After absolutely smashing her set last weekend in the Gobi tent at Coachella, poet/rapper extraordinaire Sampa The Great continues to collect more career milestones with the release of new track Lane featuring US rapper Denzel Curry. ‘Lane’ is the artist’s first single release via Loma Vista and her first offering since 2019’s ARIA Award and Australian Music Prize-winning debut album, The Return.
After returning home to Zambia during lockdown, a reflective, almost regressive Sampa reconnected with her younger, artistic self. Emerging again to a new age of authenticity and as a higher version of herself, ‘Lane’ makes the call to create and explore different lanes with an open mind.
The dynamic new track, featuring choral harmonies, jilted keys and a rolling bass melody sets the pace for Sampa’s defiant rap style. Refusing to be confined, she calls for courage to try willingly and freely, alongside Denzel Curry’s powerful verse. The accompanying video was directed by Rochelle Rhembard and Imraan Christian. In it we are introduced to ‘Eve’, Sampa’s highest version of self. Juxtaposed are four-walled concrete rooms which tell the story of Sampa’s newest journey, with Curry completing the narrative in a VR headset and spelling out the dynamic ending.
“We’re not going to stay in one lane, we’re going to create multiple ones… My truest self encourages me to explore different lanes, and go beyond what I think I know of myself.” -Sampa the Great
Sampa the Great spent much of the past two years writing and recording while at home in Zambia. In 2020, her debut album The Return won 3 ARIA Awards, including Best Independent Release, Best Female Artist and Best Hip Hop Release, followed by an amazing live performance filmed from a rooftop in Botswana. As a highly applauded live performer, Sampa has entertained audiences across the globe with appearances at festivals like Glastonbury, Splendour in the Grass and Laneway, alongside virtual sets for AFROPUNK, Black August and the Roots Picnic, as well as support slots for artists including Kendrick Lamar and Ms Lauryn Hill. Last weekend, Sampa The Great performed for the first time at Coachella 2022 and gave fans a taste of what to expect during her US festival run this summer at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands.
2022 LIVE DATES
June 5 – London, UK – Cross The Tracks Festival-Brockwell Park
June 10 – Barcelona, Spain – PRIMAVERA SOUND BARCELONA – Parc Del Forum
June 11 – Mannhein, Germany – Maifeld Derby – Maimarktgelände
June 12 – Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands – Best Kept Secret Festival – Beekse Bergan
June 18 – Lyon, France – Inversion Fest – Matmut Stadium
June 19 – Dublin, Ireland – Body & Soul – Ballinlough Castle
June 25 – Pilton, UK – Glastonbury festival – Worthy Farm
June 26 – Brussels, Belgium – Couler Café – Passerelle du parc d’Osseghem
June 29 – Gdynia, Poland – Open’er Festival – Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport
July 1 – Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde – Festivalpladsen
July 2 – Marmande, France – Garorock – Parc De La Filhole
July 3 – Koln, Germany – Sumemrjam Festival – Fuehlinger See- Regattainsel
