NATASHA ALL GEARED! Miss Zambia looking forward to world pageant

NATASHA Mapulanga, the reigning Miss Zambia is excited about representing the country at the Miss World pageant to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May.

For Natasha, this is a dream come true.

“This has been a childhood dream of mine, so besides being excited, I am in awe of my dreams actualising,” she told the Weekend Mail in an interview. “So it is an honour, and my goal is to market our country, as a people, our culture, food, music, livelihoods, values and norms, and I just hope to make Zambians proud overall, because I won’t be going as Natasha but as Miss Zambia.”

The pageant in the UAE will be the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant.

“I am delighted to announce the 71st Miss World Festival will be held in… the UAE,” Julia Morley, chairman of Miss World Limited, announced last week.

The Miss World pageant is an international competition that has been held annually since 1951.

The event seeks to find the most beautiful woman in the world, and its participants come from countries around the globe.

Contestants are judged on their talents, intelligence, and their answers to questions on current events and social issues.

The current holder of the title of Miss World is Polish model and television presenter, Karolina Bielawska will crown her successor as Miss World 2023 at the end of the pageant.

According to her biography on the Miss World website, Bielawska is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Management and would like to continue her studies with a PhD.

Natasha, the 26-year old international relations student and development analyst was crowned Miss Zambia in June last year - seven years after missing out on the crown in 2014.

“My journey so far has been good,” she said. “The most fulfilling part for me is my social cause which is ending period poverty through an NGO that I work with called ‘Human Street Health Aid Zambia’ (HSHAZ). 

“We donate menstrual cups to young girls especially in rural areas. This is so to enable them to still access education even when they are on their monthly period without any hindrance or discomfort, also to allow them to take part in extracurricular activities like the boys.”

Natasha says preparations for the global event has since started and going on smoothly.

“The glitz and glam of attending events is nice and fun too, but my whole essence as Miss Zambia is driven by my social cause,” she said.

Note that this article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper on Sunday, February 19, 2023.                                                                                           

CHAPONDA GOES FOR IRIS: Comedian mesmerises audience with Zambia related content

WELL, whereas it may be true that Britain Got Talent gave Zambian born but now UK based Malawi stand-up comedian Daliso Chaponda, a golden buzzer, Zambia on Thursday night gave him something even bigger – it delivered to him a Music Club filled to near capacity.

Now, that is something big in stand-up comedy circles –   especially down here anyway. Not many people turn up as much as they did, for such events.

Immediate conclusions could be that the organisers put up a vigorous and ambitious publicity campaign for the show, or Daliso is just that good, good enough to merit the audience he got on his maiden appearance in Zambia in a show as part of the Wakanda for Laughter world tour.

Well, both could be true. But we shall dwell so much on the latter – Daliso is really good at what he does.

It is no wonder that The Music Club, Lusaka’s world class performance and events venue was thronged the way it was, Daliso is a class act. True to his word prior to his coming, there was no such thing as Zambian time here – the scheduled time for the show was 19:00 hours and it started at exactly that time.

Seasoned comedian and actor, Chibwe Katebe wasted no time in gassing the audience with some laughing gas, if at all there is such a thing. In other words, he set the tone, just perfect enough for Daliso.

For those that have followed Chibwe’s comedy, they know how talented and organised he is. Mixing between his old and new relatable jokes, he kept the audience entertained as he spiced it up with a little dance, here and there.

Chibwe, a former St Clements Secondary School in Mansa pupil made fun of how people in rural areas find it hard to excel in life because of the schools they attend and their funny names.

He soon introduced the Sakala Brothers in fashion on the stage. Note that the music group will be hosting a music event dubbed ‘Royal Salutations’ at the same venue tonight [Saturday].

After a performance of two songs, comedian and public relations practitioner Topsy Sikalinda introduced Daliso at 20:05 hours.

Ideally, you’d expect him to be on stage for an hour or less, like most stand-up comedians do, but he did not. Instead, Daliso who was proud to share and joke about how he is Malawian but was born here went on to perform for close to two hours.

Clearly, people got the full value for their money.

