Music of Thursday, 23 February 2006

Source: ghanamusic.com

Sammi B Fulfils A Cherished Dream

Samuel Kwame Bampoe a.k.a Sammi B is a popular and familiar household name on both on television and on radio. But there is another side his fans are yet to see - music. And that is the new image the exciting entertainer would want to project this season.

This Easter, Sammi B, famed for the 'Atongo' role in the Interplast radio commercials and his appearance in 2004 Big Brother Africa reality show, recorded in South Africa and telecast around the world, will release his first musical album titled 'Sammi B - Project A'.

The release of the album is in fulfillment of a cherished dream in his career which has all along been linked to music. Though it is his first album, Sammi B is no novice in the music industry having had stints with very notable musicians in the recent past.

His music career started in the mid 90s when he did a compilation of songs with other musicians and recorded one song titled 'Woa Nka' enjoyed little airplay.

Thereafter, the sensational Adane Best featured him on of the songs on his album 'Rabbi' and Reggie Rockstone also featured him on 'Night Life' in Accra.

His performance with these top musicians in Ghana spurred him on to take up music and the outcome is 'Sammi B - Project A'.

On his debut, Sammi B also had the benefit of collaborating with Wutah, Nkasei, Tony Harmony, Osagyefo and Icon, a new female artiste.

The album which has eight tracks and two remixes opens with 'Darling' which is of a funky beat making it irrestible. It talks of the need for one to keep in touch with his love because there are times the absence of his love prevents him from carrying out his daily activities.

'On Ye Si Nipo', Sammi B talks about the woman in his life who accepts him for who he is. He features Nkasei on 'Wogo Wogo' another song on the album.

On this track, he acknowledges the feminine qualities of a woman which most times attracts men and cautions men not to date women who are already involved with other men. Other tracks on the album are 'Sugar' and 'My Road' featuring Wutah.

In a chat with Showbiz, Sammi B said all the songs on the album were written by him and he gets his inspiration from everyday life and past experiences.

"I am putting my best into music in order to come out with good songs that will win me awards in Ghana and places where music matters most. That is my dream and I will make sure I achieve the ultimate and hope to continue with my education in the near future", he said.

Sammi B who has cut off his dreadlocks said he did that to coincide with the release of his album. "I wanted to repackage myself for my new album and also as a sign of respect towards my late father during his funeral".

Touching on 'Big Brother', Sammi B fondly remarks it was a once in a lifetime experience and he is happy it happened to him.

"The show enabled me to establish a strong relationship with people from other African countries. After the Big Brother show, I was engaged to work as a presenter of a pilot programme on Ghanaian music on Channel O. I did that for a year. The programme has been put on hold due to lack of sponsorship", he said.

A native of Mampong Akuapem in the Eastern Region, Sammi B was born in 1974 in Kumasi to the late Professor B. O. Bampoe and Madam Lucy Ackwonu.

He attended Ebenezer Secondary School, Accra in 1986 for his O' Level and did his A' Level at the Presbyterian Boys Secondary, Legon where he completed in 1993.

After secondary school, he worked at Choice FM then Sunshine FM as a presenter. He later moved to Joy FM and after to its sister station Adom FM. He is currently the presenter of Ayeekoo and the Big Dance Band on Happy FM.

Aside working as a radio presenter, he now signs up a new artistes on a record label known as Sound Check in Accra and he is also in the presence of establishing his own studio, Big Brother.