Crate Digging: Rue Gumbochuma, Music Supervisor

“If an alien landed on Earth and asked what music represents the best of humanity, these albums would be included.”

As Above, So Below by Sampa The Great

I first discovered Sampa The Great’s music back in 2016, when my favourite hobby involved spending countless hours trolling through playlists and discovering new artists on SoundCloud. Having followed her journey since then, “As Above, So Below” stands out to me as her best work to date. It’s a coherent presentation of where she is as an artist now, and a glimpse into how she’ll continue to grow. As a proud Zimbabwean, pressing play and immediately hearing the sound of the Mbira, a traditional instrument native to Southern Africa, felt like home. I love how she unapologetically weaves her Zambian heritage throughout the record. Her charismatic rap vocal performances and song writing shine, and the collaborators - from featured artists to producers are perfectly curated.

The standout song for me is 'Never Forget,' the first single I heard from the album when it was used for the trailer of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. At the time, I wasn’t a music supervisor, but I remember thinking it was a dream sync, a perfect song choice executed flawlessly. If only I could have been a fly on the wall for that decision. Years later, now working as a music supervisor, this album embodies everything I love about music and this industry.

I can envision Sampa in an epic cinematic universe like a Marvel film, or a grounded character-led southern African indie film.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes

I first came across Hot Buttered Soul as a Hip-hop fan after hearing 'Walk On By' sampled in Biggie’s 1994 hit, 'Warning.' Beyond being an iconic record from an iconic artist, it’s a masterclass in musicianship. The album may be only four songs long, but with the shortest track running over five minutes and the longest stretching to eighteen, it indulges in repetition, leaving you with no choice but to enjoy the groove. From the brilliant instrumentation, with its unforgettable guitar riffs and melodies, to Hayes’ vocal performance, this album is often described as revolutionary for soul, R&B, and Hip-hop, but to me it’s revolutionary to music… period. I'd love to hear this music in a period crime drama like Snowfall.

If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: labelsyncuk@concord.com.