Samuel Parra Cruz (born December 2, 1975), known professionally as Samo, is a Mexican pop singer and songwriter, born and raised in

Veracruz Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entit ...

. Samo rose to fame in the late 2000s as a member of the band Camila.

Life and career

1975–2005: Early life and career beginnings

Samo was born in Veracruz. Since age five, Samo was part of the choir of the

Christian Church In ecclesiology, the Christian Church is what different Christian denominations conceive of as being the true body of Christians or the original institution established by Jesus Christ. "Christian Church" has also been used in academia as a syn ...

directed by his father in Boca del Río. In 1993, at 18 years old, he was part of a group called ''Salmo 40'' which toured the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and some Mexican cities. The group did not get the results they expected and in 1995, Samo decided to try his luck in the talent competition "Junior Securities" in Mexico City, being among the first places in the final. In 1998, he was chosen to sing in the choir section Alejandra Guzman which participated in the tour of the discs titled, I and Lipstick.

2005–2009: Camila, ''Todo Cambió'' and compositions

During the recording of '' En la Luna'' by Reyli Barba, Samo met

Mario Domm Mario Alberto Domínguez Zarzar (born 22 January 1977), known as Mario Domm, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and record producer. A founding member of the pop rock band Camila, he has won four Latin Grammy Awards; four ''Billboard'' Awards; ...

. Domm invited him to join forces to create a new project. They began rehearsing with a piano and decided to add a guitarist to the newly created band. Pablo Hurtado, the first one to audition, was selected. The band was named Camila, meaning "close to god", as the "appropriate thanks to the granting of the group's collective dream." The band released in 2006 their début album entitled '' Todo Cambió'', which sold one million copies worldwide and reached number-one in Mexico and the United States. The album yielded six singles, "Abrázame", "Coleccionista de Canciones", "Todo Cambió", "Sólo Para Ti", "Me Da Igual" and "Yo Quiero". Camila received a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year in

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

for the single "Todo Cambió". In 2009, Samo composed the theme "Sin Querer", which was coauthored with Rafael López Arellano, and it was included in the album ''Soy'' from Puerto Rican singer

Ednita Nazario Edna María Nazario Figueroa (born April 11, 1955) is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer who has achieved stardom both at home and abroad. She has been in the music business from a young age and has released twenty-three studio albums, seven live ...

. In the same year, he composed, along with Alfredo León Canedo and Carolina Rosas, the theme "No Puedo" included on the album ''Lo que soy'' from Mexican singer Diego Schoening.

2010-2012: ''Dejarte de Amar'' and collaborations

In 2010, Camila released their second album '' Dejarte de Amar''. ''Dejarte de Amar'' debuted at the top of the charts in Mexico and the United States. In Mexico the album spent eight weeks at number-one and 70 non-consecutive weeks within the top ten. At the Latin Grammy Awards of 2010, the band earned three awards: Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the song " Mientes" and Best Pop Vocal Album by a Group. In 2010, Samo composed the songs "Quiero volar" and "Nunca entendí", included in the debut album '' Almas Transparentes'' of former

RBD RBD was a Mexican Latin pop group that gained popularity from Televisa's telenovela ''Rebelde'' (2004–2006). It was composed of Anahí, Dulce María, Maite Perroni, Alfonso Herrera, Christopher von Uckermann and Christian Chávez. The group ac ...

member Christian Chávez. That same year he coauthored with Rafael Ruiz Esparza the theme "Arrepentida", first single from the album '' Inusual'' from Mexican singer Yuri and the theme "Con Las Manos Atadas", which was chosen as the theme song of the series Mujeres Asesinas of the Mexican producer Pedro Torres. In September 2010, he composed the theme "Llegaste a Mí" from the album ''Tráfico de Sentimientos'' of the singer Camilo Echeverri. In October 2010, he composed with Olga Tañon the songs "Ni una Lágrima Más", "Sola" and "Caso Perdido", included in the album ''Ni una Lágrima Más'' from the Puerto Rican singer, published in 2011. That same year he recorded a duet on the theme "Ni una Lágrima Más" with Olga. In late 2010, he composed with Manuel Moreno and Germán Montero the theme "Tú mi Mundo Yo un Recuerdo" included on the third disc of the singer. In November 2010, he was presented at the "Amigos por Veracruz", playing a theme with singer Yuri. In 2011, he composed the theme "Libertad" performed by

Anahí Anahí Giovanna Puente Portilla (born 14 May 1983), known Mononymous person, mononymously as Anahí, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and actress. In 1986, she started her acting career when she was cast on ''Chiquilladas''. After working on man ...

and Christian Chávez, and the theme "Purple Rain" included in the live album Esencial from the Mexican singer. In March 2012, he interpreted the theme "Tan Sólo Piedo", composed by him and used in the Mexican telenovela

Amor Bravío ''Amor Bravío'' (International title: ''Valiant Love'',) is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carlos Moreno (producer), Carlos Moreno Laguillo for Televisa that aired from March 5, 2012 to October 21, 2012. It is based on ''De pura sangre'' and ' ...

