AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
I so clearly remember first watching Zambian-born rapper Sampa the Great in her music video for ENERGY three years ago—I was absolutely blown away by her unique sound, mesmerizing presence, style, and point of view, and I’ve been following her musical journey ever since. Her sophomore studio album AS ABOVE, SO BELOW just dropped today and it’s a must-listen. The 11-track record features guest appearances from artists like Angélique Kidjo, Denzel Curry, Joey Bada$$, W.I.T.C.H, and Sampa’s sister Mwanjé, just to name a few. It’s a personal project that aims to explore womanhood, and the artist’s idea of her most authentic self, intertwined with her memories of Africa. The musical style reflects the hybridity of Sampa’s upbringing—she was born in Zambia and raised in Botswana before relocating to various places such as Australia and California. This album also pays tribute to Zamrock, a blend of psychedelic rock and traditional Zambian music. If you haven’t already checked out Sampa the Great’s music, make sure you stream this weekend!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
