Biography
Authenticity is a rare quality that everyone respects – especially in the music industry. While R&B/Pop hopefuls often conform to current trends to grasp relevancy, veteran and R&B sensation Sammie Bush continues to display the winning formula for longevity.
Sammie Lee Bush, Jr. was born on March 1, 1987 in Boynton Beach, Fla. The platinum-selling artist, better known as “Sammie,” was destined to be a star due to his mother’s background as a professional singer. As a child, he had a special oar that made him the center of everyone’s attention. At four, he received a standing ovation in church for his mind blowing performance of “Troubles Don’t Last Always.” It was the performance that deemed his success.
At seven, Sammie’s family moved from Delray Beach, Fla. to Miami and attended Charles Drew Elementary where he was in the magnet program. In addition to academics, Sammie was also in chorus where he was most comfortable. With a voice beyond his age, Wanda Williams, the chorus instructor, invited Sammie to join an all male group called “Wonder 3.” After approving, the three boys took their love of music to a new level.
At 11, “Wonder 3” auditioned at the Apollo after Williams submitted a tape of them singing. After auditioning, the group didn’t progress; however, Sammie was called back to be a contestant in the kid’s segment. With the support of his group members, he returned and made his first step into stardom as a solo artist. In 1998, Sammie visited the Apollo Theater again where he made it all the way to the final round. It was then when his defeat turned into a win. Joyce Irby, former co-lead vocalist of the 1980s all-girl group “Klymaxx” heard Sammie’s undeniable talent and became his manager. It was then that she introduced him to Grammy-award winning producer/songwriter Dallas Austin in the summer of 1999.
Austin and Sammie had an instant connection and went right to work. That summer, Austin signed 12-year-old Sammie to Freeworld Entertainment label under Capitol Records. Within three months, Sammie recorded and released Gold-selling album entitled “From the Bottom to the Top,” which included two Top 10 hits, “I Like It” and “Crazy Things I Do.”
After a successful debut, Sammie took a break from music to continue his education at West Orange High School. Although education was his top priority, during a break from school, Sammie featured on “Hardball,” a single from the 2001 So So Def soundtrack also featuring Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Bow Wow and Lil’ Zane. With his consistent efforts, he graduated in 2005.
Once completed, a more focused and educated Sammie went back to his first love – music. In 2006, he signed to Austin’s reactive label, Rowdy Records. The new deal birthed Sammie’s self-titled sophomore album, “Sammie.” The successful album featured the Top 30 R&B single, “You Should Be My Girl” produced by Jazze Pha featuring Sean Paul of Youngbloodz. The song peaked at the No. 2 on BET’s 106 & Park, solidifying Sammie as a staple teen heartthrob. His second single, “Come with Me,” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles, premiered on 106 & Park and was inspired by Michael Jackson’s music video “Stanger in Moscow.”
After a brief break, Sammie returned and shot up the charts in 2008 with his feature on Soulja Boy’s Top 10 Hot 100 single, “Kiss Me Thru the Phone.” The single rejuvenated Sammie’s fan’s spirits and instilled motivation for his upcoming endeavors. In that same year, Sammie decided to part ways with Rowdy Records, on good terms. He had this to say:
“I felt it was time for me to step out on my own, into a state of entrepreneurship,” said Sammie. “I’ve been in the industry since I was 12, so I have an understanding of what I should look like, sound like and where I should be as an artist. Star Camp Music not only allows me to take my career into my own hands but provide a vehicle for talented producers and artist to be heard.”
In 2009, Sammie and Ryan “Boogie” Marsh ventured off to form their own full-service management and production label, Star Camp Music. The company will garner new artist and producers and produce Sammie’s highly anticipated junior album “Coming of Age.” The joint venture with Street Love founders Big Reese and Jasper Cameron will unite music and independence to create one sound.
In the summer of 2009, Sammie released “Swag&B,” a fully-loaded mix tape featuring Atlanta’s top mix tape D.J. Holiday and some of the year’s sexiest songs covered by yours truly. With more than 100,000 downloads in its first week, fans were reunited with their favorite R&B crooner.
No, he’s not done yet! Sammie will release his first EP entitled “It’s Time” at the top of 2010. The eight-song masterpiece will include a club hit “Put it on my Tab” and a sultry ballad “Magic Show” exclusively for his fans and can be downloaded at: www.princesammie.com.
In addition to Sammie’s new found label, he had one dream unfulfilled – the chance to use his celebrity to give back to youth. In this instance, in 2009, Sammie founded “Sammie’s Youth Foundation.” With its slogan being: “It’s Bigger than Music. It’s Education,” the foundation’s vision is to create a culture where youth are able to understand the importance of a continued education and to use music as a tool to enhance their educational experience. The foundation has completed a three-school Atlanta tour and is to launch January 2010 by embarking on a 20-school Atlanta tour providing educational insight and celebrity testimonies about music and their mission to make this industry better for the next generation.
For more information, please visit: www.princesammie.com
*For booking information, please contact “Boogie” (Management) at: booksammie@gmail.com
*For media inquiries, please contact Josh King (Publicist) at: joshking@princesammie.com
*For Sammie’s Youth Foundation information, contact Melissa Mitchell (Director) at: Melissa@sammiesyouthfoundation.com
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