Rising Stars: Meet Samuel of National

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel.

Hi Samuel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my journey at 17, in high school, at a moment when life forced a redirection. After becoming ineligible to play basketball, I found myself spending time in the drum rooms — first out of curiosity, then out of necessity. Those rooms became my sanctuary. I practiced before school, during lunch, after class — any moment I could. That discipline opened doors: I joined my school’s jazz bands, performed with the show choirs, and soon after became part of my church band, where I really began developing my sound.

When it was time for university, I pursued a Human Behaviour degree in the Faculty of Science while continuing to build my craft on the side. Between studying and rehearsing, I kept my commitment to church and to growing as a musician. My first major break came at 19, when a local artist invited me to travel and perform during an international music week in the city. That experience pulled me into my city’s professional music scene and gave me my first real glimpse of what a career in music could become.

In 2020, I launched UnderGround Live TV, a platform dedicated to providing independent artists with live bands, live show production, and performance opportunities. What began as a grassroots vision has since grown into a recognized creative force, featured across platforms including the Juno Awards, CBC Music Live, Toronto Jazz Fest, Citytv, and CHCH TV.

Today, I’m continuing to expand both my artistry and my impact as a music director and creative leader — refining my sound, building live experiences, and elevating the culture around me.

Right now, I’m focused on putting together my first full live concert experience, featuring some of the best R&B and rap artists in my city — a curated showcase that reflects not just where I am as a musician, but the standard I’m building for live performance and culture moving forward.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road.

It has been a process of proving myself and building trust in every new room I entered. The challenges have shifted my focus into building structure, credibility, and real live production from the ground up.

Every struggle has shaped how I move today—more focused, more intentional, and more committed to building experiences at a high level.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I’m most proud of is that my passion has grown into a vehicle that has created real opportunity—not just for me, but for my team and the artists we work with.

What started as an idea has become UnderGround Live TV, a platform that has opened doors we didn’t originally imagine possible—taking us into new spaces, stages, and professional opportunities through consistency and execution.

I’m proud that it’s created momentum for others, helping independent artists access live performance experiences and higher-level production. That impact has also been recognized across platforms like the Juno Awards, CBC Music Live, and Toronto Jazz Fest.

At the core, I’m proud that what started as passion has become a working system that moves people forward.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising most people might not know about me is that my foundation isn’t only music-focused—I actually pursued a Human Behaviour degree in the Faculty of Science while building my career as a drummer and music director.

So while people see the performance side, the leadership, and the live shows, a lot of my approach is shaped by understanding people—how they think, respond, move under pressure, and work in teams.

That’s part of what influences how I direct bands, structure rehearsals, and build live experiences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoovelunguana_/
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/undergroundlive_tv/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@undergroundlivetv8730
• Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/@CountInPodcastUGLTV