Sampha’s ‘LAHAI’: A Rich Tapestry of Jazz, Soul, and West African Music Set to Release on October 20th

Today, the multi-talented Sampha unveils the full details of his eagerly awaited second album, “LAHAI,” set to be released on October 20th via Young. The album’s title pays homage to his paternal grandfather’s name, which he also proudly carries as his middle name.

A Dive into the Essence of “LAHAI”

“LAHAI” isn’t just another album. An intricate tapestry marries the wonder and magic of our existence, crystallizing the beautiful chaos one feels when faced with the cycle of life and the vastness beyond. A noticeable departure from his debut album “Process”, “LAHAI” is an ensemble masterpiece, where Sampha dives deep into the myriad ways humans connect – with each other and the universe.

Boasting 14 tracks, the album is enriched by the talents of Sampha’s closest allies, such as Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey of Kokoroko, Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson from Black Midi, Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves, and Kwake Bass.

The album’s latest single, “Only,” which drops today, is accompanied by a captivating music video directed by Dexter Navy in tandem with Sampha. We are reintroduced to a rejuvenated Sampha, melodically rapping over a fragmented hip-hop beat, co-produced by El Guincho. Experience the visual and auditory treat of “Only” here.

Sampha’s Return to the Stage and Upcoming Tour

June marked Sampha’s grand return to live performances after a hiatus of five years. His Satellite Business residencies in London and New York offered fans an up-close experience of Sampha and his band’s improvisational prowess, earning rave reviews from esteemed platforms like Pitchfork.

Fans are in for a treat this autumn as Sampha embarks on an enhanced version of the Satellite Business live show. Kicking off with multiple performances in London’s St. Johns at Hackney Church in October, the tour will then sweep across North America, with stops in major cities including Los Angeles, Toronto, NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Sampha will then circle back to Europe in December with shows in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris. Stay tuned for the full list of dates.

The Multifaceted Genius of Sampha

“LAHAI” is a testament to Sampha’s unparalleled versatility, effortlessly bridging genres like jazz, soul, rap, dance, jungle, and West African music. His remarkable prowess as a singer, songwriter, and producer has seen collaborations with music industry giants like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott, Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Alicia Keys.

Beyond music, Sampha’s artistic flair is evident in his collaborations with fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, the Shy Light zine with Durimel, his “Process” film with director Kahlil Joseph, and recently with creative director Jonny Lu for the “LAHAI” album artwork and logo. Fans can pre-order exclusive Sampha merchandise, including a deluxe edition of “LAHAI,” at Sampha’s and Young’s websites here.

If “Process” was Sampha’s introspective quest to find his place amidst grief and loss, “LAHAI” stands as a celebration of the journey’s human spirit and beauty. Welcome to the next mesmerizing chapter in Sampha’s musical journey: “LAHAI.”

Sampha

LAHAI

October 20th, 2023

Young

https://sampha.ffm.to/lahai

Track list:

1. Stereo Colour Cloud (shaman’s dream)
2. Spirit 2.0
3. Dancing Circles
4. Suspended
5. Satellite Business
6. Jonathan L. Seagull
7. Inclination Compass (Tenderness)
8. Only
9. Time Piece
10. Can’t Go Back
11. Evidence
12. Wave Therapy
13. What If You Hypnotise Me?
14. Rose Tint

Sampha 2023 Tour Dates:

Tickets are on sale Friday, 15th September at 10 am local time. Pre-sales begin at 10 am local time on Wednesday 13th September.
Sign up at sampha.com

Satellite Business

October 12 – London, UK – St John at Hackney Church
October 13 – London, UK – St John at Hackney Church
October 14 – London, UK – St John at Hackney Church
October 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

Lahai Tour

October 29 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
November 1 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
November 4 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
November 7 – New York City, NY – Webster Hall
November 11 – Washington D.C. – Howard Theatre
November 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
November 15 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern 
December 4 – Berlin, DE – Theater Des Westens
December 5 – Amsterdam, NL – Royal Theatre Carré
December 7 – Paris, FR – Cirque d’Hiver