What is Zamrock and who is reviving it?

Zamrock is a 1970s Zambian music genre blending psychedelic rock and traditional sounds. Sampa the Great is leading its revival, with other artists also sampling its music.

Which famous artists are sampling Zamrock?

Travis Scott, Yves Tumour, and Tyler, the Creator are among the contemporary artists who have sampled music from Zamrock bands.

Where can I hear Zamrock music in recent media?

Zamrock songs have been featured in the soundtracks of popular shows like HBO's 'Watchmen' and 'Ted Lasso'.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Zamrock Revival: Sampa the Great's Bold New Sound

Zamrock Revival: Sampa the Great's Bold New Sound

20 Dec

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Summary

Sampa the Great is incorporating 1970s Zamrock into her new album.
Zamrock blends psychedelic rock with traditional Zambian sounds.
Global artists like Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator are sampling Zamrock.

Zamrock Revival: Sampa the Great's Bold New Sound

Zambian-born, Botswanan-raised artist Sampa the Great is drawing inspiration from her country's 1970s musical movement, Zamrock, for her third studio album. She described Zamrock as a sound of "new freedom" and "boldness" that reflects a post-colonial identity, which she aims to reintroduce with a contemporary twist. The lead single from her forthcoming album, "Can't Hold Us," already showcases this fusion with prominent fuzz guitar riffs and Sampa's confident rapping.

This musical revival extends beyond Sampa the Great, as other prominent contemporary artists have also explored Zamrock's rich sonic landscape. Notably, American hitmakers Travis Scott, Yves Tumour, and Tyler, the Creator have sampled tracks from influential Zamrock bands like Ngozi Family, Amanaz, and WITCH. This suggests a growing global appreciation for the genre's distinctive sound, previously confined primarily to the African continent during its initial popularity.