As is required of stand-up comedians, he proved to the audience that he is well researched too, when he cracked jokes on socialites Iris Kaingu and Mutale Mwanza. He didn’t stop there - even former President Edgar Lungu and President Hakainde Hichilema featured in his jokes, of course much to the delight of the audience.

He also joked about his native country Malawi and also his experiences in the UK and some of the perceptions about Africa he’s had to deal with abroad, because of his race.

Daliso expertly transitioned from one joke to the other without suggesting any hint of lapse. He wasn’t even shy to take a dig on people in the audience, including waiters. Take for instance how he commended this one waiter for doing a tremendous job of serving patrons alcohol that was making him funnier.

He ended his set close to 22:00 hours with jokes about sex and fitness, causing frenzy in the building. He continues his Wakanda for Laughter tour with Tanzania and Malawi this week.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail's Sunday Mail edition of December 18, 2022.

NATASHA IS MISS ZAMBIA: 25-year-old finally gets her hand on ultimate crown

TWENTY-FIVE year-old Natasha Mapulanga was crowned as the new Miss Zambia, seven years after missing out on the crown in 2014.

For getting the ultimate crown, Natasha will represent Zambia at this year’s Miss World pageant.

The international relations and development analyst student, who was Second Runner Up in 2014, took over the title from her predecessor Vanessa Chinyemba after being chosen as the most impressive of the eight other participants at a colourful ceremony that was held at the Best Western Plus Hotel on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

Joyce Mwansa, 26, a laboratory technologist was picked as the First Princess while 26-year-old marketer Naboonga Mulenga walked away with the Second Princess title with 22-year-old entrepreneur Celine Mbunda settling for Miss Personality.

But in order to make it to the top five, the girls first had to impress the five-member jury in the four categories – Introduction, tradition, Zambian colours and evening wear.

The jury consisted of former title holders Elizabeth Mwanza, Mwangala Ikacana, Winfridah Mofu and entrepreneur Wika Kawina and fitness trainer Makungo Muyembe.

During the evening wear category, the nine contestants were reduced to five – Natasha, Naboonga, Celine, Taonga Kanyanta, 26, and Joyce.

As is tradition, the contestants, during the question and answer session, Natasha was asked by Elizabeth on what she aspires to be and why. In

response, she said: “I would aspire to be someone that adds value and inspires positive change in society.”

However, it was the confidence in Naboonga’s response when asked by Wika how she would define the current status of Zambia with regard to religion, politics, and the economy that excited the audience. It was a tough question.

The pageant was hosted by television and radio personality Michelo ‘Michie’ Malambo, who also happens to be a former Miss Zambia title holder herself.

Apart from the crown and an assured participation at the Miss World pageant, Natasha walked away with a year's supply of Swiss Arabian perfume, K50, 000 Mozo TV voucher, monthly supply of Movit and Sho’dor products, a brand new Mercedes Benz E20 to be given after successfully participating in the Miss World pageant and a cash prize of US$4000 to be paid to her within the year.

Others who made it to the finals are Taonga Kanyanta, 26, a science laboratory technologist; Nancy Mwansa, 20, a student and model; Febby Ngandwe, 25, a student and agro-entrepreneur; Eutray Simwatachela, 23, a front desk operator; and Venus Vlahakis, 24, a student.

Other past winners of the Miss Zambia title are Elizabeth Mwanza, Tukuza Tembo, Alice Banda, Cynthia Kanema, Precious Mumbi, Winfredah Mofu, Katanekwa Matundwelo, Christine Mwaba, Michelo Malambo, Mwangala Ikacana and Vanessa Chinyemba.

Reigning Miss Botswana Palesa Molefe was also in attendance at the grand finale that was also being televised on Mozo TV, Crown TV and other selected Zambian TopStar Channels while in Uganda it was on Capital TV, GH1 TV in Ghana and on Kiss TV in Kenya.

Soon after, musicians T Sean, Jae Cash and Pharaoh were tasked with the sole duty of entertaining the audience. As always expected, they never disappointed.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Saturday, June 18, 2022.

MISS ZAMBIA 2022: Elizabeth gives out ultimate compliment

IF you are a model and Elizabeth Mwanza gives you a thumps up, then just know that you should consider it as the ultimate compliment.

