As Above, So Below
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LP / Format
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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
This is music to bop to on the streets, to listen to in church with a big congregation, or to soak up alone in a room.
90
On Sampa the Great’s As Above, So Below, she makes music with incredible clarity of purpose and affirms a sense of interconnected self and heritage.
80
Her identity is permanently stamped on As Above, So Below — the album both showcases Sampa's growth as an artist and delivers on fan expectation, taking them on a journey beyond bars into Africa's rich musical heritage.
80
While she may always struggle with ideas of identity and where she fits in a predominantly white society being a Zambian artist, she will always have the talent to get her ideas across.
80
Her uncompromising politics never come at the expense of the music: the beats make strident points on their own.
80
Sampa Tembo is no longer answering to Australia’s music industry, delivering a cohesive second album that oozes with confidence, empowerment and joy.
80
Sampa the Great’s latest release cements her as someone who ignores any traditional restraints within hip hop. The beautiful blends of genres and crisp production make ‘As Above, So Below’ an enthralling listen, and has Sampa raising the bar for herself once again.
80
As Above, So Below feels like Tembo at her best and most confident, free to make the music she’s always wanted to make with the artists of her choosing. It’s a rich, vibrant and carefully-curated record that successfully reveals the many sides of Tembo’s personality.
80
Sampa the Great returns with As Above, So Below, and it is a force, with Sampa's ability to play hard and soft the driving core of the album.
80
Sampa The Great's latest offering ensures that she will remain a beacon in her home continent of Africa and beyond
80
Sounds from Zamrock and kalindula woven seamlessly alongside those of contemporary Western hip hop and soul.
80
After making her mark on Australian hip-hop, the trailblazer turns her gaze to her home of Zambia, unleashing a confident, compelling second record
80
Impressive second album from Sampa Tembo sees her incorporate Zambian influences and more to deliver a statement of intent.
70
Her flow has a bratty edge and unhurried, authoritative core, capable of Philly soul sweetness on “Lo Rain”, or riding low, squelching beats on “IDGAF” ... Meanwhile, “Let Me Be Great” is a pan-African firework display celebrating her rooted rebirth.
70
A much more concise record than the sprawling, jazzy The Return, As Above similarly celebrates heritage and culture while looking inward and discussing personal issues.
70
The spirit of what makes Sampa so great is still intact, even though it seems like a lack of focus prevented the record from feeling as triumphant and powerful as it otherwise might.
68
The rapper continues to explore identity and belonging on her second album. Recorded in her native Zambia, it folds together zamrock, polyrhythmic percussion, and choral harmonies.
Sampa The Great's greatest quality - her uniqueness - is on full display here, especially in her vocal delivery. I also appreciate how she dives deep into her African heritage and upbringing both sonically and lyrically, although the production feels like a bit of a step down from her debut. In terms of features, Kojey and Angélique sound great and Denzel continues to impress on the Powers Pleasant-produced lead single but I expected more from Joey given his recent form.
Favourite ... read more
Shadows - 4/5
Lane - 5/5 ❤
Never Forget - 5/5 ❤
Mask On - 4/5
Bona - 3/5
Can I Live? - 4/5
Imposter Syndrome - 3/5
Tilibobo - 3/5
Lo Rain - 4/5
IDGAF - 3/5
Let Me Be Great - 5/5 ❤
On As Above, So Below Sampa the Great takes a new approach in fusing Southern African music with Hip Hop with a more Drill and Trap influenced sound. This new approach doesn’t always pan out though. Take the song Lane for example, that song is a mess. Sampa’s vocals completely pale in comparison to those supporting her. Vocals that aren’t up to par has been a consistent problem for her in previous albums so I would’ve hoped she would have some technological support by ... read more
Album rating (By personal enjoyment✔️, Not by quality❗):
7/10
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A decent RnB/neo-soul/afrobeat album. It's a little stale sometimes, but overall it's listenable, and the features are alright, especially from Joey Bada$$ and Denzel Curry
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Track ratings (By personal enjoyment✔️, Not by quality❗)
Shadows - 7/10
Lane - 8/10⭐
Never Forget - 7.5/10
Mask On - 8/10
Bona - 8/10
Can I Live? - 7.5/10
Imposter Syndrome - 7/10
Tilibobo - 7/10
Lo Rain - 7.5/10
IDGAF - 7/10❌
Let Me ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Shadows 4:08 | 69 |
| 2 | Lane 2:42 with Denzel Curry, Powers Pleasant | 76 |
| 3 | Never Forget 3:37 | 81 |
| 4 | Mask On 2:52 feat. Joey Bada$$ | 71 |
| 5 | Bona 2:40 | 72 |
| 6 | Can I Live? 4:14 feat. W.I.T.C.H. | 73 |
| 7 | Imposter Syndrome 4:17 feat. James Sakala | 65 |
| 8 | Tilibobo 3:04 | 69 |
| 9 | Lo Rain 3:32 feat. Mwanje | 78 |
| 10 | IDGAF 4:08 feat. Kojey Radical | 68 |
| 11 | Let Me Be Great 3:54 feat. Angélique Kidjo | 84 |
Total Length: 39 minutes
Year End Lists
| #4 | / | PopMatters |
| #7 | / | Double J |
| #10 | / | The Forty-Five |
| / | Uproxx |
Comments (4)
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1y
I love Sampa but the fact that this has more critic reviews than The Forever Story before it has came out is proof that some artists labels will pay for reviews
Added on: June 28, 2022