Quick Fire 15 is back and we are excited to welcome Indo-African-Canadian Director and Digital Artist Sammy Rawal from Believe Media to the hot seat! 

He has earned international attention for his original, hyper-stylized approach to image-making featuring bold colour, choreography, and innovation with digital techniques for clients including Cardi B, Reebok, Equinox, Converse, and Chanel. As a queer P.O.C. visual artist, Sammy blurs the lines between representations of gender and sexuality in his work. Notable collaborations including projects with Dragonette, Aluna George, Michael Calfan and Hannah Georgas.

Sammy is also a DJ and throws Canada’s largest inclusive dancehall and hip hop party that seeks to create spaces for queer people of colour. He shares the songs that get him dancing around his living room, his first record, and what has got him through lockdown… plus lots more!

1. What bands or artists are you listening to most right now? 

 Amanaz, Ngozi Family, ESG, Fela Kuti, Lous and The Yakuza, SAULT, DRAMA, Budgie, Lazy Flow, Men I Trust.

2. What was the first record you bought? 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Soundtrack.

3. Favourite album cover? 

“Homogenic” by Bjork.

4. What song gets you dancing in your living room? 

"Pick Up” by DJ Koze, “Thinking of You” by Sister Sledge, “Goodas Mi Back Mi Back” by Tony Matterhorn, “Love Yuh Bad” by Popcaan.

5. Favourite music video? 

Depends on the day really... right now loving Wendy Morgan’s video for “Tout est Gore” by Lous and The Yakuza.

6. Favourite movie & soundtrack? 

Got a bunch of favourite movie soundtracks: Lost In Translation, Clueless, Trainspotting, Romeo + Juliet 

7. If you could direct a music video for any artist/band, who would it be? 

FKA Twigs or Massive Attack.

8. Film director idol? 

Tarsem Singh, Jodorowsky, Floria Sigismondi.

9. What's your go-to Karaoke song? 

“My Neck, My Back” by Khia .

10. What can’t you live without? 

Really good wifi.

11. What are you watching at the moment? 

Pose, Legendary, and History’s Greatest Mysteries.

12. What are you reading at the moment? 

Keith Haring’s "Journals", and “Confessions of a Video Vixen” by Karrine Steffans.

13. Greatest influence on your career? 

I think my biggest influences have been my obsessions with street dance, fashion and music.

14. What has got you through lockdown? 

Edibles and yoga.

15. Anything you want to tell us about? 

Along with directing, I also DJ...I throw a queer hip hop/dancehall party in Toronto called “Yes Yes Y’all”.

Thanks Sammy!