Lance Sampson embarked on a journey to uncover his family’s roots, which led to the creation of an ambitious concept album intertwining nearly 250 years of Black African Nova Scotian history in 17 diverse tracks. Feeling a lack of knowledge about Black history and African Nova Scotian heritage, Sampson, also known as Aquakultre, decided to delve into his family’s past to be prepared for conversations, especially with his daughter, who attends a school with limited curriculum on their heritage.
His exploration began with visits to elders in Black African Nova Scotian communities across Nova Scotia, including renowned filmmaker Sylvia Hamilton and historian David Woods. These interactions inspired Sampson to create the TV show “Generations: Black Memories of Nova Scotia” after traveling thousands of kilometers for research. Through this journey, he discovered his family’s lineage dating back eight generations to 1783 when Black Loyalists arrived in Nova Scotia post the American Revolution.
Resulting from his research, Sampson produced the album “1783,” collaborating with various artists to explore genres like gospel, jazz, R&B, country, and hip-hop. The album features tracks like “Holy,” inspired by the journals of Reverend William White and “La Joux,” a French sung piece envisioning a love story during wartime. One poignant track, “Gallows,” pays tribute to Sampson’s great-great-grandfather, Daniel Perry Sampson, the last person executed in Halifax in 1935, emphasizing the quest for justice and truth.
Sampson’s endeavor with “1783” aims to connect personal experiences with historical narratives, shedding light on overlooked stories within the Black Nova Scotian community. By acknowledging and reclaiming these stories, Sampson believes that understanding one’s history can lead to a more empathetic and enlightened perspective on humanity.