Live Review: Seek balance and 'Energy' with Sampa the Great's new single
Sampa the Great is back and at her absolute best with her new single and video for 'Energy', a stunning ode to feminine energy, balance and identity.
Zambian-born, Botswana-raised and currently Melbourne-based producer/rapper/artist SAMPA THE GREAT is back with brand new single 'Energy'. Produced by Rahki and Silentjay and featuring spoken word from Nadeem Din Gabisi of Steamdown, it drops alongside a gorgeous video directed by Modu Sesay and sees Sampa bringing her production and flow to new heights while exploring balance and feminine energy alongside her Zambian and Botswanan roots
Look no further than her landmark mixtape BEE9 BIRDS AND THE BEE to see what Sampa the Great is all about. Showcasing a blend of neo-soul, hip-hop and elements of Zambian and Botswanan music, Sampa exudes overwhelming confidence through impeccable flow and impeccable production. 'Energy' is her most ambitious track yet; according to Sampa it arose from a period of self-reflection. "“This year taught me a lot about the balancing of self. 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.”
'Energy' is Sampa the Great at her absolute best. Crisp percussion and a booming bassline create old-school hip-hop minimalism while layered saxophone hooks give the track a jazzy feel. Meanwhile Sampa's flow is on point, speaking of finding a balance within feminine energy. The track moves between pairing back elements to give Sampa the spotlight, and letting the listener bath in the intoxicating groove built up with layers of sax, chanting and samples.
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The video for 'Energy' brings the track to life in a stunning way, portraying what director Modu Sesay says is “an ode to feminine energy, which is essential to all of our existence and the source of life." With a focus on bringing as many women/people of colour to the spotlight as possible, the video lives and breathes confidence and identity, and the balance between masculine and feminine energy that exists in all things. There's some stunning shots ranging from Sampa performing the song on a beach, and various closeups that focus on unique aspects of their cultural identity, such as clothes, makeup and hair.
It's been a long time coming, but the next phase of Sampa the Great is finally here, and if 'Energy' is anything to go by, it's going to be absolutely amazing. Keep an eye out for more things to come in 2019 - but in the meantime, you can catch the dates for her summer festival dates below.
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
Photo by Harry Deadman
Words by MAX LEWIS
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