Africa-born, Australia-based rapper Sampa The Great has returned today, with an incredible new tune that once again proves her to be at the forefront of Australian hip-hop.
Teaming up with British soul singer Estelle and producer Rahki, known for his work with hip-hop legends including Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Talib Kweli as well as fellow Aus rapper Illy, Everybody’s Hero is the first track from Sampa’s upcoming EP HERoes Act 2, set for release on May 12.
Musically, Everybody’s Hero is smooth, slinky and understated. Sampa is at her most low-flying temperateness, with powerful yet thoughtful, provocative verses, set to low-slung, jazzy production from the man who worked on i and Institutionalized from To Pimp A Butterfly. Lyrically poignant as always, the song preaches the need to be your own hero, even when you can’t be one for everybody else.
One of Australia’s best rappers and live performers, Sampa the Great continues to live up to her name. Watch this space – she’s just getting started.
https://soundcloud.com/redbullsoundselect/sampa-the-great-everybodys-hero-feat-estelle-prod-by-rahki
Sampa is touring with Remi later this year – dates below, tickets here. Don’t miss out on what might be the country’s two best rappers kicking it together.
As Ta-ku gears up for his first live tour of America, what could be more fitting than covering Estelle’s 2008 R&B classic American Boy? Featuring guest vocals from Wafia (who you might recognise from Japanese Wallpaper‘s Breathe In), this version translates to a male perspective, entitled American Girl, and is gorgeously stripped down.
Originally started as a joke, inspired by old Kobe Bryant highlights featuring the original song, Ta-ku said of the release “I really wanted to make a stripped back emotional version that would play on its really great melodic structure”. Along with most of the internet, we are in agreement that there is very little that is funny about Ta-ku’s American Girl. Resting on the original melody and vocal line, the song becomes fragile and haunting in his hands.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/228585978″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Wavering on the soulful, understated vocals and set to delicate instrumentation, light piano touches and cinematic strings hint at Estelle’s upbeat club classic – only now it has a far more tender feel. Echoing hand-claps keep time, and Wafia’s sweet lo-fi vocals are a thoughtful touch. There is a touch of dark pop around the brooding feel, but mostly the track is airy and ethereal.
As covers go, Ta-ku’s American Girl is definitely a success, and great spin on the original. Likely to melt a few hearts in this homage to the U.S ahead of his tour, it’s a fitting release.
American Girl is out now Future Classic.