Sampha reveals all the details of his long-awaited second album”LAHAI“, which is scheduled for release on October 20 via Young. Named after his paternal grandfather and also his middle name, LAHAI explores the wonder and magic of our existence, embodying the turmoil we face as we go through the cycle of life and the afterlife. Featuring 14 tracks and collaborations with some of his closest friends, colleagues and collaborators, including Y.Agee, Lea Sen, Sheila Maurice Gray (Kokoroko), Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson (Black Midi), Yusef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwaque BassLAHAI, unlike The Process, is a shared project in which Sampha explores the different ways we as humans connect to each other and to something greater than ourselves. Also released today was a new single, “Only,” co-produced with El Guincho and accompanied by a video directed by Dexter Navy in collaboration with Sampha. You can listen and watch the video HERE.
Like the author himself, “LAHAI” challenges musical categories ranging between jazz, soul, rap, dance, jungle and the sounds of West Africa. On this album, Sampha takes her creative vocal and production ambitions to new heights.
As a major singer, songwriter and producer, it is no surprise that artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott and in the past Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys have turned to him for his unique talents. voice and its contribution to the writing and production of his musical works. Her work spans a variety of creative disciplines. She has previously collaborated with fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, creating Shy Light magazine with Durimel (who also did the cover for LAHAI), her film The Trial with director Khalil Joseph, and most recently working with creative director Johnny Lou to create the album logo for new line of Sampha products, pre-order available at this link: https://sampha.ochre.store/
While Process, his 2017 Mercury Prize-winning debut album, was a work in which the artist sought to understand his place in the world while grappling with the shadows of suffering and loss, LAHAI is an exercise in radical acceptance and the joy of the human condition and the beauty of the journey itself.
Forgetful, an inveterate dreamer, constantly looking for beautiful music to flow into my ears. I have been visiting this place since 1998.
My 3 favorite places:
Bloom (Mezzago), Santeria Social Club (Milan), Circolo Gagarina (Busto Arsizio)
First album I bought:
Music cassette “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns & Roses
The first album I wanted to buy:
“Blissard” by Motorpsycho
Something about me that I don’t think is useful for you to know, but I’ll tell you anyway:
To paraphrase John Fante, I often feel overwhelmed by the awareness of the pitiful fate of man, the terrible meaning of his presence. But then I put a good record in my headphones and feel the courage of humanity, and why not, I also feel almost happy to be a part of it.