In a New York creative landscape that often prizes niche branding over true artistic exploration, Sammie B stands out simply by refusing to stand still. A musician, producer, DJ, and visual artist, Sammie has just wrapped up her most ambitious endeavor yet: RARA AVIS, a year-long 21-track experience composed of 20 singles released steadily from February through November two per month plus an unreleased bonus track exclusive to her merch bundle.
The project arrives with a full spread of limited-edition RARA AVIS merch: a hoodie, T-shirt, sticker pack, button pack, poster, and the complete project download. But merch aside, RARA AVIS has critics talking for one major reason: authenticity.
Early reviews call it “a dazzling display of pure authenticity” and a “catchy, unique blend of hip-hop and hip-pop threaded with an electric current that keeps the sound vibrant.” The project’s genre mashups feel intentional, fluid, and fearless—an effect that makes more sense once Sammie casually reveals the biggest plot twist of the interview.
When asked who produced the record, she lets out a small laugh, as if realizing she forgot to mention something obvious.
“Oh yeah! I forgot to say that—me!” she giggles. “I made all of the beats, mixed and mastered the records myself as well.”
It’s a moment that captures exactly what RARA AVIS represents: unfiltered creative energy moving through the hands of an artist who refuses to dilute it.
“This project was the energy that needed to come out of me.”
Sammie speaks about the project not as a calculated career move, but as something instinctual.
“I’ve always allowed creative self-expression to be the way I transmute pain,” she explains. “RARA AVIS is me stepping into my power and my quirkiness. It’s everything that wanted to break free.”
That rawness, she explains, comes from the artists who shaped her approach to this project. Sammie cites Tierra Whack, M.I.A., and Missy Elliott as the three giants who opened the door for the version of herself that RARA AVIS reveals.
She laughs when Missy’s name comes up again.
“I know I mention Missy Elliott every time I’m asked about my inspirations,” Sammie says, “but it’s because she’s made, in my opinion, the biggest impact in the game for females. She proved that you can be weird, brilliant, respected, and groundbreaking at the same time.”
When asked why Tierra Whack, and why M.I.A., Sammie lights up.
“Tierra Whack is the biggest inspiration behind this project,” she says. “When Whack World dropped, it was like wow. This is the dopest little project. I loved how each track felt like a snippet, but they captivated you so much that you were hungry for more.”
As for M.I.A., Sammie believes the world still hasn’t fully recognized her.
“M.I.A. is one of the most underrated artists ever,” she says. “People think of ‘Paper Planes’ and stop there. But her KALA and MAYA albums are absolutely epic. I listen to KALA straight through without skipping every time. It puts me in another dimension.”
She pauses before adding:
“That’s what I wanted to do with RARA AVIS—allow listeners to feel like they’ve just arrived on Planet Sammie.”
Welcome to Planet Sammie
At this point, the interviewer asks the obvious question:
“Okay… so what is Planet Sammie?”
Sammie doesn’t hesitate.
“Planet Sammie is the place where all my creative forces live in harmony with each other,” she says. “Nothing has to be excluded and all art forms are encouraged.”
She elaborates:
“I’ve always refused to be put in a box, but I’ve had people in the music industry tell me that because I’m not niche enough, it won’t work. What doesn’t work for me is limiting myself. There are no boundaries to creation, we should be able to make whatever we want.”
The interviewer smiles.
“So Planet Sammie is the combination of multiple music genres, your DJing, your visual art, your merchandise, and whatever else you create?”
Sammie leans back, proud and assured.
“Exactly… and guess what?” She grins.
“It works.”
RARA AVIS: A New World Unlocked
With 21 tracks born entirely from her own hands and mind, RARA AVIS doesn’t just introduce listeners to a project, it introduces them to a universe. It’s eclectic, vibrant, emotionally honest, and unmistakably her.
For fans stepping into Planet Sammie for the first time, one thing is clear: this isn’t a place built for conformity.
It’s built for creation.
And Sammie B is just getting started.