R&B/Rap artist Jordy Sam talks about family, music, and the influences of Nipsey Hussle.
Kitsap Culture: Hi, Jordy Sam, how have you been? I understand you were born and raised here in Bremerton.
Jordy Sam: Well, I was born in Federal Way, but I was raised in Bremerton.
Kitsap Culture: And you graduated from Olympic High?
Jordy Sam: Yeah, in 2013.
Kitsap Culture: What role did your family and just growing up play in your music?
Jordy Sam: I grew up in the church, and that is really where my love for music started. I was picking up drum sticks at the age of two. I started to learn how to play piano at seven, and singing in the youth choir. And, my Mom's a singer and my Dad's a singer and musician. I have a lot of family that's just musically gifted. I was always surrounded by music growing up.
Kitsap Culture: Is there any artist who you aspire to model or who you look up to?
Jordy Sam: I look up to a couple for sure. There's this group down in California named Audio Push. I really like their style, and how free they are with their music. And then also, Nipsey Hussle, rest in peace. He was a huge inspiration to me. He's definitely one of my favorite artists.
Kitsap Culture: Um, yeah. Honestly, I didn't know who he was until he passed away. But liked how much of a community activist he was and how he reinvested back into his community.
Jordy Sam: Mhmm.
Kitsap Culture: Anyone whose death can bring the Crips and Bloods to a truce, that speaks mountains to that artist's character and values. I regret I didn't know about him while he was alive.
Jordy Sam: It wasn't just the Crips and Bloods, either, it was a bunch of different gangs that were calling truces. He had a huge impact. I mean, usually when an artist dies, at least in my lifetime, I never seen any kind of police force react like they did to Nipsey. They saw the positive impact Nipsey was having on his community. This was definitely a huge loss not just to music but humanity. He had a very different mindset. A lot of young cats when they get famous and they make money they start blowing it on a lot of unnecessary stuff. But he had a mindset and a game plan. Even in his music you can hear him talking about having a business model. He was really trying to build a life for himself, his family, and his community.
Kitsap Culture: Have any of Nipsey's beats or his style influenced your music?
Jordy Sam: Definitely. Honestly, I was listening to Nipsey Hussle a lot when I was working on Every Morning. There's something about his attitude that touches me in a way. So, yeah, he definitely has rubbed off on my music.
Kitsap Culture: What about SoundCloud?
Jordy Sam: It's been awhile since I've put anything on SoundCloud, but I'll have something to go on there this summer.
Kitsap Culture: What new singles or collaborations are in the works?
Jordy Sam: I have my double sided album coming out where half of it will be rap and the other half will be R&B and singing. Then I have my summer mix tape which will be going on SoundCloud and Spinrilla. Spinrilla is more of an app than a website. It's kind of like DatPiff. It's in that area. It'll be going on there. And just working with B. Cole in Seattle, and my cousin Dazhinar Watson in Tacoma.
Kitsap Culture: Last summer you released a single with Young Lew about being addicted to someone you love.
Jordy Sam: Yeah, in July we released Addicted as part of the Full Circle album. It's definitely something a lot of people are able to relate to. Especially just the way me and him came at that song...like mine is more so telling her while she's involved with me that I'm addicted to her but from his point of view it's almost like he's addicted to her but she's gone now. If that makes sense. We were able to touch on a couple of aspects but both aspects are relatable for sure I think.
Kitsap Culture: So, is a new summer mix coming out and will it be like last year’s?
Jordy Sam: This one, it's not going to sound anything like my album, Full Circle. It's going to probably go more towards the last mix tape I put out which is the real good, feel good music which has a lot of summer time vibe type songs on it. I've been hearing a lot of people wanting me to go back to that style of music. I like to experiment with my sound a lot, but a lot of people responded well to that project so they've been wanting me to get back to that.
Kitsap Culture: For your single titled Every Morning I Wake Up, was it inspired by a single event or is it just life?
Jordy Sam: There was definitely something that inspired that song. So, last year, in April, I actually ended up leaving the shipyard so that way I could do music full time. And, obviously a lot of people were like 'that sounds crazy', and it's like people when they're saying that to me I take it that they think I'm like still doing this as a hobby like I was in high school. The point of the song is that every morning I wake up and I work. Like this morning, I didn't even go to sleep until six this morning because I was in here at BoomHouse Studios working. This is something I wake up and do. It's my lifestyle.
Kitsap Culture: Right, music is your profession.
Jordy Sam: Exactly. But, then it also doesn't just apply to me because there's people out there who work the 9 to 5s or they do what they do to make their living like being students. This applies to everyone, single parents...the ones that have to drop their kids off early in the morning and then go to work and then make sure they pick them up on time you know. This is a song for everybody.
Kitsap Culture: For that single, what was the writing and recording process?
Jordy Sam: Just because I was kind of in my feelings, with the way that people were responding to my decision to leave the shipyard, it was easier for me to write how I felt. That whole song was just me venting. I was just venting how I feel. I'm always waking up, I know what I gotta to do, I have goals set to make my day successful; to make a win. Recording it was just fun because it wasn't too complex , and just easy for me to ride the vibe to. So, I had a lot of fun recording that one.
