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Sam B is one of the four protagonists of the first Dead Island game from 2011, heavily inspired by pop culture, gangsta rap, voodoo, and has additional southern influence.

The character had a rough upbringing in his hometown of New Orleans, with his mother struggling with a drug addiction after his father died in prison. He stated in game that his “Nanna” was the one who raised him.

He is a rapper who was catapulted to fame after the release of his song “Who do you Voodoo”. After failing to reach that success again he went to the Island resort that the game takes place as a last attempt at fame.

His outfit is heavily inspired by both vodou and gangsta rap, particularly his jacket and stage hat are inspired by a prominent spirit in vodou/voodoo Baron Samedi

Subject Character and Background

Sam B’s in game

appearance

Voiced by

Phil LaMarr

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WHO DO YOU VOODOO

Wearing his stage hat, also

wears this outfit in the

opening of the game

The song contains explicit content and so does

the opening scene of the game that is playing in

the background of the video.

https://youtu.be/hRnUR7fJdaU?si=WafDiWkT_659_AQx

This link has only audio and lyrics if you want to avoid the video.

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The artist behind the song is J7, Josef Lord. He has no relation to New Orleans or Louisiana and mainly took inspiration from his experience with battle rap. His producer Christopher H. Knight also provided guidance while creating the song.
While there is no direct relation to its subject matter, the song still clearly has ties to these topics, especially in gangsta rap, southern hip hop, and voodoo.
Additionally of the main accredited writers and directors I found for the game none of them were Black

Considering the influence directionally and artistically on both the song and

characters are mainly or exclusively from non-black people, it is important to keep this in

mind when examining this character.

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Imitated Sound and Culture

The sound of Sam B’s songs are clearly inspired by rap artists or groups closely related to the gangsta rap genre like N.W.A and especially Chamillionaire when considering both his southern hip hop style as well as the fact that he was featured on another of Sam B’s songs “No Room in Hell”.

Considering the influence directionally and artistically on both the song and

characters are mainly or exclusively from non-black people, whether or not this is cultural appropriation should be considered

Live action depiction of

Sam B in “No Room in

Hell”

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Call and Response

Although it has little direct influence from the culture, call and response remains integral to the lyrics.

The song starts of with the line:

*“Hahaha. You ain't scared... yet. Things that go bump in the night. Me... Sam B... Heh.”

Which offers the first interaction with the audience in the song, to warn them about himself being someone that practices dark magic, which in this case is how they represent voodoo.

“I got a zombie army and you can't harm me Who do you voodoo, B***h? Drink blood like a vampire without warning Who do you voodoo, B***h?”

The chorus frequently calls to the audience, asking them “Who do you voodoo?” while

further describing Sam B and the dark magic his persona has in the song, through

Voodoo.

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Masculinity in hip hop

While southern hip hop is being talked about it is impossible not to mention

the role and trends of women in the space. Adeerya Johnson in her article

on Dirty South Feminism talks about the hyper masculine personas of the

men that hold the power in that space, as well as the sexualization of women

and the importance that black women play in the culture.

Sam B emulates this hyper masculine persona, especially in his music. The supernatural

nature of his persona, through the use of a pop-culture defined idea of voodoo, allows Sam to

fit into the hyper masculinity that can be seen in the space.

The focus of the song is to be as dark and grimy as possible while stylizing it to fit gangsta

rap, without losing the zombie/voodoo theming. Despite the focus being away from women

the social dynamics that were held around this time are still present in the lyrics,

especially with the constant use of “Bitch” and the line:

“Stable of corpse b***hes, I'm a pimp of the dead.”

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Stereotypes

Considering the entirety of Sam B’s design, his music, and his story, it is easy to identify

the character as a stereotype, particularly in relation to gangsta rap.

While the design or creation of aspects of his character may have been done in good faith

he is a reproduction of black culture, especially with his large gold chain, red bandana, lyrics,

and story further contextualizing him as a stereotype

Additionally the voodoo aspects of his character and performance are a pop culture

interpretation of voodoo, further feeding into his stereotype that was formed by

imitating pop culture around rap.

Despite there being very little if no influence on the creation of Sam B and his music

certain aspects of black culture or media still arise, such as the case of call and

response, or the gendered dynamics of rap.

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Cultural Appropriation and Redesigning

Once again acknowledging the lack of

black influence in the creation of Sam B

as well as the stereotypical of his character,

deciding if you think this has breached into

cultural appropriation is important.

Also consider the time of the games

release (2011), would the character’s

design existed if it was created today?

After beginning development in

2014 and changing studios, Dead

Island 2 was released in 2023. The

Game featured Sam B in a mentor

like role, using his experience and

Knowledge to guide the new

Protagonists of the series.

As seen in the picture to the

Left, he received a redesign,

Notably removing his

Red bandana, red shoes

And sagging jeans.

Could this redesign

be due to the chance that a modern audience might find the original design to be offensive or distasteful?

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