On a quiet stage, the audience leans forward, waiting for something different. The lights dim, and then it begins—not the usual sound of drums or talking guitars that African music lovers know so well, but the mellow, sliding voice of a lap steel guitar. The sound swirls like ocean waves, carrying with it both nostalgia and newness. At the center of it all sits Samson Oluwadamilare Akinlolu, better known as Sammy Hawaii Int’l, one of Africa’s rare masters of the instrument.
For many, the lap steel guitar is a distant sound, often associated with Hawaiian melodies or American country music. But for Sammy, it has become a tool of reinvention. Over the past five years, he has carefully carved a place for it within the tapestry of African rhythms, proving that innovation can emerge from the unexpected.
His journey has already linked him with some of the biggest names in African music. From working with UK based Mr Solek to collaborating with Taiwo Omotunde, Adegbodu Twins, Melody Makers Band, African Melody G Band, Ludare and the Music Icon Band, and gospel star Tope Alabi, Sammy has infused his unique sound into songs that reach across borders. On each project, his instrument doesn’t just accompany, it speaks, bends, and weaves itself into the story of the music.
Yet it is not only on stage or in the studio that Sammy’s innovation shines. He is known to improvise even in the simplest of settings, like his widely shared birthday tribute videos, where the lap steel guitar takes familiar songs and turns them into something magical. These performances show how the instrument can bridge the gap between African heritage and modern expression, connecting deeply with listeners.
But Sammy’s dream extends far beyond personal acclaim. In campuses and community halls, he leads workshops and mentoring sessions for young musicians. He sees himself not just as a performer, but as a guide for the next generation of African artists who dare to try something different. His vision is to build a vibrant network of creators who carry tradition but aren’t afraid to experiment with sound.
Now, Sammy is working on what may be his boldest idea yet, a project titled Improvising 20 Christmas Classics with the Lap Steel Guitar. By reimagining songs the world already knows, he hopes to show just how versatile the instrument can be, how it can take holiday melodies and dress them in new African inspired colors.
For Sammy, music is not about staying within the lines. It is about breaking them, redrawing them, and showing others what lies beyond. As he often says, “The Lap Steel Guitar is more than an instrument, it is a bridge between African traditions and modern creativity. My goal is to tell stories that resonate worldwide.”
And so, each time his fingers glide across the strings, Sammy Hawaii Int’l is not just playing notes. He is reshaping the story of African music, one slide at a time.