Kitsap Culture: What gives you your momentum in your profession?
Jordy Sam: Doubt. I've always, even outside of music, I've had a drive to prove people wrong when they said I can't do something or if they don't have their full belief in me. I'm just like, ‘Okay. Let me show you what I can do.’ That way I don't have to say anything and my work will speak for itself. Doubt is one of the bigger things that drives me. And I also just want to make sure I'm doing something that I love to do because I don't want to work a job where I'm not too happy. In my mind, life is too short not to be happy.
Kitsap Culture: Where are your primary fans?
Jordy Sam: Most of my fans are kind of scattered. I try to follow it but they're all over the place. Like, I have fans here, I have support in Tacoma and Seattle and places I've never been to before.
Kitsap Culture: Now, Spotify shows you have 500 plus monthly listeners from Seattle, yet it seems as if 2,595 or 60% of your monthly listeners are spread across Los Angeles and Chicago. To what do you attribute that weight of listeners in LA and Chicago?
Jordy Sam: I think it just has to do with our push because, for example, whenever I release something new I like to push it onto Facebook ads, and I make sure all the major cities are in the demographic I'm trying to reach. I think that might play a part in it. And, Instagram is another great one too.
Kitsap Culture: I saw that you performed in Bremerton over at the Charleston on Callow. Very cool. Do you have any plans to hit the road?
Jordy Sam: Definitely would like to. Right now I'm just trying to build up the catalog some more to have more music to be able to do on the road. But we're definitely getting there. That time is coming soon I believe.
Jordy Sam is promoted by Doc Blackwell of Lions Den 360. Listen to Jordy Sam on Spotify.
Lumaki ako sa simbahan, and doon nag umpisa ang love ko sa music. I was picking up drum sticks noong dalawang taon pa lang ako. Nagsimula akong mag play ng piano when I was seven, and singing in the youth choir.
Kitsap Culture: Hi, Jordy Sam. Kumusta? I understand sa Bremerton ka ipinanganak at lumaki.
Jordy Sam: Well, sa Federal Way ako ipinanganak pero sa Bremerton ako lumaki.
Kitsap Culture: Sa Olympic High ka nag graduate?
Jordy Sam: Oo, in 2013.
Kitsap Culture: Anong role ng family mo sa iyong music?
Jordy Sam: Lumaki ako sa simbahan, and doon nag umpisa ang love ko sa music. I was picking up drum sticks noong dalawang taon pa lang ako. Nagsimula akong mag play ng piano when I was seven, and singing in the youth choir. Ang mommy at daddy ko ay mga singer at musician. Marami sa pamilya ko ay gifted musically. Napaligiran ako ng music when I was growing up.
Kitsap Culture: May mga artista ka bang ina-aspire to model or hinahangaan?
Jordy Sam: Mayroon for sure. There is this group na nasa California; ang pangalan nila ay Audio Push. Gusto ko ang style nila, and how free they are in music. At gusto ko si Nipsey Hussle, sumalangit nawa. He was a huge inspiration para sa akin. Isa sya sa mga paborito kong artists.
Kitsap Culture: Um, yeah. Sa totoo lang, Di ko si kilala until he passed away. But I liked how much of a community activist he was and he reinvested back sa kanyang community.
Jordy Sam: Mhmm...
Kitsap Culture: Kapag namatay na ang isang tao, death can bring the Crisps and Bloods to a truce, that speaks mountains to that artist’s character and values. Nagsisisi ako di ko siya nakilala noong buhay pa siya.
Jordy Sam: Hindi lang Crisps and Bloods, marami pang ibang gangs that were calling truces. Ang laki ng impact niya. I mean, usually pag namatay ang isang artist at least in my lifetime, di pa ako nakakita ng reaction ng police katulad ng kay Nipsey. Nakita nila ang positive impact ni Nipsey sa kanyang community. Malaking kawalan ito sa music industry at sa humanity. He had a very different mindset. Karamihan sa mga young cats kapag famous na and may pera na, they start blowing it on a lot of unnecessary stuff. Pero siya, he had a mindset and a game plan. Kahit sa music niya, you can hear him talking about having business model. He was trying to build a life for himself, his family and his community.
Kitsap Culture: May na influence ba sayo sa mga beat and style sa music ni Nipsey?
Jordy Sam: Definitely. Sa totoo lang, pinakikinggan ko madalas si Nipsey Hussle when I was working every morning. There’s something about his attitude that touches me in a way. Kaya, oo, he rubbed off on my music.
Kitsap Culture: What about SoundCloud?
Jordy Sam: Medyo matagal na since I’ve put anything on SoundCloud, pero I’ll have something to go on there ngayong summer.
Kitsap Culture: Anong bagong singles or collaborations are in the works?
