DJ Dilly C and Sammi Wanna Dance!

This week’s Whiz Kids

Names: Samantha Comparone and Dylan Cataldo

Ages: Samantha, 16; Dylan, 15

School: Narragansett High School

Accomplishment: In November, this musically talented duo formed their own group called DJ Dilly C and Sammi.  They have produced an awesome single called “I Wanna Dance” and are wowing local crowds with their performances.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: Sophomore Samantha (Sam) Comparone and freshman Dylan Cataldo are not only great friends, the two both have an exceptional gift of music and have combined their amazing talents so they can share their love of awesome hip-hop dance tunes in addition to ballads and more with others.

The two have been fostering their interest in music since their early childhood days.

Sam credits her grandmother for encouraging her to sing. 

“I have been interested in music ever since I was young. I was surrounded by great singers in my family like my grandmother. She would have me sing at parties and family gatherings and she basically nurtured my talent, turning me into the singer I am today. I played the recorder in fourth grade, but right now I am currently teaching myself how to play the piano because I think that is such a beautiful instrument.”

Dylan also thanks his grandmother for taking to the piano at such a young age.

“I have been interested in music since I was little when I would listen to the same songs over and over again and sing them. I have been playing the piano since before I knew the alphabet, but when I was about 6, I really got started when I showed an interest in my grandma's piano which is now at my house for me to practice on.”

The idea to form a duo came last fall when Dylan showed Sam some songs he produced. She wanted to sing some of them, so they came up with lyrics and they did some recording. 

Sam adds, “We wanted to prove that normal high school kids can have their music heard.”  

Soon after they started recording together, they decided to call themselves DJ Dilly C and Sammi.

Creating and sharing their music is a true passion. 

“I love sharing the type of music I create because I put so much feeling into each song I write so people can relate to it,” Dylan said. “Mostly we reach anyone from teens to even adults especially with our song, ‘I Wanna Dance,’ which anyone can relate to because of the stress of everyday life. I always write depending on the way I feel. If I am sad the track is sad but if I am happy the track is happy.”

Sam adds that their music is mostly dance and hip-hop, but they are planning to do some ballads as well.

“We do write our own songs.  I do most of the writing, and Dylan basically makes the music since he is a DJ. If we are performing live, then he plays the song on piano. Dylan usually writes the dance music because it gets the audience feeling good about themselves, and he tries to make the beats very infectious like you would hear with most European Dance.”  

Dylan said, “There will be times where it’s maybe a ballad instead of a fast-paced song, especially when I am experimenting with different sounds that I like to put together so that way I am not just restricted with dance. I also like to maybe clash genres by using ambient sounds such as pad to set the mood or even guitars.”

Many that know Dylan are in awe of his keen ability to play the piano.  He won several talent shows at the Pier School for playing songs he has written himself and has performed at NHS as well. 

Sam is involved in chorus at NHS, as well as for the last six years at school. She has also and sang at the FFA State Banquet.

As far as musical careers go, Dylan hopes to go to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and perhaps major in film composing and Electronic Music Design, which would help him become a better producer. 

Sam isn’t thinking music at this point, and leaning more toward law with a minor in music.

This ambitious duo is working on making some of their dreams come true and not just sitting around waiting for them to happen. Dylan wants other kids to know that you can do literally anything you want but sitting around and dreaming about it might not be enough.

“Sam and I post our songs on YouTube so we reach a wider audience to enjoy our songs,” he said. “Also, we hope to make an album soon and maybe a couple of music videos.”

Sam adds, “We are just trying to have fun and make music because it is a passion for the both of us. We want people to feel inspired and happy when listening to our music, especially after a bad day, and hope that it makes them feel better!”

You can catch DJ Dilly C and Sammi at their next gig, which will be held on Saturday, May 21 at Java Madness. Check out their Facebook page as well for more updates about upcoming performances and the release of their first CD.

Do you have a recommendation for an upcoming Whiz Kid feature?  We know there are many awesome kids in Narragansett that have done something notable.  If you’d like to nominate an individual or a group, please e-mail me at CB091987@aol.com.

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