Sydney-based Sampa the Great’s Birds and the BEE9 is an intriguing mixtape of Zambian-influenced rap and pop, drawing influences such as Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone.
Birds and the BEE9 expresses what it is to go from ‘a healing to a healer’ in Sampa’s eyes. Opening with ‘Healing’ and closing with ‘Healer’ it seems like the album comes full-circle. The laid-back, traditional tones of the first track are blended with a modern bassline that slowly appetizes the listener. She depicts flowers, birds but also the wounds and physical pains. A lot of her tracks are beautiful, yet she uses them as a way to depict harsh realities.
Sampa The Great’s captivating fusion of soul, jazz and hip-hop is what makes this album so inspiring and original, and marks her as one of the most exciting talents emerging at the moment.
