Zambian Songwriter, Poet and Rapper has emerged Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artiste for the month of September.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for sub-Saharan Africa, said this, in a statement, on Tuesday.

Okumu said EQUAL provided a diverse range of female musicians in Africa with the resources they need to accelerate their career paths and address the gender imbalance that often affects women in the music industry.

Okumu said the artistes supported in Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Initiative were introduced to a worldwide audience, while also receiving off-platform guidance and tools to help them progress in their music career.

According to her, Sampa is a poet, lyricist, and visual musician, whose insightful and socially conscious music is to boost, motivate and encourage progressive minds.

She said her delivery alternated between assertive, confident rap, seamless soul-jazz, and artistic perceptions.

“Sampa’s music is a diverse mix of genres, including abstract hip-hop rhythms, African influences and Neo-Soul.

“Sampa has a passion for poetry and crafts intricate poetic verses, which entice listeners into a beautiful, creative realm.

“Spotify is so excited to have Sampa The Great as our EQUAL Africa artiste for September.

“She is a powerful artist, who has a courageous, young mind and she is determined to beat all odds stacked up against her,” she said.

Born Sampa Tembo, she was raised in Botswana, where she discovered her love for hip-hop after hearing 2Pac’s “Changes” as a youngster.

Sampa started rapping at a young age and after relocating to Australia as an adult, became a fixture in Sydney’s hip-hop scene.

In her response, Sampa said, “As a Zambian woman artist whose career started outside her country, it feels like a full circle moment to be able to relocate back home.

“Creating a whole album in Zambia and showcasing the range, different genres and amazing art that’s coming from the continent has been a big goal that I have infused into a new wave and genre called Hybrid music.”

(NAN)