A Conversation With Sam Cotton
Sam Cotton
The 19-year-old rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Cotton today builds upon his early tracks such as “Find My Way” by releasing his debut EP ‘Afters At 109’, which is out now via AWAL. The EP’s six previously unreleased songs include the focus track “Comment Tu T’appelles?”.
LISTEN HERE.
‘Afters At 109’ documents Sam’s experiences in his room in the halls at university, which doubled up as the bedroom studio where this EP was recorded. After the parties, clubs and bars closed, friends, acquaintances and miscellaneous would often head back there to keep the festivities flowing until the small hours. Sometimes people would be drunk or passed out as smoke filled the room, sometimes late-night films would flash by unnoticed as the backdrop to more intimate moments. These are all moments that Sam vividly captures throughout the EP.
We caught up with Sam to chat about his music and what has influenced him up to this point in his career.
NSG: Good morning and how are you, what have you been doing today and how’s that going?
Sam: I’m good, I just touched down in Mexico to visit my grandparents, and so far have just eaten some incredible tacos and tasted the local mescal.
NSG: Where did you grow up and what was it like?
Sam: I grew up in Twickenham, South West London. It’s one of the nicest suburban areas in London and there isn’t much culture nearby, however, I love venturing out to places like Kingston or further into London where there is more musical culture. I went to a state school here where I met most of my friends. These are some of the people who influenced me and my music. This area is mainly known for its rugby, however, there are many pubs nearby with live music that I would go to and perform in. Heatham House is a youth club nearby where I met some amazing musicians and formed a band where I had my first biggest gig at 15.
NSG: Do you think growing up where you did has influenced your music, and if so, how?
Sam: I think it was more the people in the youth club where I would rehearse that influenced me, it was a very friendly atmosphere where people would share their favourite artists or any inspiration that they have had in their music. I would then go and practice their recommendations on the instruments I’m learning and then this would become a part of my musical palette. I also think studying music at school influenced my music as I began to appreciate music In history and was inspired by some of the experimentation that musicians in history did.
NSG: I read that your new EP ‘Afters At 109‘ is a snapshot of student life. Wanna tell us all about it, like as a rapper, it’s not your usual lyrical content, is it?
Sam: When making this EP, the main idea was to create it for summer. The lyrics and vibe are all based around fun, drinking and mates, all stemming from the experiences I’ve had as a 1st-year student in Leeds. Most rappers’ lyrical content is what’s going on in their lives and that was it for me this year. Many other people my age at uni could relate to it.
NSG: I read that the late great Mac Miller is one of your inspirations, I love that! Can I ask why you became so drawn to being a rapper, like rap music has long been associated with black artists with very few white ones. Do you or did you find it hard to be accepted into the scene as a rapper or do you think race these days isn’t that much of an issue when becoming a rapper?
Sam: Hip hop and rap has always been around for me, my mum brought it into my life as she is from the suburbs of Houston, Texas and grew up in the 90s when rap was emerging. She even taught me a rap when I was 7! From then onwards after learning instruments specifically drums, I learned how to create complex rhythms and could use them in rap.
The rapping fully came about when I posted TikTok videos about it and the response was that I had the voice for it, so I kept working on the craft! I definitely agree with the second question, I could see this with the response on TikTok that I had. A white boy from Twickenham rapping was being rated by a large audience, even other rappers like Cap1talA and Antslive. I felt quite welcomed but this is mainly from the respect for the talent and keeping it real. As long as you’re not tryna be someone you’re not, I feel like anyone can rap about anything and should be treated the same for that. It’s now a genre where rapping can mean many things. There’s rap to help with anxiety, storytelling rap, rap that is more to portray a vibe, etc. All of this is achieved by different people from different backgrounds contributing to the genre. It’s definitely less of an issue. However, some will still judge and the only way to be accepted by them is by mastering the craft and proving to them that you are skilled with poetry and rhythms. Mac Miller did this and that’s why he is a big influence for me. He started off being labelled as a “frat rapper” but then experimented and enhanced the way he rapped. He treated rap as an art and created a new avenue for it. I would like to do the same. Find new musical ways to portray the genre, tying in multiple different things that have influenced me through time.
NSG: What is your dream as a rapper?
Sam: To expand the boundaries of the genre and collaborate with other interesting and amazing artists. As well as playing massive stages and touring the world!
(Sam Cotton)
NSG: To date, what has been your proudest moment as an artist?
Sam: Probably creating this EP. It was a long process and took a lot of time and hard work but once it tied together in the end there was a great sense of achievement. Not everyone can almost single-handedly create a 6 song EP.
NSG: If you could sit down for dinner with any three people from history, past or present, who would they be and why?
Sam: This is a very tough question there are so many people! I’d start of course with someone musically inspiring like Miles Davis who also seemed to have had a wild life with stories to tell, we could also talk about music. Then I’d go for Jesus or whoever claimed to be him. A mad answer but I’d want to know a first-hand account of his life and get blessed or something, I mean he is the most famous guy in the world. Then I’d go for someone funny who can tie the group together and can keep the comedy in the conversation, and for that, I’d turn to Jack Black. I’ve always loved that guy mainly because of School of Rock – I’ve seen that film too many times.
NSG: What is your favourite food/meal and whos it cooked by?
Sam: The good ol Toad in the Hole cooked by my old man. Has such a warm homely feeling to it. My dads always been a great chef. Another answer though would be the Tacos I had today cooked by some guy on the street down the road in Mexico City. Properly authentic!
NSG: How is the rest of 2023 looking for you?
Sam: I’ve got many tunes in the locker waiting to come out. Hoping to get a collaboration soon with someone who can help boost my listeners by the end of 2023. Also, play some more live shows!
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