Artist info

Genre

Hip Hop

Sounds like

Lauryn Hill, Damian Marley

Influences

Lauryn Hill, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley,Erykay Badu,Kendrick Lamar,Nas,Thandiswa Mazwai

Website

www.wondercoreisland.com/sampa-the-great

Bio

From a young age she was influenced by how greatly music inspired people around her, changing their lives, circumstances and perspectives. She quickly understood that music was a language of soul.

Featured Artist

2015

30

Nov

Sampa The Great

Sydney, NSW

Probably the most aptly named artist on triple j Unearthed, Sampa The Great has absolutely floored us with tracks from her debut mixtape as well as her outstanding live show. As the winner of our The Plot competition, she'll be taking that outstanding live show to the Atomic stage of The Plot festival in Parramatta on Saturday December 5.

Read Interview

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I grew up in a musical family, from a young age music was all around me. Traditional Zambian music was prominent in my household.  I started out writing songs, my first song was written when my parent forgot to pick me up in primary school. From then on it steam rolled into slam poetry and then hip hop culture.
 
Being inspired by different artists from Tupac to Lauryn Hil, Mos def, Knaan, and so on, grew me in hip hop but I still managed to keep African essence and originality to make it my own.
 
Whats your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
It's therapy really, perhaps one of the greatest is inspiring other people, if I can do that I’ve fulfilled my purpose.
 
You’re the winner of our The Plot comp. What can punters at The Plot in Sydney expect from your live show?
A lot of energy, dancing and hopefully inspiration.
 
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
New Venusians – Keep Running
 
You’re the D at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
 
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
It was a Soul of Sydney vibe, to compensate for Soulfest. It was dope!
 
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you?
Ines, the first female vocalist to inspire me in Aussie. Alice and Billy Green, Shazza T, Natalie Slade and Jayo of Yum Yum. New Venusians, Wallace, Hau, Lord St. Collective, and too many others.
The togetherness of all these musicians and many more, even producers. Owen Moyo. They have an eagerness to work together, to share music freely, no cliques, just for the love of music. And of course my brother David Godriguez, producer of The Great Mixtape.
 
What are your plans for 2016?
Grow more musically. Challenge myself to do things I’m not quite comfortable in or haven’t delved into. Inspire not only people in Australia and back home but the world. Crossing borders and sharing love.
 

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Unearthed in 2015

The Plot

04 Oct 2015

Winner

Sampa The Great

Sampa The Great

Sampa The Great wins The Plot competition!

She'll drop Western Sydney raps in Parramatta later in the year.
More

Review

Female

Sampa The Great

Play now Add to Listening Queue Download now"
Review by Gemma Pike Gemma Pike

06 Oct 2015

Triple J
45

And not just this song, I've been loving your whole mixtape.

And not just this song, I've been loving your whole mixtape.

Review

Female

Sampa The Great

Play now Add to Listening Queue Download now"
Review by Celline Narinli Celline Narinli

21 Sep 2015

Triple J
50

Dayyym! Such a solid tune & the production is gold.

Dayyym! Such a solid tune & the production is gold.

Review

Female

Sampa The Great

Play now Add to Listening Queue Download now"
Review by Lewis Hobba Lewis Hobba

17 Sep 2015

Triple J
45

This is outta control. I just listened 3 times and I'll be doing it again. Love the muddy keys and that powerful and smooth voice. I'm off to listen one more time.

This is outta control. I just listened 3 times and I'll be doing it again. Love the muddy keys and that powerful and smooth voice. I'm off to listen one more time.

More Reviews