Private Project

SAMSON: Obsessed

In a Luton bedroom-turned-studio, a young British-Nigerian artist named SAMSON crafts beats that bridge three continents and multiple generations. This intimate documentary explores the evolution of an artist caught between cultural expectations and creative calling, as he forges his path through music and faith.

The story begins in SAMSON's childhood home, where his father's turntable spins an eclectic mix of Motown classics and Fela Kuti's revolutionary Afrobeat. These early soundscapes plant the seeds of his musical journey, later cross-pollinated by Joey Badass's conscious rap and Tyler, The Creator's boundary-pushing artistry during his teenage years.

But SAMSON's story transcends mere musical influence. As a first-born son in a traditional Nigerian Christian household, he faces the weight of cultural expectations pushing him toward conventional success. Instead of conforming to the prescribed path of a stable 9-to-5 career, he makes an unprecedented choice: pursuing both seminary studies and hip-hop artistry simultaneously.

Through intimate verité footage and layered soundscapes, we witness SAMSON's metamorphosis from a young man struggling to fit in, to an artist who embraces his unique position at the crossroads of British, Nigerian, and hip-hop culture. His music becomes a vehicle for storytelling that speaks to the complexity of the first-generation immigrant experience. At the same time, his journey challenges preconceptions about the relationship between faith and artistic expression.

"SAMSON: Obsessed" is more than a music documentary – it's a meditation on cultural inheritance, a spiritual calling, and the courage to forge an authentic path in the face of societal pressures. SAMSON's story explores universal themes of identity, belonging, and the powerful way music can bridge seemingly contradictory worlds.

  • Chester Larnyo
    Director
  • Samson Makinde
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    BLACK MAGIC RAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director - Chester Larnyo