Sampa The GreatBirds And The BEE9 is the new mixtape from Sydney-based rapper and singer-songwriter Sampa The Great (aka Sampa Tembo).
Tembo has worked with several producers including Kwes Darko, Sensible J (REMI's producer and drummer) and Alejandro 'JJ' Abapo on Birds And The BEE9, which, sonically, is a fusion of hip hop, soul and even a bit of gospel. The overall sound and tone of this mixtape are established on opener Healing, with hand percussion and soothing vocals producing an organic, almost spiritual feel. Born in Zambia and raised in Botswana, certain sounds and vocal chanting on the mixtape also hint at the influence that Tembo's background and upbringing have on her music.
Lyrically the mixtape is rich in content, both spiritual and political. Black Girl Magik, for instance, delves into Tembo's experience as a woman of colour, with empowering lyrics such as, "No I'm not your voice/I just wanna be equal".
The mixtape is not short of features, with Nicole Gumbe, Syreneyiscreamy, Mwanje Tembo, Zaachariaha and frequent collaborator REMI all making appearances.
Birds And The BEE9 is a captivating, original, poetic work.
