Today we’d like to introduce you to SammySossa.
SammySossa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey and calling started from residing out of Dallas, Texas. Furthermore, from a high crime rate area globally known as “Nawf Dallas” guided in a household with both parents like most families, consisted of internal issues trying to assemble the pieces to the puzzles together. However, I experienced extreme obstacles and tribulations occurring daily 365 days a year basically for x amount of years. During my childhood, I found myself mingling with many different individuals forcing myself to adapt. Fortunately, I was able to “fit in” with everyone. I thought I had seen it all until I hit high school, still feeling like “the man,” but I found myself somehow competing with other peers with a mutual title.
2015 my junior year in high school was probably the toughest and challenging time period for me up to date; I faced numerous trials and errors at that time. I was always challenged by default by being the youngest in my class, not to talk about playing football. One can imagine that I had to work twice as hard more than my peers to become good at what I did at the time. Sophomore year I was the starting strong safety on my team and ended up having the most tackles on my team it meant a lot to me because at that time that was the only thing that kept me halfway sane with all of the exterior things occurring pertaining to my life. When I was becoming potentially great to align myself with a potential scholarship, my parents pulled me out of football, forcing me to focus my energy on education. My mother wanted me to attend the community college and attempt to get an associate’s degree by the time my peers graduated with a high school diploma. In short, that didn’t work out. My high school coaches turned their backs on me because I was going to be one of the individuals they were going to strongly utilize. Basically, my dreams of playing college football were tarnished
It was difficult for a young individual like me trying to balance three different identities meaning I was attempting to juggle Samuel Archibong, Sammy Sosa, and Sossa. Samuel Archibong was the individual that parents expected and peers relied on to be a “poster child.” I was pressured to get my education aligned right to perform well in high school and peers expected me to always execute in the extracurricular activities that we partook in. Sammy Sosa was also an individual that was captivating to a large community. Sossa was the individual that was basically involved with the streets having to stomach what most wouldn’t want to involve themselves in. I call the streets an environment where “only the strongest survive”.
I mentioned my identities because it helped and curated playing a position at the very beginning of pursuing my music. Before the start, I was jotting down my emotions in a journal to make the pain and time fly by quicker. One thing turned into another and for the love of music, I decided to project those thoughts on a beat. Right then and there I knew I had something where no one could tell me what to do. I controlled that narrative. This turned into a routine occurrence. Granite to further and provide reassurance for my music at that time myself along with other creatives in my high school, formed this music entity called “creative minds,” which was about 20 creatives deep. I found myself working harder, respectively, more talented, and more consistent than these individuals.
I took it upon myself to part ways and this is how my buzzing music collective/brand formed today known as “Modern Oddity aka (MODDO).” It was a tough start as well I found myself trying to keep the team together, but eventually we had a downfall. At that time, MODDO was just a music group consisting of solemnly just rappers. Some of them had big egos, or some of them lacked the drive to move forward, forcing me to put the group on hold. 2017 I decided to re-brand and make it a collective and brand to recruit members with a vision, meaning I wanted to build an empire/dynasty. I recruited the whole humble pie musicians, producers, models, radio hosts, whatever I felt to push my vision to pivot and enhance my dream along with their dreams.
I was pleased this time with being relied on because the music was my most comfortable avenue, decision, and profession to pursue. Tracking back to 2015, where it began, I knew from the very start I wanted to be classified as an all-time great, so I worked precisely on my craftsmanship competing with myself. As the years progressed, I humbly felt that I was making it happen. However, I knew I needed to provide that with great substance and content to make it recognizable. From my brand to my neighborhood to peers for whatever it’s worth, they know the potential is there and up to me for grabs.
Fast forward to 2020 that’s five years of a hopeful motivational journey. I’ve made a mark in showcasing that I am here to inspire my community and the city of Dallas to pursue your dreams. Moreover, Voyage Dallas giving me an opportunity to convey my story to you all reading this at this very moment. The reason I pursue music is to express myself, convey a message by providing a visual image most can relate to. No matter what, even if It isn’t motivational or struggles, I’m going to make that person/people hearing my music to vividly feel the place I was or am heading to overall, you’re going to have a feeling when you think of Sammy Sosa.
Currently, up to date, I have a multi-million hit video on notable and credible platforms rapping with a Dallas police cop you may or may not have seen it lol. I received my first label deal at the age of 17. Recently received interest from 3 major labels in the month of November. I performed at Prairie View A&M University at their homecoming opening with my label-mate Mari V, who was interviewed on Voyage Houston and we opened up for Yfn Lucci. I am in the process of having my first T.V. show air sometime this year. I am working on a dope television series project we are curating at the moment airing this year as well. With all of this groundwork I put in independently, I want to be a household name for my loved ones, Dallas, Texas, stretching all over parts of the world as you can tell I have a lot of work to put in.
Thank you all for this opportunity to help me make this dream possible. -Sammy Sosa
Great, 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?
Not at all. I had to fund my career without a secure job independently. I used to wake up very early, routinely jotting my emotions and crying curating my raps in a notebook. My parents used to tell me I would never make it in music that I should pursue something tangible, which is understandable, but I wanted to change our culture’s typical narrative. I experienced little support and systematic errors.
Please tell us about your work.
I am the founder and C.E.O. of standing and buzzing brand Modern Oddity (Moddo). The role I play is being a vocal artist, male model, C.E.O, director, and screen writer. I’m most proud that my vision is manifesting. I think that the separation comes in with my non-stop hard work, gift, and genuineness and always leaving room for improvement.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Performing a record in front of 3500 people and executing with an honest and engaging crowd.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ampl.ink/7QZMK
- Email: sammysossamgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesammysossa/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSammySossa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesammysossa?lang=en
Image Credit:
shot by @jaywillies
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