POWER, PLEASURE

KENDRICK SAMPSON can’t help but keep it real — and then dig a little deeper. Fresh off stepping into the orbit of the legendary music producer Quincy Jones (casual), whom he’s portraying in the Michael Jackson biopic simply named Michael, Sampson is in a reflective and razor-sharp mood. From his enduring love for the king of pop to his unwavering stance on truth and purpose, this isn’t your average celebrity soundbite. Consider it a little wisdom, a little fire, and a healthy appetite for revolution.

Left Glasses **Oliver Peoples**, jewellery **Miansai**, watch **Omega**
Right Jacket, shirt and pants **Casablanca**, jewellery **Miansai**

Playing Quincy Jones taught me…

What’s yours is yours. From behind the scenes of meeting him years before, and the job coming through someone close to me, Leigh Jonte [Michael’s casting associate], whom I came up with, to him saying, “You always have to leave enough space for God to walk through the room.” I’m more grounded than ever in knowing what’s for me is for me – no one will change that.

My favourite Quincy-produced song at the moment…

The Streetbeater right now, the Sanford & Son Theme song seems to fit 2026. However, I’ll take Home and Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News from The Wiz and mash 'em up in there with The Streetbeater for the twilight zone of ’26!

Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

I first fell in love with Michael Jackson’s work…

In The Wiz. It had a special effect on me as a kid. I wanted to watch it over and over again.

An MJ song that always puts me in a good mood…

Baby Be Mine.

A life story I would love to tell on the screen next…

Prince. Mickey Leland.

Left Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Jacket **Celine Homme**, tank top **Uniqlo**, pants **Tom Ford**, sunglasses **Oliver Peoples**, jewellery **Miansai**

What keeps me going is…

Black culture – the art, the stories, the rhythm, the flavour, the ability to turn any scraps into something powerful and pleasurable always gives me the motivation I need. I get to meditate on that and know that my purpose is connected to building that power and pleasure for my people.

I always trust the advice of…

God – and I don’t always know how to figure out what God is saying, so I don’t always trust the advice of anyone. I always do my best to be present so I can understand how to detect the truth in any situation.

I think that the most underrated quality is…

Truth. And right now, with the rise of AI and new technologies, people are becoming increasingly dependent on it in ways that are starting to dull a critical skill: the ability to discern what’s real and what isn’t.

Being able to identify the truth, to speak it clearly, and to stand in it, even within yourself, is a skill. It shapes how you think, how you communicate, and how you move through the world. And beyond that, there’s power in being able to recognise your own truth, to feel it, and to express it honestly.

A lot of people don’t treat that as something you have to actively develop. But it is. And now more than ever, it matters.

I’m an expert at…

Culture, creativity and community building.

Left Tank top **Thom Browne**
Right Jacket **Celine Homme**, tank top **Uniqlo**, sunglasses **Oliver Peoples**, jewellery **Miansai**

I want to learn how to…

Build and love better.

The best way for me to chill is…

Good breath. I can breathe good, if I get my work done, the air is clean, and I have some good food, good music, libations and good people.

I can’t get enough of…

Art, freedom and love.

You will not change my mind about…

Black Power.

This summer, I’m planning to…

From Juneteenth to Black August – I’m gonna Toni Cade Bambara: “The job of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” I plan to do just that, groovin’ on the graves of these devils who are driving this evil movement to harm and control the people of and from the Global South.