Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha M Ramirez Hernandez.
Hi Samantha M, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My musical career did not begin until after I graduated college, however my passion for music has been inside me since childhood. My earliest memories involve me singing alongside my grandmother back in my native land. These memories bring lots of joy because I know that music was and is a huge part of my family’s history. The more I worked at my musical career the more I uncovered about my family’s own experiences with music. My grandfather, grandmother, and several other relatives were known for their beautiful voices and amazing guitar skills. Looking back now, it’s easy to see why I chose to pursue my dream. Once I graduate college, I took a break from academics and dove into my passion for hip hop and singing. I began going to an open mic called The Coollab Project and was pleasantly overwhelmed by all of the talent, it inspired me to follow my dream. Nervous as ever I performed for the very first time in front of people. The rest was history, I gained lots of great friends from The Coollab Project. These friends encouraged me and helped me with all of my musical endeavors. Looking back at my childhood the odds were stacked against my family and myself, being an immigrant family with not many opportunities available to us, it did not seem that music could be a choice. However, my mother taught me to be strong, resilient and find ways to make music a choice.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, as mentioned before I did not have the opportunities to make music a choice for my career. Often immigrant families have to put their passions to the side in order to provided and survive for their families. My mother worked very hard to keep a roof over our heads and our bellies full, unfortunately anything outside of that is not a priority. My mother could not afford music lessons. However, she was able to save up enough money to rent an instrument so that I could learn for free at my school. She was denied the ability to rent the instrument due to her not having a California ID. It was a catch 22, I decided from a young age that no one could tell me no if I used my own voice, my very own instrument. It was a moment of freedom.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Mexican rapper and singer, my experience as an immigrant and DACA recipient greatly informs my art. I am known for using my music to amplify immigrant voices and inspire community change. I am most proud of the way I am able to represent my culture in such an impactful way. My message has always been centered around love, unity, and community and believe this is was sets me apart.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to those who are just starting out, KEEP GOING especially when it gets hard, believe in yourself the rest will follow. Another piece of advice is don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Your success is not measured by what other people are doing. Something I wish I knew was how much fun it was going to be so that I could do it sooner. Once you start doing what you love all of the possibilities are endless.
Contact Info:
- Website: Samylovemusic.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/samy_love__?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@samy_love
Image Credits
Personal Photo/ Jump suite: Photos credits @Raemystic Mexico jersey: Photos credits @edxponce Flower field: Photos credits @mictyson
