Aquakultre is a music project led by singer/rapper Lance Sampson from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Other members of the group include Nick Dourando (keys, horns, vocals), Jeremy Costello (bass, keys, vocals), and Nathan Doucet (drums, percussion). They are renowned for their smooth R&B/Soul sound and gained recognition on the national scene after receiving a prestigious 2020 Polaris Music Prize nomination. After being forced to relocate, many residents of Africville struggled to adapt to their new lives. Through Sampson’s lyrics, he reflects on his roots and personal development, now using the group’s platform to amplify the voices of the marginalized in his community.

Sampson’s love and dedication to his music were evident when he created Legacy at the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta, in just seven days. He released a few singles, including “Pay It Forward,” I Doubt It,” and “Wife Tonight,” followed by the launch of the group’s debut album, Legacy, in May 2020. In August 2020, he revealed that he would release his second album, Bleeding Gums Murphy, in collaboration with DJ and producer Uncle Fester, on October 9. Sampson himself and Evan Elliot directed the video for “Pay It Forward,” which won the Audience Award at the 2021 Prism Prize.

The group has performed in major festivals, including the Juno Awards, Halifax Pop Explosion, Halifax Jazz Festival, Fredericton Harvest Jazz and Blues, Dawson City Music Festival, OBEY Convention, Sappyfest, and more.

Awards

• Prism Prize Winner
• Best New Artist/Band (2017)
• Music Nova Scotia Award Winner (2021)