Artists from across multiple disciplines adopt pseudonyms often with purpose and meaning to expand ones artistic intention. Sampa The Great is a name that invites readers, upon reading her name for the first time, into a world of curiosity. How \u2018Great\u2019 is she and what makes her Great? I first came across Sampa The Great working in publicity for Sydney based soul inspired Hip Hop outfit Yum Yum, where Sampa The Great played support.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Her petite stature was posed like a stoic Queen, observing her surroundings, focused and ready, yet chilled and fun. Barely a name whispered in the local Sydney music community, Sampa The Great has managed join the Wondercore Island family (Hiatus Kaiyote, Oscar Key Sung), premiered on Okayplayer, to capitvating Melbourne & Sydney in under less than 6 months, with a string of local blogs and publications lapping up her lyrically potent, visceral and genre-bending sounds – thanks to her producer Dave Godriguez. In addition to the online affection, Sampa The Great has been added to some of Australia\u2019s most exclusive festivals from WOMADelaide, Sugar Mountain Festival and FBI SMACS to name a few. All this off the back of one mixtape release. <\/p>\n

But what makes a person great? You can reflect on your own understanding on the human condition to answer that question. But for Sampa The Great, greatness is a quality she has in bucketloads. Her lyrics are deeply reflective, seasoned, textured, and insightful often expounding upon the human condition, self efficacy and womanhood. Her greatness has yet to be revealed in its entirety, but that\u2019s okay. She\u2019s young and has the world at her Fingertips.<\/p>\n

Who is Sampa The Great?<\/strong>
\nStill discovering. ln short A female poet and singer songwriter who expresses through music,poetry and visual art.<\/p>\n

What was the inspiration behind the name?<\/strong>
\nThe inspiration was \u201cWhat is something you thought you never would be\u201d and that was great, so I put it next to my name.<\/p>\n

You migrated to Australia from Zambia at a young age, can you give us a little background on the move and how that impacted your life?<\/strong>
\nNo actually, I was born in Zambia and raised in Botswana my whole life from age 2. I have only been in Australia for 2 years on my student visa.<\/p>\n

Who introduced you to Hip Hop\/Rapping and at one point did you think, \u201cYes, this is my calling. Music is my calling”?<\/strong>
\nMy cousin Chewe Sunkutu, he used to stay with us when we were younger. We considered him our brother. I remember walking upstairs to his room and walked in and he was listening to Tupac \u201cChanges\u201d. It captivated me so much I forgot what I went there for. Then came \u201cTill The End Of Time\u201d. Both still pivotal to my growth today.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t really remember the day it happened and the instance that made it happen for me to say this is my calling, but from then I\u2019ve been striving not to be the best rapper,singer or even artist ,now. Just the best Sampa.<\/p>\n

In what way has your heritage influenced your relationship with your music?<\/strong>
\nI think heritage\/culture will still follow you regardless of what artform you do. So every ballad, every spit is influenced from where I come from.<\/p>\n

Who are your musical influences?<\/strong>
\nToo many to count and growing. Zambian Traditional folk songs all of them! African traditional music too many to list. Then out to the world with Lauryn Hill, Tupac, Mos Def, Nina Simone, Thandiswa Mazwai, Asa, K\u2019Naan, Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest there’s too many! Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rymes. I\u2019d say maybe the first 4 starting from Lauryn initiated the want to take it professional, all African music were always instilled.<\/p>\n