Sampa The Great shares new single, 'Bona'

Sampa The Great has unveiled her latest single, 'Bona', taken from her forthcoming album 'As Above, So Below', set for release on September 9.

As per its predecessor 'Never Forget', the single takes influence from music heard by Sampa as a child, whilst raised in Botswana.

Inspired by Kwaito and Amapiano into a hip-hip blend, the track is opened by chiming sounds before a bassline sets the tempo, layered underneath Sampa's rap.

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"I haven’t yet shown the influence Botswana has had on me musically; this is the style, language and swag of Batswana youth," explains Sampa. "'Bona' is a chance for me to shine light on other elements of music that I was influenced by when growing up, outside of Zambian music.

"I want to bring a Southern African anthem to the mix and DJ desks, and show that not all music coming out of Africa is Afrobeats."

Having relocated to Zambia during the pandemic, the time allowed Sampa to reconnect with a different side of herself, closer to her younger artistry that was nourished whilst growing up in Africa. Coined as offering a '360 Sampa', the full forthcoming album unveils her various sides with 'As Above' reflecting her outside self and 'So Below' revealing her person within.

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The 11-tracker shines attention to and recognises the music emerging from the African diaspora today, whilst honouring the stories of those who tread previously.

Whilst you wait for the full album 'As Above, So Below', you can listen to 'Bona' now. Check the visuals out below:

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag's Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter