FROM busking on the streets to filling concert halls, Sam Tompkins talks about his rise to fame and inspiration behind his debut album.

Ahead of his Bournemouth gig on November 11 at the O2 Academy, Sam spoke to the Daily Echo and revealed one of his latest hits was originally written for a popular American rapper.

Sam is currently touring Europe for his album ‘Hi, My Name Is Insecure’ after starting his career busking in Brighton at 16-years-old.

“Busking, I say, is music in its purest form,” said Sam.

Sam Tompkins at O2 Academy on November 11 (Image: Mitchell Peryer)

He added that it helped his confidence and made him a better performer by ‘winning people over with talent rather than a hook’.

Although the singer soon found viral fame on TikTok and became friends with the likes of Justin Bieber.

Speaking on the inspiration behind his emotional album, Sam said it felt natural to create music that promotes sensitivity and opening up.

“I think your duty to your listeners is to create the most authentic version of yourself through your art, and I think being honest and being vulnerable just happens to be my thing.”

Sam Tompkins at O2 Academy on November 11 (Image: Mitchell Peryer)

Sam said he was also inspired by Eminem’s 2002 film, 8 Mile, which shows the artist enter a rap battle and joke about his own insecurities before his opponent can.

“It's sort of like taking ownership of all my insecurities,” said Sam.

“That's what I want people to take from it, and that's why I've called it that because I don't want anyone to be able to poke holes through me in things that already make me feel a bit insecure.”

Sam said “a problem shared is a problem halved” and hopes his album encourages others to open up.

The artist previously said that one of his songs, Dead to Me, was originally written for another artist before adding it to his own album.

Sam said it was written for Machine Gun Kelly, who was working on an album with Trippie Redd, but decided he liked the song too much to give away and is now a favourite among his fans.

While on tour, Sam said his favourite songs to perform is More Than me, which is the intro to his set, and Someone Else.

His advice to upcoming artists is to stay true to yourself because “there’s only one of you, and that’s your unique selling point”.