Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Elice.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was 11-years-old when I started singing in the youth choir at Greenwood C.M.E. church in Memphis, Tennessee. During that time, R&B singer K. Michelle was also singing in the young adult choir at my church. I was mesmerized by how she captivated the congregation and I instantly knew I wanted to pursue music. My father also has influenced my decision to pursue music.
My mother told me stories about how I would crawl to the door to hear my father play music in his in-house studio. My father played the guitar, saxophone, and keyboard. He also wrote music for the blues singer ‘Bobby Blue’ Bland. While attending White Station High School, I performed for the first time with two of my close friends at a talent show. I remember this day like it happened yesterday. My friends and I wore a white sequin top with black bottoms. We performed Destiny’s Child ‘Gospel Medley.’
After graduating from high school I participated in a summer program at the Stax Music Academy to gain knowledge of vocal scales. At the age of 19, I recorded and produced my first self-titled album ‘Samantha Elice.” I later performed a few songs from the album at Isaac Hayes NightClub and Restaurant which was located in downtown Memphis. I took a break from music to figure out which genre I was the most passionate about and to devote time to writing music.
My gap year from music eventually led me to The Consortium Memphis Music Town (MMT) Soulright Music Mentorship Program. While completing the program, I gained insight into the business aspects of the music industry and tools to help me become a better vocalist and songwriter. I was named an “Emerging Star” after completing the Soulright Music Mentorship Program and the rest is history.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth, however, the journey is necessary.
Taking a break from the music industry has been one of my biggest struggles. Everything has changed since I recorded my first self-titled album in 2004. For instance, how an artist distributes music, the way music sounds, and the way it is produced. Now, an artist can circulate their music on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Whereas, in 2004 music was still being distributed on CDs.
Another struggle is learning how to be my authentic self in an industry that is constantly changing. Sometimes we as artists and songwriters get so distracted with things that are trending for the moment that we lose focus on creating music for the long haul.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 2021, I adjusted my sound as a Neo-Soul artist and released my single “Back In the ’90s.’ I wrote “Back In the 90’s” while working my 9-5. I have always been inspired by the way music sounded in the ’90s, so I wrote the line in the first verse “Finally Took the Long Way Home” as I was envisioning myself driving home from work and thinking about all of the struggles of being an adult.
I started recording the song on my iPhone and got distracted by being an adult. A few months passed and I decided to finish the song. Within hours “Back In The 90’s” was completed and I released the song on DistroKid. In 2022, “Back In The 90’s” made its first debut on 88.5 The Voice of SCS, a local radio station in Memphis.
At the start of 2022, I began to work on my EP. I wanted to create music that could uplift my listeners, so I wrote: “Black is Here to Stay.” While being in a state of anger and sadness due to the injustices of African Americans across the US, I honed my emotions to create this empowering anthem. When I wrote “Black is Here to Stay”, we were all sitting still because we were in the middle of the shutdown and quarantine in 2020.
We all saw what happened to George Floyd and Breyonna Taylor. There had been so many injustices that happened before and unfortunately more after. Sadly, we are going to see the same thing happen over and over again unless all races come together as one and make a change. I thought ‘Black is Here to Stay” was going to be an angry song, but it turned into something beautiful and empowering.
I feel that the way I express myself through my music sets me apart from others. We all go through the everyday struggles of life but we don’t have to constantly sit in sadness and anger. We can look at our losses as lessons and learn from them. I am most proud of the obstacles I have overcome in my journey and looking forward to what’s to come in the future!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am grateful for all of the listeners who have supported me thus far.
I’m also grateful for this journey to create music that reflects the inner thoughts of a woman’s point of view, who unapologetically navigates the world while maintaining her self-worth. My new single “Black is Here to Stay” is out on all music streaming platforms and stay tuned for the debut of my EP, which will be released later this year.
Contact Info:
- Email: samanthaelicemusic@gmail.com
- Website: samanthaelice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthaelicemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samanthaelicemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLLQwGEgO_q22Xo4EKXjKg
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tL4lzce9ZyVo0WFgxG56L?si=ZJmWquQQSuCeE5gpaNyxwg
Image Credits
Ben Brown @benbrown_photography and Ashley Skrabut @askrappy
