Interview: Urban Pop Artist and Producer Samantha Leah Discusses Her New Single and Video "Hot Boy"
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We connected with talented urban pop artist and producer Samantha Leah for an exclusive interview to discuss her dope new single and video “Hot Boy”, as well as finding out whether it will be appearing on an upcoming EP or album, and what her goals are for the remainder of 2018.
After reading our Q&A with Samantha, be sure to stream “Hot Boy” on Spotify, and connect with her on social media so you’ll know what’s next to come from this multi-talented musician on the rise!
Congratulations on your new single and video “Hot Boy”. Tell us what motivated you to write this song and who produced it?
Thank you, I’m extremely excited about this single! Actually, one of my best friends from high school is the producer of this song (artist name: zavai - also 1/2 of electronic duo Wuzu.) He and I have always had a similar taste in music, and when he sent this to me, I fell in love with it instantly.
When I listened to the track on my speakers with the sub booming, I felt this underground club vibe - it brought me back to moments when I had unexpectedly stumbled upon a small venue or basement party that had the greatest sound system and the greatest music playing. These are exhilarating experiences for me and even sort-of dream-like because underground venues with dope music and dope sound is where I feel pure freedom - a total getaway from “reality.”
In this environment, my natural tendency has always been to gravitate towards someone I feel attracted to and to dance with them for all or most of the night. This ‘hot boy’ of the night would always be a dazzling creature with whom all of my attention would go to. And that’s really what this song is about. But, to get back to that concept of being disconnected from reality, there’s always a piece of me that knows that, once the night ends and reality hits, this ‘hot boy’ and I have nothing left to offer each other. The ending of the song (and what I view as the ending of the night) brings this element of reality back, and I choose to leave the ‘hot boy’ behind to go home alone.
Tell us about the visuals for “Hot Boy”. How did you come up with the video treatment and was your choreography freestyled? It looked very natural and not overly rehearsed.
After numerous ideas I had regarding the video, I came up with a loose treatment of how I wanted things to go. And, you’re right: I definitely didn’t over-rehearse! I created that choreography the day before the shoot, as there was a very last-minute change in plans, and basically just went for it. Haha. The later choreo between me and the ‘hot boy’ (who is actually my boyfriend, Darienstaxx, a hip-hop artist) was planned, though. I knew this dream-like dance between us needed to be a part of the video. I also knew that I wanted everything to rewind at the end, to further push the concept of this fantastical disconnection from reality that this ‘hot boy’ makes me feel and to bring up the question of, "Did any of that actually happen?"
Will “Hot Boy” be appearing on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?
I just recently decided that I do want to put “Hot Boy” on an upcoming EP. Today, the words "Divine Feminine" popped into my head. I feel as though a lot of my past music is very hard-hitting, very masculine. But, lately, I’ve been working more on a softer, prettier, more feminine sound. Therefore, I am going to title the project “Divine Feminine” - also as an ode to Mac Miller (RIP).
What are your goals musically for the remainder of 2018?
My goals for the rest of 2018 are to focus on perfecting the quality of my sound and to meet with other artists who share similar goals. My ultimate goal is to teach people how to be authentic and stay true to themselves and, to do this, you must lead by example. I would like to surround myself with creatives who are not afraid to be themselves and who celebrate the qualities that make them unique.
If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?
Captivating. Conscious. Unique.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist and producer? What frustrates you the most?
The thing I enjoy most about being an artist and producer is that the next thing you will create is always a surprise. I think it’s so cool that you literally give birth to something that never existed before in the unique way that you did it.
What frustrates me the most is that sometimes I feel like people are closed-minded about new sounds and uncommon topics. It seems like most people would prefer to listen to music about love, sex, drugs, violence, crime, heartbreak, and so on, but music that does not fit into these topics are sometimes overlooked. Same with music that is not genre-specific. I feel like some of my unusual, experimental music is overlooked because it doesn’t fall into any of the main genres that most people listen to.
When you are not in the studio working on new music, what do you like to do to unwind and for fun?
When I’m not in the studio, I like to drink coffee, stretch, do yoga here and there, meditate, walk, bask in the sun, exercise, and hang out with my family. I enjoy simple things.