In anticipation for his set during CrucialFest 7, hip-hop artist LongShotSAM (Sam Chanthalisay) talks about the early beginnings in his creative journey, how his culture shaped his work and as an individual growing up in North Logan, and how he got his name on the Crucialfest 3 and Crucialfest 7 setlist.
When SAM was young, his older brothers influenced him a lot. “I was the youngest of four boys,” he says. “I was always the tagalong and doing whatever they were doing.” This led him to find one of the most influential songs of his career, “Dear Mama” by Tupac. “I could just relate to it so much because I was so close to my mom,” SAM says. “I just remember how powerful and how talented he was in that song, and it inspired me.”
Being a minority, rap and hip-hop gave SAM something that he could relate to. Since a lot of people from his hometown were into extracurricular activities and participating in hobbies that he and his family couldn’t afford, SAM found comfort in coming home to his music. “My parents didn’t really have the time or the money to sign me up for those things,” he says, “but picking up a pencil and a notebook is free. So, I gravitated towards music and art.”
SAM also mentions how his childhood friend, Bryan Harris, introduced Jarom Bischoff to SAM’s music. Bischoff would eventually give him the chance to have is first performance ona Crucialfest 3 stage. Once Jarom heard the Extra Curricular EP, he liked it, which lead to SAM performing in this year’s fest. “I’m coming prepared with heat,” he said. “If it’s a 15-minute or a 30-minute set, no matter what they give to me—I’ll be ready.”
From creating his own cover art to building and creating his own home studio, SAM’s rap game is growing alongside of him. Be sure to catch him performing Crucialfest 7 this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 3, at The Gateway. For more information on LongShotSAM’s performance on Sunday or more information on Crucialfest 7, visit crucialfest.com.
Thanks for listening to SLUG Mag Soundwaves.
- This podcast was created by SLUG Magazine and produced by Angela H. Brown and Secily Anderson
- Associate Producers: Alexander Ortega, Joshua Joye, John Ford, Kathy Zhou
- Executive Producer: Angela H. Brown
- Background raps by LongShotSAM
- Soundwaves logo and art design by Nicholas Dowd
- Technical design by Kate Colgan
- Photo: @Andy_Aquino
SLUG Magazine’s mission is to provide an honest journalistic alternative to mainstream coverage of arts, music, events and lifestyle. SLUG adds value to lifestyle through community engagement. Available in print and digitally on SLUGmag.com.
