*Sam the Sentient, born Sam Noparstak, was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of 4. At the age of 12, he discovered his gift for writing rap lyrics, which he used as a form of escape. He was so disconnected from his own reality that he delved into a world of his own creation. But when he ran the risk of not being able to graduate high school, he used the same determination that fueled his passion for music, to improve his grades and graduate. Around this time, he became interested in creating his own Hip-Hop music, so he enrolled in the Recording Arts program at Flashpoint Chicago, a campus of Columbia College Hollywood. This gave him the technical skills to create his first mixtape in 2017, and a few EP’s in 2018. After graduating in 2019, he started performing at open mics & other live music events in the local Chicago music scene. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic put that on pause, but he was so determined to continue his creative output that he dropped 13 singles in 2021. Later that year, he re-connected with a legendary Chicago MC named Phenom, whom he met a few years prior. On November 5th, 2021, Sam enrolled in Phenom’s intense 6-month artist development and peace ambassadorship training, which he graduated from on May 5th, 2022. He also received an Emcee Skool re-certification on October 29th, 2022. This relationship has blessed Sam with opportunities to perform at The FireHouse Community Arts Center’s Firefest, The United Center, The Riviera Theatre, The Promontory, Grant Park, & the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Since graduating Emcee Skool, Sam has performed 3 Sofar Sounds gigs in Chicago, won 2nd place at the Chicago Teens in the Park Fest on October 1st 2022, and won 1st place at the “Making the Show Chicago” performance competition, located at the Hairpin Arts Center on January 6th, 2023. He most recently performed 3 Sofar Sounds shows at Birch Road Cellar on January 4th, Artifact Events on February 26th, and Midwest Coast Brewing on March 10th, 2023. Since then, he has performed at Lollapalooza, Fenway Park, & NYC. During this process, Sam has re-focused his purpose, to create and perform music as an outlet for connecting with and sentient beings who love conscious Hip-Hop and support Autism!