Sam Verlinden

Samuel James Verlinden (born 1 October 1997) also known as Solo Artist Sam V is a New Zealand teen singer and actor. He is best known for his track 'I Just Wanna Love U' which quickly gained a following after famous choreographer Parris Goebel and the ReQuest dance crew surprised Sam with a music video for the song.

Verlinden began posting videos of him singing onto YouTube in 2006. Since then his support has grown significantly and he currently sits at number 20 Most Subscribed Musician in New Zealand. He has reached nearly two million hits on his YouTube page and is gaining the attention of New Zealand media, appearing on national television many times since 2009.

Verlinden participated in the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood in 2008 representing New Zealand. In the junior competition he won six gold and three silver medals, the "Industry Award" and five plaques (for overall Junior Champion of the world).

He performed as a guest artist in Coca Cola Christmas in the Park 2009 to a crowd of 250,000 people - his biggest audience yet. He competed in Parachute's Got Talent competition at the Parachute Festival in Jan 2010 and won runner-up.

On 21 February 2010, a demo for Verlinden's original song "Break These Walls" written by Glenn Medeiros was debuted online.

He often performs at charity gigs and has performed at the annual CanTeen Fundraiser for several years in a row.

Verlinden performed as a debut artist at the annual Parachute Music Festival 2011 with singer Hannah Elley and support band Descend. They won Best Emerging Artist and a spot performing on the Parachute Mainstage.

On 13 April 2013, he released his first single "I Want Ya" which had regular plays on NZ radio stations "Flava" and "Mai FM", as well as leading to many TV appearances.

In early 2016, Sam answered a small unassuming ad to university students, from a fellow student, looking for someone with an original song to help them make a music video. Says Verlinden: "I really wasn't expecting anything other than the chance to work with other students wanting to put themselves out there and give things a try." What he found was the opportunity of a lifetime. Choreographer of the year, Parris Goebel and the ReQuest dance crew, known as the best dance crew in the world, were waiting in the studio ready to collaborate with Sam on his new music video. After its release, the 'I Just Wanna Love U' music video quickly gained the attention of media, radio stations and Spotify who listed the song on their New Music Friday, The Office Mix and Buzz Tracks: Australia and NZ playlists. The opportunity was set up by ANZ bank by creative agency Whybin/TBWA as part of their Fortune Favours the Brave tertiary student campaign. The campaign aims to encourage students, who are at a stage when decisions can define their future, to keep putting their hands up for opportunities.

Verlinden currently lives with his family in Auckland, New Zealand. He is of Rarotongan and Dutch descent. He graduated St Peter's College in 2015 with the honor of Best Musician 2015 and was awarded two scholarships to attend University.His musical influences include Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, The Beatles and The Jackson 5. Verlinden is also well known for his use of melismas (vocal runs, trills) which he often uses during his live performances.