The Miss Zambia 1992 winner says she is impressed with the calibre of models the country is producing now.

Speaking last Saturday at the Miss Zambia fashion show, to mark the end of the three-week boot camp for the 2022 Miss Zambia finalists at The Best Western Plus Hotel, Elizabeth, who is also national director for the pageant, said the current crop of models come with so much.

“They come as powerful individuals,” she says. “Women who are ready to make a change in other people’s lives, who are willing to make the Miss Zambia a stepping stone to make themselves a bigger and a better brand.”

The Miss Zambia beauty pageant will take place next Saturday at the Best Western Plus Hotel. Last year, it could not take off due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which was at its peak then.

“Nowadays, the women are very smart,” Elizabeth adds. “A long time ago, we entered pageants because we just wanted to be a Miss Zambia. But now, they come and they say, ‘I want to make a change’, and they mean it because they don’t come as a blank slate. They have a lot to offer in terms of who they are, what they are doing, what they have done and what they intend to offer in the future.”

This year’s Miss Zambia finalists are Celine Robine Mbunda, Taonga Kanyanta, Eutray Simwatachela, Febby Ngandwe, Venus Mary Vlahakis, Joyce Mwansa, Nancy Mwansa, Natasha Mapulanga, and Naboonga Mulenga.

During the boot camp, the finalists were trained and mentored in business, economy and also culture.

“They’ve had an incredible time, great experiences,” Elizabeth says. “They have been mentored in basic discipline which has been incredible, they have been mentored in beauty, fashion and anything you can think of.”

The fashion show was held under the theme: ‘Beauty Within.’ 

Elizabeth is encouraging Zambians, especially young women, to be proud of the beauty within them.

“I think this is definitely a new era for us, Africans,” she says. “We no longer hide behind the European ecstatic’s of who we are in beauty, in terms of our hair, our faces, and our body. As it is now, as an African, you can stand alone as an African star without changing who you are.”

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Sunday 5, June 2022.

SHEKHINAH SUITS PERFECTLY: South African songstress, Afro Red toast Ultimate Experience at Nightjar

IT was a hive of activities at The Nightjar Bar and Restaurant at Eastpark Mall, just next to The Music Club, last Saturday.

First it was the Ultimate Original Glenlivet Experience where customers were taken through what could be called a whisky sensory experience with live music by renowned jazz band, the Afro Red and some free tasting of The Glenlivet whisky.

Then, South African songstress Shekhinah, best known for her song, Suited, was in the house. And from what she gave in her performance, it is clear that she was perfectly suited for the occasion.

Now, The Glenlivet is a single malt, double matured Scotch whisky. From the Speyside region of Scotland, it is first matured in traditional, then American oak casks. The latter barrel imparts notes of vanilla and gives the whisky its distinctive smoothness. 

This classic single malt has a rich and fruity taste with a long, creamy and smooth finish.

The Glenlivet brand ambassador from South Africa, Sean Tantsi who was on hand to showcase the history of the whisky, made sure that everyone, including those with little to no knowledge about whiskies felt its greatness on all the five senses, the whisky entices – sound, taste, smell, sight and touch.

That is obviously something that needs no introduction to all those that love this hard drink anyway.

Leading up to the main event, The Nightjar used to host this experiential event for a straight six weeks, every Saturday.

And at the climax of it all, Shekhinah, who arrived in the country on Saturday afternoon, lived up to expectation. Before her set that lasted under an hour, the Afro Red Jazz band made sure there was no dull moment in the building.

The audience was kept entertained with their expertly executed covers to a number of great songs that ranged from both local to international.

That is why, by the time Shekhinah, the 27-year-old singer from Durban was making her way to the stage at around 22:00 hours, the groundwork had already been done for her – the people were already in the party mood.

Who would blame them anyway, when in the house, was an artiste who has continued to establish herself as an important voice in contemporary pop and urban RnB following her exploits on Idols South Africa not too long ago? By that, the frenzy that nearly ensued following her entrance in the building was not only expected, but also understandable – she is simply loved.

With just a keyboard player and a drummer for her set, Shekhinah expertly performed like a pro that she is.

