What makes Birds and the BEE9 by Sampa the Great notable?

The album received widespread acclaim, with notable features in publications like The Guardian and Pitchfork, which praised its innovative sound and lyrical depth. It also significantly contributed to the representation of African and female voices in hip-hop, influencing a wave of artists who sought to address similar themes. Released on November 10, 2017, 'Birds and the BEE9' marked Sampa the Great's debut studio album following her critically acclaimed EPs. At this point in her career, she was gaining recognition within the Australian music scene and was poised for broader international appeal.

How many songs are on Birds and the BEE9?

Birds and the BEE9 has 13 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Birds and the BEE9

Sampa the Great · 2017

50 min · 13 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of hip-hop infused with African rhythms and empowering lyrical themes celebrating identity and resilience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Girl Magik — This track stands out for its celebration of Black femininity and empowerment, combining powerful lyrics with an infectious groove that encapsulates the album's essence.
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Protect Your Queen — In this song, Sampa delivers a poignant message about self-worth and resilience, utilizing rich metaphors to evoke a sense of pride and strength.
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Healing — The opening track sets the tone for the album, introducing listeners to Sampa's introspective style while addressing themes of personal growth and healing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album combines rich cultural influences with strong lyrical themes, making it both distinctive and rewarding on repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a thematic tone, followed by tracks that blend traditional African instrumentation with contemporary hip-hop beats.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing community and engagement within the lyrics.
The last three tracks shift towards introspective themes, creating a reflective conclusion to the album's narrative arc.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

I Am Me

The verses shift from reflections on identity to affirmations of self-acceptance and confidence.

This transition emphasizes the journey from doubt to empowerment, solidifying the album's overarching theme of embracing one's true self.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Healing 3:09
2 Flowers 3:26
3 Protect Your Queen 3:29
4 Rhymes to the East 4:07
5 Can I Get a Key 3:42
6 Black Girl Magik 3:41
7 Casper 4:16
8 Karma the Villain 3:16
9 Bye River 7:42
10 Inner Voice 5:23
11 The Truth 1:20
12 I Am Me 3:33
13 Healer 3:03

What to play next

Listen next

The Return

2019

Go back to

The Great Mixtape

2015

Full Sampa the Great discography Artists like Sampa the Great

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata