Samm Henshaw

Samm Henshaw is an English R&B singer/songwriter whose powerful voice and organic retro-soul approach earned him a major-label contract and endorsements from artists like James Bay and Chance the Rapper. Following a pair of EPs in 2015 and 2016, he found more widespread success with singles like 2018′s “Broke,” 2019′s uplifting “Church,” and 2021′s ebullient “Chicken Wings.”
A first-generation Londoner, he was born Iniabasi Samuel Henshaw to Nigerian parents. Although no one else in his family played an instrument, Henshaw began to nurture his musical talents at the church where his father was a pastor. He went on to study popular music at Solent University in Southampton where, during his last year, he landed a publishing deal with BMG. By 2015, he’d signed with Columbia and made his debut later that year with The Sound Experiment EP. Both Chance the Rapper and James Bay handpicked Henshaw to support them on tour, after which he headed back into the studio to record his 2016 follow-up, The Sound Experiment 2. Henshaw returned in 2018 with a trio of singles including “Broke” and “How Does It Feel,” which featured a harder-hitting, beat-heavy sound. His success continued in 2019 with the catchy, gospel-infused “Church,” which featured American hip-hop duo EarthGang. The gritty soul single “The World Is Mine” appeared later that year. He teamed up with hip-hop production duo Brasstracks in 2020 for the life-affirming “Change for Me,” and in 2021 he issued a string of singles, including “Still Broke” (feat. Keyon Harrold) and the hook-laden “Chicken Wings.” ~ Timothy Monger