Saving the best, in this case her most popular song Suited for last, she performed about eight songs before calling it quits, with a toast to a glass of The Glenlivet 12 Years.

And, oh! Everyone that was in attendance walked away with a present, the same way they were welcomed with a drink at the door. If you ask me, it was worth every penny.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Saturday, June 4, 2022.

DJ CORE ISN'T JOKING: T Sean's talented brother tests waters

WHEN DJ Core, born Desmond Mulenga released his self produced first single titled Joke in May last year, perhaps not many took him seriously.

But after following up his first release with three more singles within months, perhaps it is right and befitting to lend the budding artiste whose elder brother T Sean (Richard Mulenga) is a household name, an ear.

We caught up with the talented music producer who recently released a single titled Umulwele. The released song which featured Kas D Troy, Slim the Hitmaker and Goodson Chizo was released together with a top class music video.

“I would say that I technically started music last year in May when I released my first single which was called Joke. I will be clocking a year in the industry very soon,” he says while emphasising that the desire had always been there. “It was just a matter of time before I would go into it full swing.”

Growing up, DJ Core whose other alias is Dees Law, had always loved music. “I remember growing up, we would normally practice together with my brother T Sean and my immediate young sister from time to time. So yeah, I have always had the passion for music,” he says.

He says had he not been a music producer, DJ Core would have probably been a full time artiste manager.

“That is all out of the love I have for music,” he says. DJ Core has mostly been working as T Sean’s deejay at shows, something he is grateful for.

“The experience has been great.. I am learning a lot and I am grateful for the opportunity,” he says. His second single was Ikumbatefye and it featured Bow Chase and Jedi. It received quite an overwhelming response from both radio and club deejays.

He then went on to record, produce and release his third single which was titled Ecstasy. On the project, he featured his brother T Sean, Kas D Troy and XYZ affiliate rapper Camster.

“Then there is also this new single Umulwele, which I am currently promoting. So far, I am impressed with my works and the latest project is so dear to me because, not only did I work with exceptional people, but it came with a video which is a huge landmark for me because it’s my first ever music video,” he says.

DJ Core says he receives so much love from the fans and assures that he will not be a one hit wonder - he is here to stay.

“I am unique in my own way because I make beats and produce apart from the usual disc jockeying works. I call myself DJ Core as an artiste and Dees Law is my other moniker that is mostly limited for business and company use,” he says.

Having been in the shadow of an established artiste in the form of his brother, DJ Core seems to have seen it all and understands how hard it is to break through in the industry.

In the same vein, he has some advice for upstarts wishing to make the top drawer in the game.

“I have worked with many top drawer acts in the game such as T Sean, T Bwoy, Bow Chase, Camstar, Slim the Hitmaker, Kas D Troy, 4D, Jedi and Goodson Chizo. My advice to other upstarts is to simply say that everything is possible. Just be focused and determined in life and know your target and goals,” he says.

He says he will release an album in due course as soon as he has established a fan base.

DJ Core was born on May 4, 1994 in Kitwe to Memory Banda and Robert Mulenga. He is the second born in a family of seven.

“I have been brought up by two lovely families. My parents split when I was quite young so most of my childhood involved moving back and forth between Kitwe and Lusaka,” he says.

He attended Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula primary school in Lusaka and also Chiwala Secondary school in Ndola.

After completing his secondary education in 2015, DJ Core then enrolled at Evelyn Hone College in 2017 where he pursued a three year diploma in Science Laboratory Technology course.

“Being in college was an amazing experience. I learnt a lot of things, not only academic wise. During my stay in school, I was solely focused on school and I hadn’t gone into music by then, even though I would from time to time join to support my brother at shows. My commitment to music then wasn’t as it is today,” he says.

DJ Core is also grateful to his parents and the family for their unwavering support throughout his musical journey.

He says: “Few parents in Zambia support music and I know that had I gone into music before going to college, my parents would not have allowed me. So I had to do what my parents wanted me to do. Only then did I take the step that I took - which was to follow my heart and pursue music much as I am still a professional scientist.”

REZA MEANS BUSINESS: Budding musician brings tourist capital on song

IAN Mizinga is very new to the music industry but it is clear that he means business.

