“I have a cousin called Flirta D who was big in the grime world, which ...” — Sampha Quote

I have a cousin called Flirta D who was big in the grime world, which made me really cool at school. 'Flirta D's your cousin?' 'Yeah, buddy.' 'He must be a millionaire!'

I kind of make music where and when I can, and I guess that's why I collaborate so much.

I like trying to make sounds that are interesting and are a bit weird. I try to make music that captures people's imaginations.

'Can't Get Closer' I originally recorded in about half an hour, just on my bed with a microphone. I actually re-recorded the song with a cleaner vocal take, but I decided to leave the demo version on there, just because I felt that instant where it was created is what captured the most emotion.

I really feel fortunate to have been around then because there have been good and bad years in rock but the best years were '55 to early '61. I got to see Buddy Holly and everybody else.

A buddy of mine made a comment, 'are you afraid to be in the ring?' It's a little nerve-racking to be in there, but I'm not afraid to be in there. I'm more afraid to what I might do to my opponent.

I remember, before I started high school, I was really intrigued by the Buddy Holly/James Dean style of glasses. This was a long, long time before they were sold at every Urban Outfitters.

If drummers are 'anti-solo,' that's up to them. They're musicians, and they can play whatever they want. But my inspirations early on were people like Buddy Rich, seeing him on 'The Tonight Show', or Gene Krupa.