Sampa the Great

Early life

Sampa Tembo was born in 1993 in Ndola, Zambia as the middle of five children. She received both piano and singing lessons and started writing poems/lyrics from the age of nine. While in San Francisco she recorded two tracks.

Tembo moved to Sydney in 2013 and was based there until 2018, she completed a bachelor's degree in audio engineering at SAE Institute in 2015. The artist acknowledges her family and communities in both Botswana and Zambia as the foundation of her success. Sampa the Great (right) performing at Haldern Pop, Germany in August 2018.

Music career 2015–2016: Early years Sampa the Great was featured on the second single, "Beauty" (September 2015), by future soul singer-songwriter Wallace ( Wallace Gollan). The rapper's debut mixtape, The Great Mixtape, was released as a free download on 16 October 2015, and later on CD and vinyl by Melbourne label Wondercore Island. It was produced by Sydney-based Dave Rodriguez ( Godriguez). On 18 December a mixtape track, "F E M A L E", was released as a single. The track was co-written by Tembo with D Rodrguez-Lovibond.

On 19 January 2016 Sampa the Great released a standalone single, "Black Dignity". Two days later another standalone single, "Blue Boss", was issued. The rapper featured on the track "Second Heartbeat" alongside Okenyo, for Urthboy's fifth studio album, The Past Beats Inside Me Like a Second Heartbeat (March 2016). Another two standalone singles followed, "24" and "Blessings", released together on 25 May. On 6 October she issued a music video, "HERoes (The Call)". On 27 October a related music video, "HERoes (The Response)", was released.

2017–2018: HERoes Act 2 to Birds and the Bee9

On 28 April 2017 Sampa the Great released a single, "Everybody's Hero" featuring British singer Estelle. Her debut extended play, HERoes Act 2 was the issued on 12 May.

Sampa the Great issued a second mixtape, Birds and the Bee9 (10 November 2017), which "crosses hip-hop, soul, jazz, gospel and reggae", It was produced by Sensible J, Silentjay and Kwesi Darko. The track "Casper" contained guest vocals from Syreneyiscreamy, the track "Inner Voice" contained guest vocals from Mwanje Tembo, and the track "Healer" contained guest vocals from Zaachariaha. The mixtape won the Australian Music Prize in March 2018, which includes AUD$30000 from Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA), with their CEO Dan Rosen hoping it, "will assist in developing [her] career and help take her music to the world." She hoped to use the prizemoney to fund her own home studio. On 3 October the single, "Rhymes to the East", was released. On 17 October, the single "Bye River" was released. On 20 October, she featured on the track "Your Orbit" by Ecca Vandal, on her eponymous debut album Ecca Vandal. On 5 April 2018 a music video, "Black Girl Magik" featuring Nicole Gumbe, was issued. On 23 April the rapper was featured in the music video, "Your Orbit" by Ecca Vandal.

2018–2020: The Return

On 29 November 2018 the artist released her single, "Energy" featuring Nadeem Din-Gabisi along with an accompanying music video. She intended to release her debut studio album later that year: however, it was delayed. Her debut album, The Return, was released on 13 September 2019 via Ninja Tune. In October 2019 she was listed at No. 2 on Happy Mags "The 15 Australian Female Artists Changing the Game Right Now."

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019 Sampa the Great was nominated in two categories: Best Video (directed by Sanjay De Silva) and Best Hip Hop Release for "Final Form". Upon winning Best Hip Hop Release the artist was "snubbed" by ARIA when the TV broadcast switched to a commercial rather than show her acceptance speech. As the first female person of colour to win a hip hop category the move exemplified systemic racism in the industry.

On 23 September 2020 the singer released "Better Days" with Baker Boy and Dallas Woods. The artist was nominated in six categories at the 2020 ARIA Music Awards, held in November, and won three: Best Hip Hop Release, Best Female Artist and Best Independent Release for The Return. She also performed at the 2020 ceremony through a video-link to Botswana and delivered "a strong statement" on "lack of diversity of the Australian music industry" and specifically took aim at the ARIA board for her snubbing in the previous year.

2021–present: As Above, So Below

In November 2021, Sampa the Great confirmed new music would arrive early in the next year. She toured North America in March and April 2022. Her track, "Never Forget", is a tribute to Zamrock; she also worked with Emmanuel Jagari Chanda lead singer of Witch. It was produced by Mag44 and received positive reviews from critics. In September 2022 the singer-rapper supported Billie Eilish's tour of Australia and undertook a European tour in the following two months.

In 2023, it was announced that Sampa the Great would do the theme song for the animated series Supa Team 4. Sampa featured on vocals on the first track "Life Goes On" of the Ezra Collective’s album Where I'm Meant to Be, which won the Mercury Prize in September 2023.

Personal life Sampa Tembo's identity as a Zambian-born, Botswana-raised individual is fundamental to her music. She discovered hip-hop as a child, noting listening to 2Pac's "Changes" as a catalyst for her interest in the genre. She has been influenced by Mos Def and Chance the Rapper. Tembo described Joey as a "passionate artist and an amazing performer".

Independent Album of the Year Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP "Final Form" Independent Song of the Year

APRA Awards The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Sampa the Great has been nominated for one award.

herself Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year "Final Form" (Sampa Tembo, Alejandro Abapo, Leon Sylvers) Song of the Year 2022 "Ezinna" by B Wise, Sampa The Great & Becca Hatch (Nicholas Martin, Milan Ring, Sampa Tembo, Tung Yeng, James Iheakanwa) Song of the Year

"Lane" (featuring Denzel Curry) Song of the Year herself Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year 2024

Most Performed Hip Hop/Rap Work

ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. Sampa the Great won Best Hip Hop Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, from two nominations.

"Final Form" Best Hip Hop Release Sanjay De Silva for "Final Form" Best Video

Album of the Year Best Female Artist Best Independent Release Best Hip Hop Release "Time's Up" (featuring Krown) Best Video The Return Australian Tour 2019 Best Australian Live Act

Australian Music Prize The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It exists to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence. 2017 Birds and the Bee9 Australian Music Prize 2019 The Return Australian Music Prize 2022 As Above, So Below Australian Music Prize

J Awards The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

"Black Girl Magik" Australian Video of the Year

herself Double J Artist of the Year "Final Form" Australian Video of the Year 2020 Sampa the Great featuring Krown - "Time's Up" Australian Video of the Year

As Above, So Below Australian Album of the Year

Sampa the Great Double J Artist of the Year

MTV Europe Music Awards The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. 2019 Herself Best Australian Act

Music Victoria Awards The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. The commenced in 2005.

Best Album Best Soul, Funk, R&B Album herself Best Solo Artist herself Best Female Musician herself Best Hip Hop Act

"Final Form" Best Song herself Best Solo Artist herself Best Female Musician herself Best Live Act herself Best Hip Hop Act

Best Album Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B and Gospel Album "OMG" Best Song herself Best Solo Artist herself Best Musician herself Best Live Act herself Best Hip Hop Act herself Best Intercultural Act 2021 herself Best Solo Artist

National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music. The award ceremony commenced in 2004.

"Better Days (with Baker Boy & Dallas Woods) Song of the Year National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

The Heatseeker Award (Best New Act)

Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year

Live Hip Hop Act of the Year

People's Choice - Best Live Voice of the Year

Live Hip Hop Act of the Year

People's Choice - Best Live Voice of the Year 2019 herself Live Hip Hop Act of the Year

Live Act of the Year