There is a saying in the Bemba language, “Zambia ku chalo”, which means “Zambia to the world”. It has become something of a philosophy for Sampa Tembo, better known by her stage name, Sampa the Great.

Zamrock has always been in Sampa Tembo’s blood — even if she didn’t know it. In fact, the Zambian rapper known as Sampa the Great only recently discovered the subgenre, which was her home country’s ...