With only two songs to his name, the budding musician whose stage name is Reza has already set some airwaves abuzz with his unique style that many people who may have lived, stayed, or indeed Livingstone may relate to.

Also commonly known for the phrase ‘Muntu Wakamina’ which can be loosely translated as my person in a corrupted Livingstone lingua that can only be understood by those familiar with the tourist capital, Reza has received endorsements from the heavy weights, the likes of Slapdee, Petersen and Bobby East.

His first single Life Yakamina which was released in December last year received very good reviews and the artiste, new as he is in the game is back with another one - in a similar tone and language that could as well as be a dictionary for those planning to visit the tourist capital for the first time.

It is titled Mukaziswaba. Simply put, the title of the song that was released not so long ago is translated as you should be ashamed.

We caught up with the budding act and he shared with us his aspirations.

“Livingstone is very diverse and the people here do things in a very different and unique way from the rest of the country. For anyone that has lived here, they know that Livingstone is unique in the way people speak, unique to what they eat, and it is that same uniqueness that most people don't know about,” he says.

He adds: “That is how I decided to take it upon myself to put Livingstone's uniqueness on the global map through my music. My first single did very well and I even performed it on the same stage as Bobby East, Yo Maps, Slapdee and Nez Long. Life Yakamina simply means my life in our own special Livingstone lingua.”

Reza is signed to Mafasho Entertainments which is making sure that he records more songs with messages that an ordinary Zambian will most likely resonate to.

He says he will continue to tell stories, in his songs, about his hometown Livingstone until it gets the recognition it deserves.

“To many, this is just a tourist destination. But to me, this is home and that is why I will continue to do my thing the Livingstone way,” he says.

Livingstone lingua has a mix of corrupted Nyanja, Tonga and Lozi, a phenomenon that fascinates many first time visitors to the tourist capital.

The Livingstone born and bred artiste attended Shungu Namutitima Primary School before going to Holy Cross Primary School for his grade eight and nine.

He completed his secondary school education at David Livingstone Secondary.

Reza also has a Degree in Entrepreneurship Development from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

“Other than that, I also attended Let's Live Life Coaching School in Johannesburg, South Africa with a specialisation in personal development and self discovery,” he says.

Reza is also a media consultant and startup consultant and is a licensed Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) License D football coach.

He has also assured his fans that he is yet to record and release even more songs in his usual style.

BEYOND GLAMOUR: Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie reflects

ALTHOUGH modelling is exciting, it is also a lot of work. That is how the reigning Miss Global Universe Zambia Stephanie Mulamata sees it.

I recently sat down with the model, who is also a teacher by profession but currently working as a counsellor at a Livingstone based non-governmental organisation called Contact Trust Youth Association (CTYA).

The 25-year-old Livingstone based model, who started modeling in 2013, shared her illustrious journey in the industry.

“My journey in the industry as a young model has been very exciting and also emotional,” says Stephanie who was born on October 31, 1995 in Livingstone to Steven Mulamata and Ivy Hachilenge. 

“Suffice to say, I have lost more titles than I have won. Pageantry has exposed me to a lot of things and it has boosted my confidence and self esteem.”

Stephanie says the modelling industry is not all rosy as there are a lot of hurdles for one who is aspiring to make it has to endure.

She says one for instance has to deal with constantly turning down sexual advances and favours in exchange for services.

“People tend to take advantage of us quite a lot because we expose our bodies then we are labeled as prostitutes and easy goers who can do anything for money. There’s actually more to us than walking half naked on a stage.

“We get to research and study very much. I have had many instances where people want to take advantage of me - especially with photographers. You know, models need photos to continuously keep updating their portfolios and to get bookings and deals. I have had instances where a photographer would entice you with a free photo shoot in exchange for sex or its equivalent. I have had my own share of such instances.”

Stephanie advises that such hurdles could be overcome by saving.

“If you can save, such instances cannot befall you," she says. "Support from family and friends is also key. Trust the process, take one step at a time, because as a model, you have this image to protect - so, it’s about trusting the process. Older and rich men will always be on your case to entice you with money, but stand your ground so that you do not fall prey to any of their advances.”

Stephanie encourages anyone wishing to take up modelling to ensure they try and get the support of their family and friends first.

