Elton Mulenga (born November 29, 1994) better known by his stage name Yo Maps, is a Zambian singer, songwriter and music producer. [1]
Mulenga was born on November 29, 1994, in Kasama. Mulenga's interest in music is said to have started in 2008 while he was a student at Chibombo High School. [2] When he was 18, he and his family moved to Kabwe; there, he recorded his first single 'Njikata Kuboko' in 2016. In 2018, he featured Macky 2 on a single titled 'Finally' which eventually became his signature song. [3]
On April 23, 2022, Mulenga married Kidist Kifle, together they have a daughter, Tendai. [4]
Yo Maps discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 2 |
Music videos | 30 |
Singles | 20 |
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NGR | RSA | GHA | UK | |||||||||||
Komando |
| – | — | — | — | |||||||||
Try Again [5] |
| – | – | – | - | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NGR | RSA | GHA | UK | ||||
"Njikata Kuboko" (featuring T-Gear) | 2016 | – | – | – | – | — | |
"Finally" (featuring Macky 2) | 2018 | – | – | – | – | — | |
"Mr. Romantic" | 2022 | – | – | – | – | — | |
"Try Again" (featuring Abel Chungu) | 2023 | – | – | – | – | Try Again | |
"Fatima" (featuring Berita) | – | – | – | – | — | ||
"So Mone" (featuring Tay Grin) | – | – | – | – | — | ||
"Nga Teba Yahweh" | 2024 | – | – | – | – | — | |
"Confirmation" (featuring Iyanya) | – | – | – | – | — | ||
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NGR | RSA | GHA | UK | ||||
"Mapalo" (Jemax featuring Yo Maps) | 2018 | – | — | — | — | — | |
"Season Yanga" (Bobby East featuring Yo Maps) | 2019 | – | — | — | — | — | |
"Don't Go Away" (Mr. Crown featuring Yo Maps) | 2023 | – | — | — | — | — | |
Year | Award | Category | Nominee/Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Ngoma Awards | Song Of The Year | 'Finally' | Won | [6] |
2022 | Outstanding Musician Of The Year | Yo Maps | Won | [7] | |
Album Of The Year | 'Komando' | Won | |||
Song Of The Year | 'Mr. Romantic' | Won | |||
African Entertainment Awards USA | Best Male Artist | Yo Maps | Won | [8] | |
David Efford Chabala, popularly known as Efford Chabala was Zambia's first choice goalkeeper from 1983 until his death in a plane crash off the Gabonese coast in 1993 and is one of Zambia's most capped players, with 108 full international appearances. Chabala was instrumental in Zambia's first ever East and Central African Championship success when he saved three penalties in Zambia's 3–0 shoot-out victory over Malawi in the 1984 final in Uganda after a goalless draw at full-time. He was named Zambia's Sportsman of the Year in 1985.
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.
Felix Bwalya was a Zambian boxer who won a gold medal at the 1991 All-Africa Games and competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. As a professional, he became African champion and went 12–1 on his way to winning the Commonwealth belt. Nicknamed "The Hammer", he captured the African Boxing Union light welterweight and Commonwealth super lightweight titles in 1995 and 1997 respectively, the latter after a controversial victory over Briton Paul Burke in Lusaka. Bwalya subsequently died from head injuries sustained in the fight.
The National Arts Council of Zambia (NAC) is a Zambian quasi-government agency established in 1994 which began operating in 1996. The organization has the mandate to develop, regulate and promote all forms of arts in Zambia. It works with the Government, private, public and community organizations to develop the arts and strengthen the arts' contribution to Zambia's social-economic agenda. The NAC is the gateway to a network of artists, arts organizations and partners throughout Zambia. Currently, the council has over two hundred and fifty registered arts organizations, eight national arts associations, and fifty promoters.
Mufulira Wanderers are Zambia's most successful football club, based in the Copperbelt town of Mufulira, currently competing in the Zambia Super League for the 2023–24 season after their promotion from the Zambia National Division One.
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.
Mulaza Kaira, also known as Macky II, Macky 2, MK Macky 2, DJ Bugar, and Flava Boy, is a Zambian hip hop musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and Actor. He is known for participating in the ninth season of Big Brother Africa, where he placed third in the competition. Kaira is from Chingola, Zambia, and runs the Macky 2 Hope Foundation, which supports orphans and vulnerable children.
Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya, recognized professionally as B Flow, is a prominent figure in the Zambian entertainment landscape, bearing multifaceted roles as a musician, media personality, humanitarian, philanthropist, and staunch advocate for social justice. Furthermore, he stands as the esteemed founder of "Music For Change," a notable initiative dedicated to leveraging the power of music for social transformation.
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.
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).
Mulenga Mpundu Kapwepwe is a distinguished Zambian author and social activist. Kapwepwe has garnered widespread recognition for her remarkable contributions in the field of women's history, having co-founded the Zambian Women's History Museum.
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.
Cassie Kabwita is a Zambian actress and film producer and rotarian. She is known for her works in the Zambian and Tanzanian film industries. Cassie is the Ambassador for The African Film Festival(TAFF) in Dallas
Mulenga Jestina Mulenga is a Zambian painter, writer, sculptor and photographer.
N'gandwe Mwaba is a Zambian artist, winner of the 2019 Ngoma Award for Most Outstanding Male Visual Artist.
Everisto Mulenga is a Zambian amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal at the 2019 African Games and later qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics by winning the African Qualification Tournament, both at featherweight.
Black Motion is a South African afro house duo formed in Soshanguve, Gauteng and founded in 2010. The group is composed of Roy Thabo Mabogwane (Smol) and Kabelo Koma.
Robert Chindamba Banda, better known by his stage name Roberto is a multi-award winning Zambian artist, singer and songwriter.
Shadreck Mukenge better known by his stage name Mumba Yachi, is a Congolese musician based in Zambia.
Frank Chirwa better known by his stage name Afunika, is a Zambian singer, songwriter and music producer.