Singer-songwriter Sammy Johnson has given his fans an early Christmas present in the form of a brand new single “Unconditional” featuring New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Aaradhna on tastemaker label Mensch House Records. The sound comes with a vintage soulful feel on top of Sammy’s own sugary sweet trademark reggae melodies. The song is about two people on a quest to find true love, as they strip down and bare their innermost thoughts in hopes of finding that special someone.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Sammy Johnson shares, “I’ve been vocal about my struggles with mental health, and thankfully, I’m on the mend. This song is me baring my soul, expressing my yearning for unconditional love in my own life.”
Aaradhna added, “I’ve admired Sammy & his musicianship for many years. So it was special for us to be able to come together and make some magic. A song about yearning for true love, something that is hard to find, something that is divinely guided & always on time. A love unconditional.”
Sammy and Aaradhna’s collaboration unfolded effortlessly. “Aaradhna and I have been close friends for a long time and we had been itching to create a record together and this one spoke to her from her own situation and it all came together so easily and naturally. I have always had a huge respect and love for her so to have her join me on this track is a literal dream come true,” said Sammy Johnson in closing.
Australian native, Sammy Johnson (a.k.a Sammy J) embraces his Maori and Polynesian roots to create positive and uplifting music. Blending island reggae, soul, and jazz vibes with heartfelt lyrics, Sammy’s sound is exhilarating and intoxicating. Now based in the U.S., Sammy has seemingly exploded on the market selling out venues across the West Coast and Hawaii. This success can be attributed to his relentless hard work and dedication to his craft.
Sammy Johnson has been waving the flag for the Pacific Island sound and has quickly become a leader in the scene alongside new school artists like J Boog and veterans like Katchafire. The Native-Kiwi-now-Los-Angeles-resident, Sammy J, got his big break via YouTube after his video for “Don’t Say Goodbye” became a viral sensation, racking up over 31,000,000 plays. Sammy, who was working as a social worker at the time, made the decision to pursue music full-time following the newfound popularity of the song that soon became a staple of modern-era Island sound. Not too long after, a Hawaiian-based producer contacted him to work on an album, and he was offered a record deal with Island Empire Records, home to groups like Common Kings, Tenelle, and Fiji.
With his music spreading like wildfire, Johnson said his move to California in 2014 and a musical quest to spread positive vibrations across the country has gone beyond what he could have ever imagined. Sammy J has released two full-length albums, his debut ‘Prelude’ in 2013 and a self-titled album in 2014. In 2016, he returned with a brand new EP entitled ‘Lion Roar’ on Island Empire, which debuted on the Billboard Reggae charts in America. Sammy quickly capitalized on the success by embarking on a sold-out tour across the country with labelmates, Common Kings. With a powerful fan following, Sammy Johnson returned to New Zealand at the tail end of 2016 as one of the headliners of the One Love Music Festival, captivating a crowd of over 15,000 in attendance.
Sammy Johnson is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his now classic debut album ‘Prelude’. The album produced massive hits like “Give Me All,” “Don’t Say Goodbye,” and “Fall in Love” for Sammy, and it has become a streaming juggernaut with nearly 100,000,000 streams.
Sammy Johnson will kick off 2024 playing One Love and the Jammin Australian Reggae Festival.
TOUR DATES:
Jan 27 – Mount Maunganui, New Zealand – One Love Festival
Jan 28 – Mount Maunganui, New Zealand – One Love Festival
Feb 03 – Brisbane, AUS – Jammin Australian Reggae Festival
Feb 04 – Sydney, AUS – Jammin Australian Reggae Festival