. On March 30, 2012, it launches Enamorada de Ti with the theme " Amor Prohibido" performed by Samo and Selena. The theme ranked 8th in the

Latin Pop Songs The '' Billboard'' Latin pop charts began in 1985 when an album chart were introduced as Latin Pop Albums in the June 29 issue of the magazine. In October 1994, ''Billboard'' then established Latin Pop Airplay, which initially rank the most-played ...

and 23rd on the

Hot Latin Songs The ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Songs (formerly Hot Latin Tracks and Hot Latin 50) is a record chart in the United States for Latin music, Latin songs, published weekly by Billboard (magazine), ''Billboard'' magazine. Since October 2012, chart ranki ...

chart on ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

''. Samo interpreted the theme as a tribute to the singer, for the first time live at the 2012 Latin Billboard Music Awards. In 2012, he interpreted the theme "Sólo por amor", theme song of the American soap opera Relaciones Peligrosas. On November 9, 2012, Mexican singer

Thalía Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda (; born 26 August 1971), known mononymously as Thalía, is a Mexican singer, songwriter and actress. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Latin Pop", she is considered one of the most ...

launched the album "

Habítame Siempre ''Habítame Siempre'' (English: ''Live In Me Always'') is the twelfth studio album by Mexican recording artist Thalía, released on November 19, 2012 by Sony Music Latin. The album consists of 15 tracks, including collaborations with Robbie Willia ...

" including the theme " Con los años que me quedan" which features Samo with Leonel García and Jesús Navarro of Reik.

2013-present: ''Inevitable'' and collaborations

On April 2, 2013, launched "Reik, En Vivo Desde El Auditorio Nacional" with the theme "¿De qué me sirve la vida?" performed by the group Reik and Samo. On May 23, 2013, Samo confirmed his departure from the band Camila and launching his solo career. On May 28, 2013 launched the first single " Sin Ti" composed by him. The theme placed #30

, and at #48 in the Latin Songs in ''

''. On July 16, 2013, Samo launched his debut album Inevitable. The album debuted at #3 on the chart of AMPROFON in

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

. In the U.S., the album was ranked 9th on the

Latin Pop Albums The '' Billboard'' Latin pop charts began in 1985 when an album chart were introduced as Latin Pop Albums in the June 29 issue of the magazine. In October 1994, ''Billboard'' then established Latin Pop Airplay, which initially rank the most-played ...

chart of ''

''. In August 2013 launched the album "En El Camino" of the Mexican band

Pandora In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first human woman created by Hephaestus on the instructions of Zeus. As Hesiod related it, each god cooperated by giving her unique gifts. Her other name—inscribed against her figure on a white-ground '' ky ...

which includes the song, "¿De Qué Me Sirve La Vida?" composed by Samo and features a duet with him. In 2021, it was reported that Samo will appear in ''Sie7e'', a production opening in

Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...

that depicts the

seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins (also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins) function as a grouping of major vices within the teachings of Christianity. In the standard list, the seven deadly sins according to the Catholic Church are pride, greed ...

Discography

As a solo artist

Collaborations

* 2010: "Ni una lágrima más" (with Olga Tañon) * 2012: " Amor Prohibido" (with

Selena Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was an American singer-songwriter. Known as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Tejano Music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most cel ...

) * 2012: " Con Los Años Que Me Quedan" (with

, Leonel García and Jesús Navarro from Reik) * 2013: "¿De Qué Me Sirve La Vida?" (with Reik) * 2013: "¿De Qué Me Sirve La Vida?" (with

) * 2013: " Quiero Amarte" (with Reik, Noel Schajris y

Armando Manzanero Armando Manzanero Canché (7 December 1934 – 28 December 2020) was a Mexican musician, singer, composer, actor and music producer, widely considered the premier Mexican romantic composer of the postwar era and one of the most successful comp ...

) * 2013: "Mi Vida Sin Ti" (with La Oreja de Van Gogh)

With Camila

* '' Todo Cambió'' (2006) * '' Dejarte de Amar'' (2010)

Tours

* Inevitable Tour (2013)

References

External links

Official website

Samo VEVO
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samo 1975 births Living people Singers from Veracruz Mexican male singer-songwriters Mexican singer-songwriters Mexican pop singers Latin music musicians Soul singers Sony Music Latin artists 21st-century Mexican singers 21st-century Mexican male singers