SAMPA THE GREAT

returns with new single & video

“ENERGY” feat. NADEEM DIN-GABISI

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BUY / STREAM HERE

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Zambian-born, Botswana-raised and now Melbourne-based artist Sampa the Great today unveils her new single “Energy” featuring Nadeem Din-Gabisi, marking a powerful transition in sound and her first new release since the AMP-award winning mixtape Birds and the BEE9.

Co-produced by Rahki (Kendrick Lamar) and long-time collaborator Silentjay, “Energy” warms the body with hypnotic chants above a low bass rhythm before unleashing Sampa’s unmistakable rhymes. Inspired by her experience among others as a Zambian-born woman, Sampa’s empowering words explore the imbalances of our world between reflections on limitations and strength. Spoken word from Nadeem Din Gabisi of London collective Steamdown, echoes her sentiments, which culminate in a defined statement, “the birds and the bees ain’t got nothing on me.”

Premiered on Beats 1 with Zane Lowe and OkayAfrica, the single arrives with a visual partner to complete a picture painted with raw lyricism, earthy chants and a sound where neo-soul and hip hop collide. The video’s director Modu Sesay, describes the concept as “an ode to feminine energy, which is essential to all of our existence and the source of life”. It was produced by London based company Plus One, which is formed of various creatives whose aim was to bring as many women and people of colour into the crew and casting as possible. When making this song, there was a conscious decision to highlight balancing both masculine and feminine aspects of all our energy, regardless of gender.

A note from Sampa:

“This year taught me a lot about the balancing of self. In the process of recording and writing Birds And The BEE9, it became apparent that a lot around me – including myself – was very unbalanced. To be in constant defence of myself, my community and my expression was unhealthy. A lot of people around me deal with the same things I do, so it’s no surprise that the world around us is so unbalanced. We need to constantly replenish both the masculine and feminine aspects of our energy. This song and visual symbolises finding this balance, thanking those who have supported this journey so far and bridging the gap between BBEE9 and the new music to come in 2019.”

Sampa the Great’s influence continues to grow alongside her wealth of achievements, now including this year’s nominations for Australian Music Video of the Year and Double J Artist of the Year in the J Awards, and Best Victorian Album, Best Solo Artist and Best Female Musician at the The Age Music Victoria Awards. A seasoned live performer across headline and festival shows, Sampa has spent the year celebrating the soaring acclaim from her mixtape Birds and the BEE9 touring locally and internationally with The BEE9 Experience, while continuing collaborations with friends including REMI & Raiza Biza on their latest EP Black Hole Sun. Set to return home to Zambia to continue work on her debut album, the multi-disciplinary artist returns with “Energy”, promising plenty more music to come.

“ENERGY” IS OUT TODAY
BUY / STREAM HERE

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SUMMER FESTIVAL DATES

Saturday December 1 – Fairgrounds Festival
Saturday December 8 – Pleasure Garden
Saturday December 8 – Meredith Music Festival
Sunday December 30 – Origin Fields
Monday December 31 – NYE on the Hill
Friday February 1 – Zoo Twilights, Melbourne Zoo
Saturday 16 February – Grampians Music Festival

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Follow SAMPA THE GREAT
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