Song Exploder

Sampha - Spirit 2.0

Nov 15, 2023

Sampha, singer, songwriter, and producer, talks about his song 'Spirit 2.0' on this episode. He discusses collaborating with other artists, the creative process, and the meaning behind the song's lyrics and themes of self-protection, fearlessness, healing, and self-reflection.

19:51

Creator website

Episode guests

Sampha

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Samfa drew inspiration from West African music, particularly from an album called 'Wara Tan,' which influenced the foundation of the song 'Spirit 2.0'.

Collaborators such as El Grincho, Usif Days, Owen Pallet, A.G., and Lisa Kainte contributed to the production of 'Spirit 2.0', adding drums, string arrangements, rap vocals, and doubling Samfa's vocals.

Deep dives

The Inspiration from West African Music

Samfa drew inspiration from West African music, particularly from an album called 'Wara Tan' by artist Umoosangari. The complex rhythms and fresh way of playing acoustic instruments resonated with Samfa and influenced the foundation of the song.

Introduction

2min

Building Songs with New Gear and West African Influences

8min

Creating 'Spirit 2.0'

7min

Exploring the Meaning and Themes of the Song

2min

Exploring the Meaning and Creation of 'Spirit 2.0'

5min

Sampha is a singer, songwriter and producer from London. His first album, Process, won the Mercury Prize in 2017. He’s collaborated with artists like the XX, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Solange. If you saw the Song Exploder Netflix show, Sampha was in the Alicia Keys episode, for the song they did together as a duet. This year, in October 2023, Sampha put out his second album, Lahai. And for this episode, I talked to Sampha about the song “Spirit 2.0.” Coming up you’ll hear the original demo, and some early voice memos.

Sampha recruited some collaborators for the song, like producer Pablo Diez-Reixa, aka El Guincho, who won a Grammy for his work on Rosalia’s first album; plus Yaeji; and Lisa Kaindé, from Ibeyi. But the song “Spirit 2.0” first took shape when Sampha was by himself, at home.

For more, visit songexploder.net/sampha.

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Song Exploder

Sampha - Spirit 2.0

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Inspiration from West African Music

The Evolution of the Song

Collaboration and Finishing Touches

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts