Brooding, powerful, soul-cleansing. The soundscapes that Zambian-Australian singer-songwriter and rapper Sampa the Great delivers are transcendent. Crafting a seamless blend of hip-hop and pop music with a strong African flare, this ARIA award winning artist has become renowned for her songs around black power and female empowerment.
Her resolute message has seen her tour with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat and Joey Bada$$, as well as spearhead a surge in interest for quality Aussie hip hop acts who tell their own message and story. With that in mind, we’ve found five local hip hop artists following in Sampa’s footsteps who you should be paying attention to.
annelise.
A young female rapper from Western Sydney, annelise. is a rapidly rising star with a growing list of music industry cred. Bringing a more pop-influenced flavour to her hip-hop style, annelise. Takes her inspiration from the likes of Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Prince and Ms Lauryn Hill, and the results are moody, smooth pieces of music. Landing the chance to record with Delta Goodrem on her 10th anniversary "Innocent Eyes" album and fresh off releasing her debut EP last year, 2020 is going to be a big year for this exciting artist.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Lonely Lover’, ‘Trippin’’, ‘No Feelings’, ‘Decisions’
Click here for her Spotify playlist.
Boomalli
Boomalli is the Kamileroi (Gomeroi) word for ‘Strike With Power’, and that is certainly what this artist does. A proud member of the Kamileroi nation in the Walli Reserve of western New South Wales, this confident, hard hitting rapper delivers old-school, powerful, aggressive hip-hop gems focused on indigenous culture and empowerment. Working with music producer Hazy and performing at Yabun Festival, NRL Indigenous All Stars games and the ARIA Awards, this year will see Boomalli release his debut record, ‘The Promise’ on January 24th. If you are looking for old-school, politically charged hip-hop which wears its proud, indigenous heart on its sleeve, this is absolutely for you.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘100’, ‘Where I’m From’
Click here for his Spotify playlist.
A. T. M. Jeff
A more left-field selection, A.T.M. Jeff is, on the surface, a pure pop artist in the style of artists like R. Kelly. However, don’t let that fool you, this artist is full of life, colour and emotion, bringing an hip-hop edge of his emotionally charged songs filled with stories of family troubles, challenges and soppy love stories that’ll make you smile. Originally from Burundi, his clear influences in pop and hip-hop see him deliver compelling songs. Now based in Perth, he is sure to have more of an impact in the coming year on Australia’s growing hip-hop scene.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Where is my Daddy’, ‘Under 18’, ‘ Finally My Boo’, ‘It’s True Love’
Click here for his Spotify playlist.
Edesa
Bringing a blend of rock, plunderphonics and rap, Edesa is a Melbourne-based producer and artist. Following a debut EP release last year, this artist brings a more sample-based approach to his music, delivering some tracks that wouldn’t feel out of place to songs The Avalanches put out. A clear Kate Bush and Aphex Twin influence permeates his releases, and the fact Edesa himself has so much compelling personality on the mic too makes you want to listen on. This guy has got chops, and a style to his music too much fun to ignore.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Chainheart’, ‘The Nest’, ‘Firestone River’, ‘Elemental’
Click here for his Spotify playlist.
Tèbir
Last, but absolutely not least, is an artist that hasn’t been shy in admitting he is a huge fan of Sampa the Great. Based in Melbourne, Tèbir is a Sudanese artist who fuses soul, funk and hip-hop in a catchy blend, combined with his smooth voice that sounds heavily influenced from the likes of T-Pain and Anthony Hamilton. This sounds like an artist destined for bigger and better things in 2020, so if you are a listener who is all about groove, rhythm and flow, this artist will rock your socks.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Hold Me Down, ‘Fragrance’
Click here for his Spotify playlist.
