The music of Zambia has a rich heritage which falls roughly into categories of traditional, popular and Christian music.
Jordan Katembula known professionally as JK, is a Zambian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Zambian music and the R&B genre in Zambia.
Amayenge is a popular Zambian music group. Started by Chris Chali in 1978 in Choma, the band was originally called Crossbones, one of many Zambian acts that had sprung up to do gigs based on rock. Later the band became known as the New Crossbones, after a change in direction, sponsorship and management. The musical style of the group is called kalindula, a distinctive Zambian popular style with traditional African roots. Chali died 30 May 2003, but the band has continued with Fraser Chilembo as their leader. Amayenge has received worldwide attention from WOMAD in London to Asia and the Americas. In the words of one author:
Amayenge have dominated Zambia’s music scene for the almost two and half decades by embracing all the 73 tribes of Zambia and making the entire nation feel a part of their unique vibe. They are without a doubt, the most versatile and successful band in the history of Zambian music.
Henry Nkole Tayali was a multi-lingual Zambian painter, sculptor, printmaker, raconteur and lecturer. He has been described as Zambia's most famous painter.
Yvonne Mwale is a Zambian Afro-Fusion, jazz and blues singer.
Mirriam Mukape, popularly known as Mampi, is a Zambian singer, actress and songwriter. Her music is kwaito and reggae inspired. She is one of the most viewed Zambian female artists on YouTube.
Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya known professionally as B Flow, is a Zambian musician, media personality, humanitarian, philanthropist, social justice advocate, and founder of Music For Change. He served as Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) from 2014 to 2017, before being elected to the position of Publicity Secretary in 2018. He is the global ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS for American organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and also the first Zambian artist in the world to launch an album at a US Embassy. The event was sponsored by the United States government through the embassy. The stage name B Flow was inspired by people who loved his 'flow'. B Flow also took a new direction with his music, changing his genre to what is now known as “KaliDanceHall”. In November 2016, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) named B Flow as one of the 16 voices of activism against gender-based violence around the world.
Ali Saleh Kiba, best known as Ali Kiba or occasionally as King Kiba, is a Tanzanian musician and songwriter. He is one of the most talented musicians in East Africa and mostly considered the King of Bongo Flava music Genre. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label and the Crown Media Group. With hit songs such as Mwana, Aje, Chekecha Cheketua, Cinderella, Nakshi Mrembo, Usiniseme, Dushelele, Single Boy with Lady Jaydee, Mapenzi Yana Run Dunia,mahaba,mama with legendary yvone chaka chaka and Macmuga. Ali Kiba is usually regarded as one of the most successful Bongo Flava stars usually associated with close rivalry with Diamond Platnumz.
Siame O'Brien, better known by his stage names OC Osilliation or OC, is a recording artist and producer from Lusaka, Zambia. He is also the CEO of recording studio Obama Records and Entertainment; which has produced four studio albums. OC has also released several top selling singles, including "Folo Folo", " Wangu ni Wangu", "Wacha Wachema", "Rafiki", and "Last Forever" which continue to be fan favorites and most requested.
Kondwani Kaira, known professionally as Chef 187, is a Zambian hip hop musician, a former Infinix ambassador and former Proflight ambassador from the Copperbelt Province signed under Alpha Entertainments Music. A younger brother to Macky 2.
Fumba Chama, known professionally as Pilato, is a Zambian hip hop recording artist from Ndola. The name Pilato written as pilAto is an acronym for People in Lyrical Arena Taking Over. Born and raised in the Copperbelt province, pilAto commenced his career as a poet at the age of 10, before formally moving into the music industry in 2010, when poetry became his music. Pilato has released three studio albums.
Mukubesa Mundia, better known by his stage name Petersen Zagaze is a Zambian Reggae and Afro Dancehall recording artist and record producer from Lusaka, Zambia. He initially gained major recognition after his third single in 2005 Munyaule. Petersen a holder of a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Public Administration is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of his own label imprint, Zaga Lyfe Entertainment, Octopus Media and 2016 Kora Awards Best Male Southern Africa Nominee.
Clementina Mulenga Masengu, popularly known as Cleo Ice Queen, is a Zambian musician and television personality. To her music career, she has two successful albums and affiliations with international labels such as Def Jam Records, Cleo has earned numerous accolades, including the Best Female Rapper Southern Africa at the 2021 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) and Best Female Artiste Southern Africa at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards (Afrima).
Mwila Musonda, known professionally as Slapdee, is a Zambian hip hop and rap musician. Having won multiple awards since his debut in 2006, he is often regarded one of the pioneers of Zambian hip-hop.
Malama Katulwende is a Zambian author and thinker, born in the Luapula province. A teacher by profession and educated in Catholic Seminaries and at the University of Zambia (UNZA), he first appeared on the literary scene with poems published in an anthology titled Under the African Skies: Poetry form Zambia in 2001.
Becky Ngoma, is a Zambian actress and writer. A filmmaker, Mwape started his career as an actor and is best known for the roles in Mwansa the Great, I Am Not a Witch and Temzu Town. Apart from acting, she is also a director and producer.
Robert Chindamba Banda, better known by his stage name Roberto is a multi-award winning Zambian artist, singer and songwriter.
Elton Mulenga better known by his stage name Yo Maps, is a Zambian singer, songwriter and music producer.
Saboi Imboela is a Zambian politician who leads the National Democratic Congress, a Zambian opposition political party. Previously, she was a singer for the singing group Shatel in the late 90s and early 2000s.
The Zambia Music Awards (ZMAs) are an annual Zambian national music awards that stands as a hallmark event within Zambia's music industry that recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievements in the Zambian music industry.The ZMA's mission, which seeks to recognize and honor great work in Zambia's musical field, focuses on the development of ideas that promote progression and originality. Consequently, the objective of ZMAs is to create a reliable and prestigious awards platform for all Zambian musicians as well as producers because they are part and parcel of this industry.
