Sampha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sampha
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Sampha performing in November 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sampha Lahai Sisay |
| Born | 16 November 1988 London, England |
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| Children | 1 |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
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Sampha Lahai Sisay (born 16 November 1988) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer from Morden, South London. Sampha is widely known for his collaborative work with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Frank Ocean, SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Travis Scott, Kanye West, Solange and others. Sampha has released two solo EPs: Sundanza (2010) and Dual (2013). Sampha's debut album, Process, was released on 3 February 2017 by Young and won the 2017 Mercury Prize. His second album, Lahai, was released on 20 October 2023.
Early years
Sampha was born in Morden, South London to Sierra Leonean parents who moved to the United Kingdom in the 1980s. His introduction to music began with learning to play on the piano at his parents' home in Morden and absorbing as it were records given to him by his older siblings. Later he discovered music production as a young teen, after his older brother, Sanie, built himself a makeshift home studio. He also went to Ewell Castle School for a number of years where he studied A-Level Music and in 2017 returned to open a new music studio building. In 2007 through Myspace.com, Sampha met London producer, Kwes, whose music Sampha said changed his life. Kwes guided him and made introductions to musicians, Mica "Micachu" Levi, Ghostpoet, DELS as well as his now label-home, Young. In 2009 Sampha interned at the label. Also through Young, Sampha was able to remix 'Basic Space' by The xx and meet his earliest collaborators: SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Bullion and Lil Silva. Sampha is also the cousin of grime artist Flirta D from the grime music group SLK.
Personal life
Sampha welcomed his first child, a daughter, in the spring of 2020.
Discography
- Process (2017)
- Lahai (2023)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organisation | Award | Work | Result |
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| 2013 | BBC | Sound of 2014 | Himself | Fourth |
| 2017 | Mercury Prize | Album of the Year | "Process" | Won |
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Collaboration | "Don't Touch My Hair" (with Solange Knowles) | Nominated | |
| Best Dance Performance | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Worldwide Awards | Album of the Year | Process | Won |
| BRIT Awards | Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act | Himself | Nominated | |
| Ivor Novello Awards | Best Song, Musically and Lyrically | "No One Knows Me (Like the Piano)" | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Grammy Awards | Album of the Year | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (as a featured artist and songwriter) | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Sampha para niños