She says it is hard to excel as a model in Zambia because it is not considered as a high end economic activity like it is in other countries such as the Philippines.

“Government would rather support the music industry than modeling," she says. "With support from the government, modeling has very huge potential to contribute to the country's economy and end poverty.

“When we are out there, we don’t just market ourselves but the country as well.”

Stephanie, who intends to start a campaign called ‘One Bag at a Time’ which will be looking at environmental degradation issues by encouraging the use of biodegradable and reusable carrier bags says models are an asset to a country - and they should be supported.

She attended Livingstone Primary, Holy Cross Primary before completing her grade 12 from David Livingstone Secondary school in 2012. Stephanie also has a Bachelor of Arts with Education qualification from Victoria Falls University.

“I guess modeling has always been my passion but it had to wait until I was done with my secondary school because my parents wouldn’t have allowed me,” she says.

Stephanie, who is friends with her father on Facebook, remembers how he at first was not comfortable with his daughter posting photos of herself in bikinis and revealing outfits.

“But now, he has gotten the gist of it and has been supportive ever since," she says. "I can say he is my biggest fan."

Stephanie's first pageant was the Miss Tourism Zambia in 2013 during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Livingstone where she, in her own words “fared terribly.”

In 2014, she scooped the Miss Community Livingstone and made top 10 at the Miss Teen Zambia.Two years later, she went on to scoop the Miss Victoria Falls and in the same year, she went for the Miss Zambia where she failed to make top 10.

In 2017, Stephanie was crowned Miss VCT and in the same year, she was runners up at the Miss Heritage Southern Province and went on to make top 10 at the nationals.

In 2018, she was crowned the Miss Africa International Zambia at a pageant in Lusaka before going on to be crowned Miss Global Universe Zambia at the Miss Tourism Worldwide beauty pageant that was held at the New Government Complex in Lusaka last December.

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.

KAY FIGO DEMANDS RESPECT: Kanyelele singer makes second coming

THERE once was a time when Kay Figo, born Cynthia Kayula Bwalya looked like the next big female star.

In fact a rivalry, whether real or imagined, appeared to be forming with Mampi. But if indeed there was any, the two have certainly put it behind them. The two are now friends.

After enjoying the limelight with hits such as Kanyelele and Chachilamo, Kay Figo for some reason went quiet.

But she is back now. She recently released a single titled No Other.

“The single was written and produced by Kekero,” she said when she made an appearance on ZNBC's The Vibe with Leon Kalumiana television show a fortnight ago. “I am in the studio working on another song that I will be releasing very soon, together with a music video for it.”

Kay Figo explained what the next single is about. “It’s quite an interesting song. I won’t say much about it but it talks about where I am coming from and what I have achieved, coupled with the kind of respect I deserve from people. As Kay Figo, I have made quiet a name for myself and I deserve respect. I have been in the industry for quite some time and I was the first one to hit a million views on YouTube.

“All those that are coming to boast about hitting one billion YouTube views, they should know that I did it first. I am not hating on anyone, people should just respect that I did it first. That is what the latest song that I will be releasing very soon is talking about. I just finished shooting the video for the song. People should expect it very soon.”

Kay Figo said before she signed to Kalandanya Music Promotions (KMP), she used to feel lazy recording and releasing songs. “But now that I have been signed, I have become very busy because of the morale that has been restored,” she said.

She said she signed to KMP because she enjoys good relations with the proprietor of the label, Bwalya Kalandanya. “We have come a long way with Bwalya Kalandanya. I would say he has been my fan from way back and that is why I didn’t hesitate to sign for him when the call came,” she said.

Kay Figo who has had quite her own share of negative shade thrown her way says the industry isn’t very kind to female artistes. But she found a way of going round it.

“I have been through that a lot - from the time of that white man. People were talking and they said a lot of things that they didn’t know about. They were just judging me from what they had seen on social media - so, I have been through that but all you have to do is to hold your head high and say ‘no one can bring me down’. If people are talking about you, it means you are doing something and they are noticing you,” she said.

She said she managed to pull through the turmoil and negative shade she received especially on social media by not paying attention to them.