Jordy Sam: Mayron akong double sided album na ilalabas, kalahati nito ay rap and the other will be R&B and singing. Tapos may summer mix tape ako which will be going on SoundCloud and Spinrilla. Spinrilla ay isang app than a website. Parang katulad ng DatPiff. It’s in that area. Patungo na siya doon. And just working with B. Cole in Seattle, at ang cousin ko na si Dazhinar Watson in Tacoma.
Kitsap Culture: Last summer nag release ka ng single with Young Lew tungkol sa being addicted to someone you love.
Jordy Sam: Oo, noong July nag release kami ng Addicted as part of the Full Circle album. Nakaka relate talaga mga tao ditto. Especially just the way me and him came at that song…like yong sa akin ay more sa telling her while she’s involved with me na addicted ako sa kanya pero sa point of view nya it’s almost like he’s addicted to her but she is gone now. If that makes sense. Na touch naming ang aspects na relatable for sure, I think. If that makes sense.
Kitsap Culture: So, may bago bang summer mix na lalabas at parehas ba ito ng last year?
Jordy Sam: This one, hindi siya parehas ng album kong Full Circle. It’s going to probably go more towards the last mix tape which is the real good, feel good music na may summer time vibe type songs. Marami akong naririnig sa mga tao na nais nila akon bumalik sa ganyang music. I like to experiment with my sound a lot, pero marami ang nagkagusto sa project ko na yan and they want me to get back to that.
Kitsap Culture: Sa single mo a Every Day I Wake Up, inspired bai to sa isang event or is it just life?
Jordy Sam: Definitely may nag inspire talaga sa song na yan. Last year, April, I actually ended up leaving the shipyard para makagawa ako ng music fulltime. And obviously, sabi ng mga tao, ‘that sounds crazy’, and it’s like people when they’re saying that to me I take it that they think I’m still doing this as a hobby katulad noong nasa high school lang ako. Ang point ng song ay tungkol sa tuwing umaga, I wake up and I work. Like this morning, hindi ako nakatulog until six na ng umaga dahil nasa Boomhouse Studios ako nag tratrabaho. This is something I wake up and do. Life style ko na ito.
Kitsap Culture: Right, profession mo na ang music.
Jordy Sam: Exactly. Pero hindi lang sa akin na aaply ito because there's people out there na nagtratrabaho ng 9 to 5s o kaya they do what they do to make their living like being students. This applies sa lahat, single parents…the ones that have to drop their kids off ng maaga para makapasok sila sa trabaho and they make sure na susunduin din nila on time. Ang awit na ito ay para sa lahat.
Kitsap Culture: Para sa single na iyan, ano yung recording and writing process?
Jordy Sam: Just because I was kind of in my feelings, with the way that people were responding sa disisyon ko na umalis sa shipyard, madali lang for me na sumulat sa naramdaman ko. The whole song na iyon was just about me venting. I was just venting sa nararamdaman ko. Palagi akong gising, I know na kung ano gagawin ko, may goals ako araw-araw para maging successful; to make a win. Sa recording, masaya dahil di masyadong mahirap, it was easy for me to ride the vibe. Kaya I had a lot of fun noong ni-record ko 'to.
Kitsap Culture: Anong nagbigay sa iyo ng momentum sa profession mo?
Jordy Sam: Doubt. Kahit sa labas ng music, I’ve had a drive na i-prove sa mga tao na mali ang akala nila that I can’t do something. I’m just like, 'Okay. Ipapakita ko sa inyo ang kakayahan ko.' Sa ganon, parang di ko na kailangan magsalita, my work will speak for itself. Doubt is one sa mga malalaking bagay na nag-tulak sa akin na gawin ito. At nais kong gawin ang bagay na gustong–gusto ko kasi I don't want to work a job na hindi ako masaya. In my mind, napaka-iksi ang buhay for us not to be happy.
Kitsap Culture: Nasaan ang primary fans mo?
Jordy Sam: Karamihan sa mga fans ko ay scattered. I try to follow it pero all over the place sila. Like, may fans ako dito; I have a support in Tacoma and Seattle at mga lugar na di ko pa napuntahan.
Kitsap Culture: Now, Spotify shows na may 500 plus ka na monthly listeners from Seattle, yet it seems as if 2,595 or 60% sa monthly listeners mo ay spread across Los Angeles and Chicago. To what do you attribute that weight of listeners sa LA at Chicago?
Jordy Sam: Sa palagay ko it has something to do with push dahil, halimbawa, pag nag-release kami ng bago, I like to push it sa Facebbok ads, at I make sure mayroon din sa mga major cities na I’m trying to reach. Kaya siguro that might play a part in it. Sa Instagram rin ay isang malaking tulong.
Kitsap Culture: Nakita ko na nag-perform ka sa Bremerton over at the Charleston on Callow. Ang galing. May plano ka ba to hit the road?
Jordy Sam: Syempre gusto ko. Pero sa ngayon, I’m trying to build up the catalog para madagdagan 'yong music ko to be able to do on the road. But papunta na kami doon. Malapit ng dumating ang time na 'yon.
Jordy Sam is promoted by Doc Blackwell of Lions Den 360. Listen to Jordy Sam on Spotify.
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