Sampa The Great performed a cover of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DNA.’ for her debut solo appearance on triple j’s long-running Like A Version series. In addition to the cover, Sampa performed her original track ‘Let Me Be Great’ from new album As Above, So Below.
The cover begins with Sampa’s lone vocals before being joined by two backing vocalists, a keys player, guitarist and drummer. ‘DNA.’ originally appeared on Lamar’s 2017 album, DAMN.. Alongside the addition of her own original lyrics, Sampa’s take on the track features lyrical references to Kendrick’s 2013 song ‘Money Trees’.
Sampa The Great – ‘DNA.’ (Kendrick Lamar cover)
Speaking to triple j after the performance, Sampa said she was inspired to choose the track as a result of having supported the US rapper during his 2016 tour of the country. “Kendrick’s show was the first big major support that I got in Sydney and it was a huge inspiration for me to actually take being an artist seriously,” she said.
“I really like DAMN.. I think an artist who is really focused on lyricism and storytelling, sometimes you can get really heavy with your projects. I feel like DAMN. was a lighter version of Kendrick and we got to see him happy and joyous and talking about stuff that we all talk about, which I love.”
Sampa’s cover of ‘DNA.’ took place a week after the release of her latest album, As Above, So Below, which features guest appearances from Angélique Kidjo, Kojey Radical, Joey Bada$$, Denzel Curry and more. “This is my freest project to date,” Sampa said of the record. “It feels like the journey of ‘my return’ has been completed, and a new chapter begins.”
Further Reading
Sampa The Great Announces Intimate Sydney Shows
Kendrick Lamar Officially Releases Short Film For ‘We Cry Together’
