Given her complete obscurity just over a month ago, the rise of Sampa the Great has been spectacular to watch. A young woman hailing from Africa and based in Sydney, she has set about making music that artfully combines her natural style and energy with thought-provoking, socially-conscious themes. Equal parts artist and activist, she views music as the language of the soul, transcending borders and acting as an agent for positive change.
Born in Zambia and raised in Botswana, Sampa Tembo found a love for hip-hop at an early age, carrying it with her as she travelled and studied. Her upbringing and life experience inform her lyrics, which cover political and societal imbalances in a meaningful way, tackling heavy themes with a light touch.
It’s a quality that runs through her recent debut release The Great Mixtape, produced by fellow Sydney-sider Godriguez. Rather than using his work merely as a soapbox, Sampa delicately entwines her poetry through each beat, playfully switching styles to ensure it engages you on every level.
Listen back to Mystic Brew with Mike Gurrieri, for a live set from Sampa the Great.