She said: “I am strong.” “I used to respond to negative comments on my social media handles back then, but now, I have stopped doing that. I don’t even read the comments anymore and people complain that I don’t engage with my fans. That has worked for me,” she said.

Kay Figo also added that the Zambian music industry lacks unity and is full of pretenders, especially among female artistes.

“When I just came into the game, it was bad, especially among female artistes. People even started saying that I was trying to be like someone else. There is no unity in the game. People pretend a lot in the industry. I have just decided to live my life the way it is and not try to impress anyone. If my fans think that I am supposed to be getting along with people that they like and I am not and they feel bad about it, I don't care,” she said.

She continued: “I have tried my level best to unite the industry and it cannot work. So, I have just told myself to live my life and do my own thing. I am not going to lose anything. There is no unity in the industry. If you get along with someone, then that is fine. If you don’t, that is also fine - just forget about it.”

Kay Figo said she has helped and groomed a lot of artistes in the music industry not because she expected favours, but because she feels happy to extend a helping hand.

She advised upcoming artistes to be humble and stay focused as they look  for the right connections that can help spur them to stardom.

“Just believe in yourself as an artiste  and don’t follow anybody blindly, you will be misled. Macky 2 is a good guy and he gives very good advice and is willing to help anyone. We need more people like him,” she said.

'STINGY BOYS' OUT: Yxung Bxss collaborates with Abel Chungu

BORN Michael Inalegwu Kuzasuwat, the 25-year-old Nigerian born but Copperbelt-based music producer and graphics designer Yxung Bxss has teamed up with celebrated Zambian vocalist Abel Chungu on a single titled Stingy Boys.

Speaking to the Weekend Mail, Yxung Bxss said the single which was released on Friday 23^rd January has a strong meaning on how girls perceive guys who are really there for them, with real love as being stingy and prefer blessers who give and flaunt them with material things at the expense of marriage.

He said the song is a feel good sound that everyone will be able to relate to, especially now, with trending Stingy Men Association of Zambia (SMAZ) posts on social media.

“So in the song, we are just playing around that notion and how girls prefer guys that flaunt money and not those that truly love them and are willing to spend eternity with. It’s obviously a huge collaboration and it has nice sound and definitely better production,” he says.

He adds: “The good part about this collaboration is that it has a huge artiste in Abel Chungu and the beat is something that is not as common. So, I can only say, it is very different and it has all the nice fusion to it – it’s a feel good song and something that people can dance to.”

Yxung Bxss is hugely a deejay artiste. “I don’t sing on my songs. I just get artistes to sing on the vocals as I take care of the production aspect of the songs,” he says.

Make no mistake nonetheless, Yxung Bxss already has also previously worked with the likes of T Low, Chuzhe International, 408 Empire and Sashiska. But now, he decided to release something of his own.

Already with two EP’s to his name – Shades of Life which was released in 2018 and had 12 songs as well as Yxung Bxss, the eight track EP which was released in 2019, he says he is working on an album which will be due for release sometime this year.

“I have an album coming out and I am working with a whole lot of artistes who include Chuzhe International, Sebastian Dutch and other friends of mine. I have a title in mind already, but I would rather not reveal it just yet,” he says.

Yxung Bxss is a second born in a family of five which consists of three boys and two girls.

He started learning music production at a young age in late 2012 shortly after his parents who are missionaries moved to Zambia from Nigeria.

He describes Zambia as being his home now. “I have enjoyed my stay here and I call it home now unless God decides to take me somewhere elsewhere.”

He says working with Zambian artistes has been both easy and hard. “But overall, the thrills outweigh the spoils,” he says.

Of his previously released EP’s, Yxung Bxss said they didn't do well locally but he was impressed with the streaming statistics from major music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

He says Yxung Bxss, the EP had about 324, 000 streams and Shades of Life garnered about 30,000 streams online.

Yxung Bxss describes his genre as electronic dance but is trying to transition into mixing it with afro beats so that he doesn’t go very far from home. “I can basically say I am both a western and local sound person. I like both and I like infusing them in what I do so that I can still sound relevant locally,” he says.

