Sampa the Great has unveiled her sophomore album. The Zambian-born, Australia-based poet and MC will share As Above, So Below on September 9 via Loma Vista.
Following 2019 debut The Return, the 11-song As Above, So Below is said to be born from a time of reconnection and revitalization after the artist returned home to Zambia during the pandemic. As a release explains of the effort's title, "As Above" translates as Sampa's external self, while "So Below" speaks to the internal. These halves combine to reveal the highest version of herself.
Joining Sampa on the record are recent Exclaim! cover star Denzel Curry, Joey Bada$$, Kojey Radical, Angélique Kidjo, James Sakala, W.I.T.C.H, Chef 187, Tio Nason and Mwanjé.
Following the Curry-assisted "Lane," today's news comes accompanied by new single "Never Forget," featuring Zambian MC Chef 187, songwriter Nason and Sampa's sister Mwanjé. The song is said to be an ode to Zamrock, a musical genre born in the '70s combining traditional Zambian music and psychedelic rock.
An accompanying video from director Imraan Christian combines visuals of Sampa and her collaborators with archival footage of Zambian life that decade. You can watch it and revisit the Curry-assisted "Lane" in the players below.
"This tribute was inspired by the band WITCH and their lead singer Mr. Jagari Chanda, who has become one of my musical mentors," Sampa shares of the song in a statement. "I discovered Zamrock later in my life and was surprised that this music was known globally, yet not fully celebrated and acknowledged in Zambia today. It hit home for me as I felt similarities in my own journey, having had my career take off outside my birth country. I thought it was fitting to pay homage to those who came before me and merge past, present, and future through music and imagery; passing the baton from one generation to the next."
As Above, So Below is now available for pre-order.
Debut album The Return won the Australian Music Prize 2019, following a prior 2017 victory for that year's breakthrough mixtape Birds and the BEE9. Sampa the Great is the first musician to have won the award twice.
As Above, So Below:
1. Shadows
2. Lane (feat. Denzel Curry)
3. Never Forget (feat. Chef 187, Tio Nason, Mwanjé)
4. Mask On (feat. Joey Bada$$)
5. BONA
6. Can I Live (feat. W.I.T.C.H)
7. Imposter Syndrome (feat. James Sakala)
8. Tilibobo
9. Lo Rain (feat. Mwanjé)
10. IDGAF (feat. Kojey Radical )
11. Let Me Be Great (feat Angélique Kidjo)
Following 2019 debut The Return, the 11-song As Above, So Below is said to be born from a time of reconnection and revitalization after the artist returned home to Zambia during the pandemic. As a release explains of the effort's title, "As Above" translates as Sampa's external self, while "So Below" speaks to the internal. These halves combine to reveal the highest version of herself.
Joining Sampa on the record are recent Exclaim! cover star Denzel Curry, Joey Bada$$, Kojey Radical, Angélique Kidjo, James Sakala, W.I.T.C.H, Chef 187, Tio Nason and Mwanjé.
Following the Curry-assisted "Lane," today's news comes accompanied by new single "Never Forget," featuring Zambian MC Chef 187, songwriter Nason and Sampa's sister Mwanjé. The song is said to be an ode to Zamrock, a musical genre born in the '70s combining traditional Zambian music and psychedelic rock.
An accompanying video from director Imraan Christian combines visuals of Sampa and her collaborators with archival footage of Zambian life that decade. You can watch it and revisit the Curry-assisted "Lane" in the players below.
"This tribute was inspired by the band WITCH and their lead singer Mr. Jagari Chanda, who has become one of my musical mentors," Sampa shares of the song in a statement. "I discovered Zamrock later in my life and was surprised that this music was known globally, yet not fully celebrated and acknowledged in Zambia today. It hit home for me as I felt similarities in my own journey, having had my career take off outside my birth country. I thought it was fitting to pay homage to those who came before me and merge past, present, and future through music and imagery; passing the baton from one generation to the next."
As Above, So Below is now available for pre-order.
Debut album The Return won the Australian Music Prize 2019, following a prior 2017 victory for that year's breakthrough mixtape Birds and the BEE9. Sampa the Great is the first musician to have won the award twice.
As Above, So Below:
1. Shadows
2. Lane (feat. Denzel Curry)
3. Never Forget (feat. Chef 187, Tio Nason, Mwanjé)
4. Mask On (feat. Joey Bada$$)
5. BONA
6. Can I Live (feat. W.I.T.C.H)
7. Imposter Syndrome (feat. James Sakala)
8. Tilibobo
9. Lo Rain (feat. Mwanjé)
10. IDGAF (feat. Kojey Radical )
11. Let Me Be Great (feat Angélique Kidjo)
