Sampha

Sampha Lahai Sisay (born 16 November 1988) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer from Morden, South London.[1] Sampha is widely known for his collaborative work with Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Travis Scott, Kanye West, Solange and others.[2] Sampha has released two solo EPs: Sundanza (2010)[3] and Dual (2013).[4] Sampha's debut album, Process, was released on 3 February 2017 by Young[5] and won the 2017 Mercury Prize.[6] His second album, Lahai, was released on 20 October 2023.[7]

Not to be confused with Sampa the Great.

Sampha
Sampha performing in November 2016
Sampha performing in November 2016
Background information
Birth nameSampha Lahai Sisay
Born (1988-11-16) 16 November 1988
London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • record producer
Children1
Instrument(s)
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websitesampha.com

Early years

Sampha was born in Morden, South London to Sierra Leonean parents who moved to the United Kingdom in the 1980s. His introduction to music began with learning to play on the piano at his parents' home in Morden and absorbing as it were records given to him by his older siblings. Later he discovered music production as a young teen, after his older brother, Sanie, built himself a makeshift home studio. He also went to Ewell Castle School for a number of years where he studied A-Level Music and in 2017 returned to open a new music studio building.[8] In 2007 through Myspace.com, Sampha met London producer, Kwes, whose music Sampha said changed his life. Kwes guided him and made introductions to musicians, Mica "Micachu" Levi, Ghostpoet, DELS as well as his now label-home, Young. In 2009 Sampha interned at the label.[9] Also through Young, Sampha was able to remix 'Basic Space' by The xx and meet his earliest collaborators: SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Bullion and Lil Silva. Sampha is also the cousin of grime artist Flirta D from the grime music group SLK.[10][11][12]

Personal life

Sampha welcomed his first child, a daughter, in the spring of 2020.[13]

Discography
Main article: Sampha discography

Awards and nominations
Year Organisation Award Work Result
2013 BBC[15] Sound of 2014 Himself Fourth
2017 Mercury Prize Album of the Year "Process" Won
Soul Train Music Awards Best Collaboration "Don't Touch My Hair" (with Solange Knowles) Nominated
Best Dance Performance Nominated
2018 Worldwide Awards Album of the Year Process Won
BRIT Awards Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act Himself Nominated
Ivor Novello Awards[16] Best Song, Musically and Lyrically "No One Knows Me (Like the Piano)" Nominated
2023 Grammy Awards[17] Album of the Year Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (as a featured artist and songwriter) Nominated

References
  1. "Beggars Music – Sampha". Beggars Music. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. "Rising: Sampha". Pitchfork Media. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. "Sampha – Sundanza". Young. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  4. "Sampha – Dual". Young. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  5. "Sampha – Process". Young. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. Brown, Mark (14 September 2017). "Mercury prize 2017 is won by Sampha's Process". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  7. Strauss, Matthew (6 September 2023). "Sampha Details Album and Tour Dates, Shares New "Only" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  8. "Mercury Prize-winner Sampha Sisay returns to Ewell Castle School". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  9. "Instagram post by Young Turks • Sep 15, 2017 at 5:47pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  10. "Sampha's Search For Magic _ The FADER". The FADER. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  11. "Sampha the voice of generations _ Dazed". Dazed Digital. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  12. "RBMA Radio Live – Sampha". Rbmradio.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  13. Jenkins, Craig (31 August 2023). "Sampha's Circle of Life". Vulture. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  14. Murray, Robin (24 August 2023). "Sampha Announces New Album 'LAHAI' | News". Clash. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  15. "Sound of 2014 Profile: Sampha". BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  16. "Ivor Novello Awards (@TheIvors) - Twitter". Twitter and Ivor Novello Awards. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  17. "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". GRAMMYs. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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