Sampa the Great Teams Up with Sia on New Album Nu Zamrock
Zambian-born rapper and singer Sampa the Great has joined forces with Australian pop superstar Sia on “Supernova,” a collaboration featured on her newly released album, Nu Zamrock.
The collaboration marks an exciting moment for the Zambian-born artist, bringing together her distinctive blend of hip-hop and African musical influences with Sia’s powerful vocals.
Released on October 30, 2026, Nu Zamrock features 16 tracks and represents a new chapter in Sampa’s musical journey. The project draws inspiration from Zamrock, the influential Zambian musical movement that emerged in the 1970s, blending psychedelic rock, funk and African rhythms.
The album’s release is particularly significant because it places Zambia’s rich musical heritage at the centre of an ambitious contemporary project while connecting it with internationally recognised artists.
SAMPA EXPLAINS HOW THE COLLABORATION WITH SIA HAPPENED
In an interview with Australian publication The Music, Sampa explained that the idea of working with Sia emerged during studio conversations about different singers and their distinctive vocal styles.
Producer Cadenza suggested Sia as a possible collaborator, and the team decided to explore the possibility. A demo was subsequently sent to Sia’s producer, opening the door to the unexpected partnership.
Sampa revealed that Sia’s contribution went beyond a brief guest appearance or backing vocals. The Australian singer performs prominently on “Supernova,” delivering the chorus and bringing her recognisable, powerful vocal style to the track.
Sampa described the experience as humbling, particularly because Sia engaged with the song as a genuine creative collaborator.
The song explores themes of destiny, purpose and the feeling that a person is pursuing the path they were meant to follow. According to Sampa, these themes resonated with the artists involved and helped the collaboration come together naturally.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR ZAMBIAN MUSICAL HERITAGE
Beyond the international collaboration, Nu Zamrock carries a deeply personal meaning for Sampa.
The album was inspired in part by her discovery that her uncle, George Kunda, popularly known as Groovy Joe, was a founding member of WITCH, one of the pioneering bands of Zambia’s legendary Zamrock movement.
That discovery strengthened Sampa’s connection to a musical tradition that helped define Zambia’s cultural identity during the 1970s.
Rather than simply recreating the sound of that era, she combines Zamrock influences with modern hip-hop, poetry, soul and contemporary production to create a sound that reflects both her heritage and her artistic evolution.
The album also features collaborations with Mwanjé on “Can’t Hold Us,” KAMAUU on “Star,” and Nicole Gumbe on “Gone.”
Other tracks include “Simon Says,” “Location,” “Canary” and “I Can Love,” giving the project a broad musical range while maintaining its focus on identity, self-belief and artistic independence.
AN INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON ZAMBIA
The collaboration with Sia gives Nu Zamrock an additional international dimension, potentially introducing more listeners to Sampa’s music and the Zambian influences behind it.
For Zambia, the project also highlights the importance of preserving and reimagining local musical traditions for new generations.
Sampa has consistently used her work to explore questions of identity, belonging and African cultural expression. With Nu Zamrock, she takes that mission further by connecting a historic Zambian sound with contemporary global music.
The partnership with Sia demonstrates how artists from different musical backgrounds can come together while allowing the cultural roots of a project to remain central.
With Nu Zamrock now released, listeners can explore Sampa’s latest artistic chapter and hear how her Zambian heritage meets international pop on “Supernova.”
For Sampa the Great, this is more than a major collaboration. It is an opportunity to take Zambia’s musical legacy to a wider audience while creating something distinctly her own.
