Iniabasi Samuel Henshaw, professionally known as Samm Henshaw (born 22 February 1994), is an English singer,[4] songwriter, and record producer.[5] Henshaw garnered mainstream radio support from BBC Radio 1[6] and was chosen by James Bay, Chance the Rapper, and Allen Stone for tour support.[7] His 2019 single The World Is Mine was used as the theme music for Amazon Studios' TV adaptation of Alex Rider, based on the popular teen book series by Anthony Horowitz. Samm's debut album, Untidy Soul, was released on January 28, 2022.[8]

Samm Henshaw
Background information
Birth nameIniabasi Samuel Henshaw[1]
Also known asSamm Henshaw
Born (1994-02-22) 22 February 1994 (age 30)
London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • drums
Labels
Websitesammhenshaw.com
Henshaw on the set of his music video "The World Is Mine".[3]

Early life

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Henshaw was born in London, England, and was raised by Nigerian parents in South London.[9]

Henshaw spent his secondary years at Cleeve Park School, then pursued a popular music performance[10] degree at Southampton Solent.

Career

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2014–2015: Debut EP The Sound Experiment

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Henshaw's debut EP, The Sound Experiment, was released in 2015 and featured production and songwriting input from Wayne Hector and Fred Cox, amongst others.

2016: The Sound Experiment 2

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Henshaw's second EP, The Sound Experiment 2, was released in the summer of 2016. Henshaw released music videos for "Our Love" and "Night Calls", promotional singles from The Sound Experiment 2.

2022: Untidy Soul

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After releasing the singles Still Broke (featuring Keyon Harrold), Grow, and Chicken Wings, Henshaw released his debut album Untidy Soul. Critics stated the album was based on "rootsy, old-school soul, 90s hip-hop, bluesy jazz and gospel," with Henshaw calling it "a reflection of his own 'scatterbrain", each song telling a different story.[11][12]

Artistry

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Henshaw with The Sound Experiment band, London, 22 June 2015.

Alongside gospel artists Helen Baylor, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, and Alvin Slaughter, Henshaw is said to have spent his childhood devouring mainstream pop music, from Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to Usher and N*Sync. More recently, Henshaw identifies his biggest vocal inspirations as D’Angelo, Paolo Nutini, and Lauryn Hill, and finds songwriting inspiration in Grammy award winner Frank Ocean.[13]

Tours

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Supporting

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details
Untidy Soul
  • Released: 28 January 2022
  • Label: Dorm Seven
  • Format: Digital download

Extended plays

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Title Details
The Sound Experiment
  • Released: 25 September 2015
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Digital download
The Sound Experiment 2
  • Released: 15 July 2016
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

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  • 2018: "How Does It Feel?"[14]
  • 2018: "Broke"
  • 2018: "Doubt" (feat. Wretch 32)
  • 2019: "Church" (feat. EarthGang)
  • 2019: "The World Is Mine"
  • 2019: "Only One to Blame"
  • 2020: "Change for Me" (with Brasstracks)
  • 2020: "All Good"
  • 2021: "Still Broke" (feat. Keyon Harrold)
  • 2021: "Grow"
  • 2021: "Chicken Wings"
  • 2022: "Pull Up" (Smoko Ono featuring Samm Henshaw)
  • 2023: "Barcelona" (Kota the Friend featuring Samm Henshaw)
  • 2023: "Jumoke"

Guest appearances

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Title Year Other artist(s) Album Credits
"Don't Worry"[15] 2016 Tom Prior The Sunday Scene Background vocals
"Good Morning" 2017 Wretch 32 FR32 Featured artist, songwriter
"Unfinished Sympathy" Pete Tong, Heritage Orchestra, Jules Buckley Ibiza Classics Featured artist, vocals
"Rest" 2019 Half Alive Now, Not Yet Featured artist, songwriter
"Rise" N/A Godfather of Harlem soundtrack Featured artist, songwriter
"Change For Me" 2020 Brasstracks Golden Ticket Featured artist, songwriter
"Breakup Season" 2021 Maya Delilah Breakup Season (feat. Samm Henshaw) Featured artist, songwriter

References

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  1. ^ "Iniabasi Henshaw Bushstock Festival". bushstock.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015.
  2. ^ Garros, Arthur (20 May 2019). "Samm Henshaw: The British-Nigerian R&B singer with the "Church" radio hit". crossrhythms.co.uk. Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 10 August 2022. The British-Nigerian R&B singer with the "Church" radio hit
  3. ^ "Samm Henshaw Shares Music Video for New Single". broadway world. n.d.
  4. ^ "Introducing... Samm Henshaw". Clash.
  5. ^ "Introducing Samm Henshaw". livenation.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Samm Henshaw's latest track Better". idolmag.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Samm Henshaw Dates". ibandsintown.com.
  8. ^ Untidy Soul, 28 January 2022, retrieved 28 January 2022
  9. ^ "Samm Henshaw Biography | Booking Info for Speaking Engagements". www.allamericanspeakers.com. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Samm Henshaw Biography". amazingtunes.com.
  11. ^ "Samm Henshaw – 'Untidy Soul' review: gospel-inspired crooner shares bittersweet reflections". NME. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Samm Henshaw: Untidy Soul review – a wry, low-key take on the modern self". the Guardian. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Iniabasi Henshaw Bushstock Festival". bushstock.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Samm Henshaw discography". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Credits / Samm Henshaw". Tidal. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
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