Soul, Hip-hop, Rock even Reggae Queen
April Sampe
Age:31
Reside: DC metro
Hitting the musical scene as a young teenager, April Sampe shared the stage with 4 other girls in the group Black Diamond at the age of 16. They hit the east coast circuit, performing at such places as the Apollo and various talent shows. Sampe says she was singing before she could even talk though and after paving a path with Black Diamond she branched off and began collaborating with rappers. Her stage name became Queen and if you've ever graced her presence you would understand such a dynamic name for this woman. Demanding the crowds attention, her voice shakes any ones soul with her strong vocals.
UTP: How did your career begin?
April Sampe: After being apart of the all girls group Black Diamond at the age of 18 I began performing as Queen. I featured hooks for rappers and worked with a production company called World Premier Entertainment. I was able to be on TV with a BET show called Sound Stage Concert where I danced, which opened doors, allowing me to sing on the episode. I frequented Crampton auditorium at Howard University. After a near fatal diagnosis I was able to regain my musical stance and received the opportunity to travel with the group Fertile Ground, which after I left them allowed me to get more shows because of former relationship with FG.
UTP: What are some obstacles you've faced as a singer?
AS: In 2004, I was diagnosed with a throat tumor after I stopped breathing in my sleep. I thought I was going to lose my voice. They thought it was cancerous at one point but it turned out to be banign. It's literally the best thing that ever happened to me. I now look at life differently. I see the positive and I don't dwell on the negative as much.
UTP: What exactly is your genre?
AS: I cover a lot of sounds: Jazz, R & B, Hip-Hop, Soul, Rock, basically everything and I can even throw reggae in!
UTP: How has the DC metro scene treated you?
AS: You know I used to get more love in Baltimore than DC because DC focused more on Go-Go and I am not Go-Go. I found that a lot of people didn’t want to book me. Mostly Baltimore and Philadelphia were the spots I got the most gigs. At first I was frustrated but if you want what you want you find other ways to get around it. So now I mostly get booked for private events over clubs.
UTP: What are your best memories?
AS: Losing my voice I would have to say. I learn how to really appreciate my gift. I was also able to sing for our President, Mr. Obama, twice. Once right before in he was elected in 08' and again in 09' at the Congressional Black Caucus. I sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.
I got a phone call one day and was asked to sing on the national mall and from there I was invited to go on a USO tour, which I didn’t do, but I did book another gig from that I was able to perform for over 4,000 people with maybe 100 of them being well known celebrities. I was met people face to face and that was glorious. In 09' Cicely Tyson herself, asked to speak with her and we had a conversation for over 30 minutes, it was so special.
UTP: What are some of your worst memories?
AS: I don’t really have that many in terms of music. Frustrations are merely a learning experience. Okay no I remember a worst memory. I auditioned for American Idol; I didn’t learn anything. What you see on TV is total bull. I stood in line for a day, which is what I expected but then you get pushed into a room with judges who aren't Simone and the main judges of the show but random people they have to screen you for image, to see if you have the look basically. It was not positive and I believe that even negative experiences you learn from but that wasn’t one at all.
Check April Sampe's sound Here!
Age:31
Reside: DC metro
Hitting the musical scene as a young teenager, April Sampe shared the stage with 4 other girls in the group Black Diamond at the age of 16. They hit the east coast circuit, performing at such places as the Apollo and various talent shows. Sampe says she was singing before she could even talk though and after paving a path with Black Diamond she branched off and began collaborating with rappers. Her stage name became Queen and if you've ever graced her presence you would understand such a dynamic name for this woman. Demanding the crowds attention, her voice shakes any ones soul with her strong vocals.
UTP: How did your career begin?
April Sampe: After being apart of the all girls group Black Diamond at the age of 18 I began performing as Queen. I featured hooks for rappers and worked with a production company called World Premier Entertainment. I was able to be on TV with a BET show called Sound Stage Concert where I danced, which opened doors, allowing me to sing on the episode. I frequented Crampton auditorium at Howard University. After a near fatal diagnosis I was able to regain my musical stance and received the opportunity to travel with the group Fertile Ground, which after I left them allowed me to get more shows because of former relationship with FG.
UTP: What are some obstacles you've faced as a singer?
AS: In 2004, I was diagnosed with a throat tumor after I stopped breathing in my sleep. I thought I was going to lose my voice. They thought it was cancerous at one point but it turned out to be banign. It's literally the best thing that ever happened to me. I now look at life differently. I see the positive and I don't dwell on the negative as much.
UTP: What exactly is your genre?
AS: I cover a lot of sounds: Jazz, R & B, Hip-Hop, Soul, Rock, basically everything and I can even throw reggae in!
UTP: How has the DC metro scene treated you?
AS: You know I used to get more love in Baltimore than DC because DC focused more on Go-Go and I am not Go-Go. I found that a lot of people didn’t want to book me. Mostly Baltimore and Philadelphia were the spots I got the most gigs. At first I was frustrated but if you want what you want you find other ways to get around it. So now I mostly get booked for private events over clubs.
UTP: What are your best memories?
AS: Losing my voice I would have to say. I learn how to really appreciate my gift. I was also able to sing for our President, Mr. Obama, twice. Once right before in he was elected in 08' and again in 09' at the Congressional Black Caucus. I sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.
I got a phone call one day and was asked to sing on the national mall and from there I was invited to go on a USO tour, which I didn’t do, but I did book another gig from that I was able to perform for over 4,000 people with maybe 100 of them being well known celebrities. I was met people face to face and that was glorious. In 09' Cicely Tyson herself, asked to speak with her and we had a conversation for over 30 minutes, it was so special.
UTP: What are some of your worst memories?
AS: I don’t really have that many in terms of music. Frustrations are merely a learning experience. Okay no I remember a worst memory. I auditioned for American Idol; I didn’t learn anything. What you see on TV is total bull. I stood in line for a day, which is what I expected but then you get pushed into a room with judges who aren't Simone and the main judges of the show but random people they have to screen you for image, to see if you have the look basically. It was not positive and I believe that even negative experiences you learn from but that wasn’t one at all.
Check April Sampe's sound Here!
