1 September 2023, Lusaka: Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited has revealed that Sampa the Great, the singer, rapper and song writer will be performing live in concert in Lusaka in. October 2023, with American Rhythm and Blues (R ‘n’ B) singer, Ne-Yo, for two nights as part of the Stanbic Bank 2023 Music Festival.
Zambia’s biggest annual music festival returns this year on 13 and 14 October 2023, with the three-time Grammy-Award winner, Ne-Yo, alongside 10 other confirmed local and regional artists.
In what is expected to be a star-studded event with a bevy of Zambia’s finest musical talents, the Stanbic Music Festival will showcase the best of the local and regional music industry with the U.S. singer-songwriter.
The full line-up of local and regional artists set to perform at the Lusaka Polo Field alongside Ne-Yo over the two-night period are:
Friday, October 13, 2023:
- Sampa the Great!
- James Sakala
- Izrael
- DJ Switcher
- Pompi
Saturday, October 14, 2023:
- Danny Kaya
- Mlindo, the Vocalist
- Towela Kaira
- Chef 187
- DJ Ms. Selfie
Ne-Yo: the artist
Ne-Yo, born Shaffer Chimere Smith in Arkansas in 1979, is an award-winning songwriter, actor, dancer and record producer. He initially burst onto the music scene in the United States, when he was credited for writing Mario’s 2004 hit, “Let Me Love You”.
But it was Ne-Yo’s 2006 smash hit single, “So Sick” that cemented his evolution from songwriter to global superstar. The festival supports the Bank’s efforts to emphasise its commitment to supporting the local music industry.
Sampa the Great to perform at Music Fest
In a statement, Stanbic Head, Brand & Marketing, Mr. Eric Ngondo said: “We are delighted to announce that Sampa the Great, our very own singer, rapper and song writer, will be performing at this year’s Stanbic Music Festival in October! We fondly recall the Sampa the Great concert in November 2022, which we hosted at the Music Club in Lusaka, and was a massive success. Stanbic Bank is proud to partner with Sampa again in promoting her music to a wider audience.”
Mr. Ngondo continued: “By creating platforms for local artists at the #SMF2023 to perform on the same stage as international superstars like Ne-Yo, we believe that Stanbic is demonstrating how it continuously seeks to expose and grow young musical talent, with the overall objective of raising standards in the Zambian music industry. As a financial services institution, it remains our duty to support Zambian artists in providing them with opportunities to enable them inspire millions of young people. The full roster of local artists embody the spirit of national unity, courage and artistic brilliance. We are confident they will all provide audiences with a memorable performance. We are also excited to welcome into the country renowned South African singer, Mlindo, the Vocalist to Zambia! Lindokuhle Mgedezi, known professionally as Mlindo the Vocalist, is a South African singer and songwriter. He initially gained notable recognition following his debut single, ‘Amablesser’, taken from his debut album, Emakhaya.”
About Sampa the Great
Born in Ndola on August 9, 1993, Sampa Tembo, whose stage name is Sampa the Great, has been based in Australia between 2014 and 2020 where she has already racked up 3 stellar albums: Birds & the Bee9 released in 2017, winning her the Australian music prize – a US $30,000 cash award modelled on the Mercury prize; 2019’s The Return & the soon-to-be-launched As Above, So Below.
Her latest album earned Sampa international stardom when her song, Never Forget, featuring Chef 187, was used as the soundtrack to the Hollywood blockbuster movie, Wakanda Forever, the Black Panther sequel, which was released in cinemas worldwide in November 2022.
Ticket prices for this star-studded event in October 2023 are:
VVIP/Golden Circle – K3,000.00
VIP – K2,000.00
Standard – K600.00