Two-time Australian Music Prize winner (the only multiple winner of the award), Sampa The Great will premiere her short film 'The Return' tonight on YouTube.
Directed by long-time collaborator Sanjay De Silva, 'The Return' is a behind-the-scenes look and moment-by-moment reflection on the musical and personal evolution behind Sampa's most affirming release to date."I knew when the album was being made it was a very important time for me musically and personally," Sampa says, who won Best Hip Hop Release at last year's ARIA Awards.
Fans are in for a double treat, with Sampa to be live in the YouTube chat forum to answer your questions 15 minutes prior to the premiere of 'The Return', which is at 11pm EST. Set your clocks now.
"My debut album was, in a sense, a release of control of the sound direction," adds Sampa. "Going back to root inspirations stronger than ever before with a clear and concise definition of all I am as an artist and as a person.
"With all that, myself and my team knew the experience and journey had to be documented. Everyone behind the album, from executive producer, to artists, to studios, management and team STG as well as the people behind the music videos, directors, producers, cinematographers and the Zambia team. "We put everything together in the spirit of home – and it's only the beginning."
The film navigates themes of belonging, displacement, identity and freedom alongside landmark moments that forged the body of work by the Zambian-born, Botswana-raised and now Melbourne-based artist.
"I wanted the short film to weave two different narrative threads that represent two very different sides to Sampa while she was making the album," director Sanjay De Silva says.
"On one hand, we have the studio sessions, where Sampa 'captains the ship', working closely with her team and collaborators on the music.
"This is the Sampa we know: she's strong, she's a leader and she has a clear vision.
"The other side is a much more personal look into what the album meant for her. It's a symbolic journey of her return to self as she travels back home to explore her roots. This is the vulnerable, self-conscious Sampa who isn't sure of her place in the world."
