Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Mensah.
Hi Samuel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sure my name is Samuel “Pap” Mensah. I was born in Monrovia, Liberia to Ghanian parents. My parents were missionaries and traveled to Liberia for missions. During their time there I was born and raised there till I was 6 years old. Both of my parents were musically inclined so I would watch my dad play the guitar and sing with my mom who also was a singer. This inspired me at the age of 6 to get into music. I started off playing drums for the church in Liberia at the age of 6 and actually became very good as a young kid. My family ended up getting there visas and we came to the USA. Started out in Brooklyn, New York for a few months and then we moved to Washington DC. This is where I first came in contact with Gogo and I was hooked since a young kid. My family found a church in Hyattsville MD that they would help out with the music for the services. This ended up leading to them being in charge of the music for the services. During this period of time I took and interest in the bass guitar and started practicing under my dad’s instruction. I did this for about 3 months before he let me explore and learn the bass on my own. What was amazing was also during this period I got in a gospel Gogo band called P.O.C. aka Proclaimers of Christ. My skills dramatically improved as this Gospel Gogo band held rehearsals every other day for months. By the time we had our first show we were so sharp and skilled people wondered how we got so good at such a young age. Without this period in my life I don’t think I would of gotten to the skill level I am now. Gogo music helped build the foundation I had started already musically. Being African I loved playing African music. Understanding how to play African music and American music gave me a great advantage as most of my musician friends could play American styles of music but could not play African styles of music. Being versatile with both styles allowed me to approach music with a whole different feel then most of my peers. Eventually I ended up meeting Kashi Tara and Bruce Gardner and joined their band. I’ve been with them for at least 3 years now and love it. I can’t wait to see what else the future holds for us and myself as well. I thank God for the gift and I don’t take it lightly.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Hmm obstacles 😂. So many I can’t say them all on here. I’ve had times where I felt like no matter how much I practiced I wasn’t getting better. This of course was not true but since I couldn’t see the improvement myself I didn’t believe it was happening. I’ve had one of my bass guitars stolen from a show, I’ve had one of my bass guitars dropped on hard gravel rocks and completely damaged, I’ve even been duped financially by people I thought would be trustworthy. So yea it’s been a journey but without the lessons I would have never progressed as a musician and more importantly as a person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So technically I would be considered a AV Engineer. I specialize in amazing sound reinforcement for any type of event. My moto is basically to have simply sweet harmony which is also the name of my business (Simply Sweet Harmony). We don’t believe in sound that is not quality, we don’t believe in noisy feedback, and we don’t believe in not making the clients happy. What sets myself apart from others is the amount of attention to detail and the fact that I make sure the client is completely satisfied from the start to finish.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
That consistency and dedication eventually beats talent any time and any day.
Pricing:
- Bass Lessons $50 an hour
- Bass performance $250 per group 4hr max $50 hr after 4hr max.
- AV/PA Sound pricing depends on need
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmupap?igsh=aXgzN3NlbzhwZDZt&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@pmupap1?si=7gcE-5sq7TMLyi6n
