Today we’d like to introduce you to VA Sam.
Hi VA , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been obsessed with music for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I’d spend hours breaking down songs, studying artists, and trying to figure out what made certain records timeless. I played drums in a band growing up, but when I switched school districts in high school, sports became my focus. Even then, I couldn’t stay away from music I found myself drawn into studios, curious about the process and how records were really made.
After graduation, I earned a full football scholarship to Troy University. Being a full-time student-athlete didn’t leave room for a regular job, so my side hustle became music. I sold beats, worked in a local studio where music students interned, and dove headfirst into audio engineering. That’s where my career truly began. By my freshman year, I had already launched my first brand, E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group.
Looking back, I think my biggest advantage was clarity. I knew very early what I wanted my life to be about, and once I committed, there was no Plan B. When my time in sports came to an end, I doubled down on music. In 2013, I officially established my business back home in Virginia, and I’ve been building ever since.
Today, I bring that same discipline from athletics and apply it to every session: sharp, focused, intentional. I built my career by blending the warmth of analog with the precision of digital, and I approach every record like an architect laying a foundation with structure, feel, and finality. My goal has always been the same: elevate the music without ever compromising its emotion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The reality is, none of this was ever easy. But what kept me in it was my drive and my passion for the art itself that’s what made it possible to keep going. There have always been ups and downs, and there always will be. It’s cost me a lot, but it’s also protected me in ways and given me lessons that shaped who I am today. Through music, I learned how to be a better businessman, how to stay disciplined, how to sacrifice, and how to stay down for the things I believe in.
Early on, people thought I was crazy for the way I invested in myself buying gear, spending money I didn’t really have, putting everything on the line. But I knew it was my vision, not theirs. And years later, when things started coming together, those same people finally began to see what I was building. Over time, I’ve invested well over $200k into this path, passed on early relationships, and sacrificed a lot of comfort to stay true to the bigger picture.
But the hardest part wasn’t the money or even the relationships it was losing some of my closest friends. A few of them were part of my brand from the very beginning, and they’re no longer here because of the streets and violence. That pain gave me a deeper appreciation of my purpose. Even with them gone, they’re still a part of what I do. They’re embedded in my brand, in my wins, and in my drive. Every time I succeed, it feels like I’m carrying them with me like I’m winning for them too.
We’ve been impressed with E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Founded in 2010, E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group was born out of a vision not just to make music, but to shape a movement. What started as a modest setup in Virginia quickly evolved into a powerhouse for independent artistry, rooted in excellence, hustle, and heart.
Built by creatives for creatives, we’ve spent over a decade refining our sound, building infrastructure, and cultivating a space where raw talent transforms into timeless legacy. Through years of consistent growth, we’ve expanded our reach and resources from analog hybrid mastering and elite vocal production to business strategy and artist development through our strategic brand partners. We’ve helped emerging voices find their sound, guided seasoned artists into new levels, and laid the foundation for careers built to last.
Today, E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group stands not just as a studio, but as a symbol of ownership, of quality, and of what’s possible when music meets mission. And we’re just getting started. Our future is focused on scaling our impact: launching national training programs, investing in multimedia expansion, developing next-gen engineers and producers, and building a global ecosystem where every creator who walks through our doors leaves with more than just a record they leave with direction. This isn’t just about today’s sound. We’re building a future where independent artists thrive on their own terms.
How do you think about happiness?
I’d consider myself a solid dude. I respect rules, boundaries, and people that’s just how I was raised. But ever since I was a kid, I’ve always put my mental freedom first. To me, that’s what’s kept me physically free too. I’ve never been the type to move off what “they” say or what society expects if I feel it, I’m gonna do it. That’s always been my way.
Money is cool, but that’s not what makes me happiest. What really does it for me is freedom. Waking up every day and not caring what day it is because I built a life where every day feels like the weekend. That’s always been the goal. To wake up on my own time, do what I love, and live by my own rules. That’s real happiness to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emgofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vasamxemg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vasamxemg/
- Twitter: https://x.com/vasamxemg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vasamxemg
