Cy-Fair ISD graduate SamTheBoi chases big music dreams

Simmon’s latest track is “The Mission,” which features Boston rapper Cam Meekins and local Houston artist Lil Kane.

Recently, Simmons has begun recording a large portion of his songs at Friend’s house, which offers close proximity and the requisite equipment. In the studio, Friend said he samples vinyl for instrumentals, builds beats for the artists and masters records after they are recorded.

Simmons said he records his songs using a microphone in a soundproofed closet.

“I like it more than recording in other studios,” Simmons said. “I have more control, and sometimes the engineers [at other studios] have a different style.”

Logan Kliafas, Simmons’ friend and fellow Langham Creek graduate, said Simmons’ first song was a playful effort between the two to celebrate their baseball team—the Langham Creek Lobos—making it to the state tournament.

“We made a little song for our friends,” he said. “That’s what really got him into it. He sounded like he really liked doing it.”

Simmons said popular hip-hop artists, such as Mac Miller, A$AP Rocky and Logic, have inspired his lyrics and message. He said he would like to work with Houston artist Tedy Andreas, who reposted his extended play album after it dropped.

“My favorite artist is Mac Miller—he’s definitely my biggest influence,” Simmons said. “I’m going to try to work with Cam Meekins again, maybe Skizzy Mars and people like that.”

Since graduating, he has dedicated time to his music, performing his first live show in Houston in June.

“It opens up a lot of my time to make moves in the music scene for sure,” Simmons said. “I’m going to take a few classes at community college, but music’s the main goal. That’s the main focus.”

Kliafas said Simmons’s rap career has a bright future.

“I think Sam is incredibly smart in how he markets his music and how he distributes it,” he said. “Sam found the right connections, and he’s making moves to get his music heard. I think with his intelligence and how he outsources it, Sam can do as much as Sam wants to do.”