and putting out Boston's Boy with a team of knuckleheads in a house in Boston, there's something appealing about "going to the majors" - signing that deal. But in reality, it adds a ton of cooks to the kitchen with little in return. Politics and false starts led me back to being independent where I'm back to being the boss. We put the new album out with 1st Round Records since they know me and know my music and helped me get the fans what they deserve.
While you were with Sony RCA, you collaborated with Enrique Iglesias, writing and featuring on your single "Finally Found You". How does that work, exactly? Talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists.
Enrique and I met through a close industry friend and I showed him this song I had written which I thought could work for him. We got in the studio one night to help him put it down and he asked if I wanted to do the verse on the actual record. I couldn't believe it when it actually made the final cut. He's an incredible artist and an amazing dude, would love to work with him again. Other than that, I really only work with my friends, you won't find any forced collabs from me, so if I am on a track with someone, I know them and want to work with them.
What was your childhood like? Did you always want to do music?
My childhood was sports sports sports and music music music. My parents raised me around so much art and music, but knew I was too high energy to NOT be on the sports field. I did it all. Soccer was always top priority until I got hurt senior year at Trinity and started taking music seriously. Then it was no looking back...
Talk about your experiences in a studio. What goes into it? Any great stories/memories?
Studio is always going to be a great time for me. It's my happy place. I like to write outside of the room - on the street, in my apartment, at the beach, on a plane. Where the experiences are more fresh. We get in the studio to lay it down and get it right. There have been some epic sessions - there's nothing better than knowing you have an absolute banger on your hands. It's an amazing feeling.
How important is social media to your career?
Social is everything. It's a direct line to my fans at all times. We're on the road so much it's amazing I can reach kids in every corner of the globe from my cell phone. Snapchat (SANDYADAMS - Follow me) has become my favorite recently, but they all serve their purposes.
What's it like playing in front of a live audience?
Touring is the payoff. After all those hours in the studio, all those marketing and label meetings, once the music is out and you get to hit the road with your boys, there's nothing like it. My first show was at a bar in Boulder, CO that doesn't even exist any more - the stage was me standing on the bar. We did "I Hate College" like four different times. Now we're performing in front of thousands with confetti cannons and LED walls - it's just plain fun.
Anything else you'd like to say?
Make sure you give my new album a listen, and if you like it, come see me on tour this fall!