Sampa the Great @ 9:30 Club — 3/29/22

Sampa the Great performs at 9:30 Club on March 29, 2022. (Photo by Will Colbert)

Freedom is a concept that has bent nearly to its breaking point in recent years — the freedom of movement, financial security, and sovereignty. During a recent show at DC’s 9:30 Club, Zambian rapper/singer Sampa Tembo, better known as Sampa the Great, had one rule — be free!

The March 29 show was the second stop of Sampa the Great’s first North America tour — a fact not lost on the young artist and her band. The enthusiastic all-Zambian ensemble wasn’t going to squander the opportunity to impress DC fans.