In terms of getting Zambian music to the levels that Nigeria has gotten theirs to, Yxung Bxss says there is a need for unity and stronger friendships among Zambian artistes.

He says he has observed that people in the game tend to sit on and downplay one another’s talent and potential. “They would be laughing and smiling with you today as you work on a project together and start talking ill behind your back. That behavior won’t take the game anywhere. What we need is unity and friendships and strong business values,” he says.

He adds: “Much as we would have friendships, people should also know how to value their works – paying producers the right money for their productions, paying an artiste and songwriters the right money for their works and many others. Everyone should respect what everyone is putting.”

Yxung Bxss who only has a Grade 12 certificate says given a chance to further his education, he would love to study music and graphics to compliment the knowledge he taught himself.

Livingstone's K9ine makes smart musical comeback

KENAN Chansa is a Livingstone based music artiste.

In truth, Kenan, whose stage name is K9ine has been in the game for quite a while – in fact, ten years to be precise. But like any other up comer, the challenge has always been in penetrating and making an impact in the game.

But that hasn’t stopped him from going again and again, nonetheless.

K9ine released his first single in 2010 – that was ten years ago. It was titled Imfa and in the song, he was somehow paying tribute to the country's fallen icons such as former Republican President Levy Mwanawasa, and musicians Levins and Lilly T.

Unlike others, K9ine is not very proud of his first production. “It didn’t do very well. I was young and very new in the game so the production was not as great. I didn’t even market it well enough. It was mostly local and given a chance, I would have done a better job on it had I recorded it at such a time when I have grown in the game.”

Moving on from his first blushes, he went on to record Monga Mpepo with a producer known as Shaker, who at the time was a producer at what was at the time, one of the most happening music studios in the land, Digital X.

According to K9ine, the song which he went a step further and shot a music video for is what made him known – in Livingstone anyway.

“We recorded the song sometime in 2011 at Upper Gate studios right here in Livingstone and it did quite well, I must admit. People knew me because of the song and I am utterly proud of it up to this day,” he says.

In the same year, he recorded and released another song titled Nikuli Imwe Jehovah and featured Tobby Zambiano the other half of the Kamaflage musical duo. Other songs that followed were Prepaid featuring Kapansa and produced by Shenky Sugar, then Niwe Weka featuring P Jay.

“I recorded the song with P Jay three months before he died. I knew him from way back through Shaker and working together on the song was very nice because we collaborated so well both on the audio and the video. He was a very good guy,” he adds. “The song was recorded at Cabin Studios by Bishop.”

Other songs to his name include Mafi ya Mpombo (Nibambili) produced by Jerry D at Cabin Studios, and also Napeza Wanga featuring Shenky and co-produced by Jazzy Boy and Shenky Sugar.

On boxing day last year, the relatively towering artiste released a social commentary song titled Smartphone which seems to have been received well by fans, if the airplay it is currently enjoying on radio stations is anything to go by.

The song which is actually on a DJ Pooh sampled beat was produced by Jazzy Boy.

He says he decided to record the song to try and educate the people on responsible use of a smartphone.

“What I am basically telling people is to be careful with these smartphones. I just decided to record something that everyone can relate to. In courts today, we hear of how marriages are ending because of a smartphone, accidents happen because of talking and texting while driving and we have also heard how people have lost jobs and opportunities over something that had to do with a smartphone,” he says.

K9ine was born and raised in Livingstone. He was born as Kenan Chansa in the late 1980’s to Stephen Chisenga and Julia Kachuzu who are both late.

He attended Holy Cross primary and David Livingstone Secondary school. “I completed my Grade 12 in 2005,” he says.

Besides music, he has a side hustle of selling shoes and advises other musicians to take up entrepreneurial skills to supplement their music careers.

“Last year taught many musicians a lesson. We need to have many sources of income, even the Garden of Eden had four rivers to keep the vegetation green in case one ran dry. It should be the same with us, we cannot just depend on music. What happens if you are not getting shows?” he says.

Other than that, he has also done a course in Information Technology. He says his music is largely influenced by the likes of Eminem, Dr Dre and the late Notorious B.I.G. “On top of advising people on the responsible usage of smartphones, let us also remember to stay safe and mask up in this coronavirus era,” he says.