Thursday, March 28, 2024

Row brews over 2016 Mosi awards, Zambian musician threaten to boycott event

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Macky 2
Macky 2

Row brews over 2016 Mosi awards, Zambian musician threaten to boycott event Some Zambian musicians led by celebrated Hip-hop artiste Macky 2 have threatened to boycott this year’s Mosi Zambian Music Awards until the demands are met.

The artists are demanding that the Zambian Music Awards should be held in a city outside Lusaka as the previous editions were all held in the capital city.

They are also demanding that the money paid when an artist wins an award be revised to a minimum of K 15,000.

The musicians also want the awards to recognize the most active acts from each of the 10 provinces of Zambia.

According to a statement posted on Macky 2 Facebook page on behalf of other artistes, they said “It is our view that these awards are a pure mockery of our music and the people that produce it. We are very much aware that these awards have been used as a conduit by individuals who drain the coffers of the sponsors of these awards with intentions of enriching themselves.”

“As artists we refuse to be used in this criminal act. If these awards are meant to promote Zambian music we demand that the artist must benefit.”

The statement further says that if the Zambian Music Awards fail to honour these demands “No credible music artist will be part of this year’s awards.”

But Zambia Association of Musicians President Njoya Tee has called for calm from the musicians as their grievances are being addressed.

In a statement, Njoya Tee said, “The Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) would like confirm that it has a meeting with Zambian Breweries on the 9th of March 2016 over the Zambia Music Awards (ZMA’s) to be held at the ZAM national secretariat in the Showgrounds. We have already shared our reservations about the Awards and remain hopeful that they will be addressed more especially that the Awards are under a new management team.”

He said a comprehensive statement will be made afterwards.

“We urge all musicians to remain calm as we approach the matter professionally. However, ZAM is concerned that some musicians still want to use other voices than “THE UNITED with ONE VOICE” channel to air their grievances. We encourage all to subscribe as members.”

Below is the statement from the musicians.

PAY US WELL OR DON’T INVOLVE US —- MUSICIANS

As Zambian music artists we will not be part of the mockery of musicians and music in Zambia by participating in the MOSI MUSIC AWARDS if the following demands won’t be met.

It is shameful that our local awards have remained nothing but just a publicity stunt for individuals and certain organisations.

As artists it is our understanding that anything that qualifies to be called awards cannot be void of monetary value but what we have witnessed in Zambia today is the exact opposite of that.

We have noticed some private individuals and organisations benefiting from the awards instead of the artists and Djs.

It is undeniable that Zambian music has improved compared to what it was a few years ago. Music managers, DJs and producers across the country have been investing heavily in the art and when its time to be rewarded they are given K3000 or K5000.

The cost of music equipment keeps going up and operational costs for the studios too are even more unfriendly for the flourishing of the industry so anyone who seeks to promote the industry must appreciate these realities.

It is our view that these awards are a pure mockery of our music and the people that produce it. We are very much aware that these awards have been used as a conduit by individuals who drain the coffers of the sponsors of these awards with intentions of enriching themselves.

As artists we refuse to be used in this criminal act. If these awards are meant to promote Zambian music we demand that the artist must benefit.

We also noticed that only Lusaka based artists were invited for the launch of the ZAMBIA MUSIC AWARDS and the absence of artists from the Copperbelt, and other provinces was too loud to ignore. We believe this was not a mistake but a designed act of discrimination aiming at undermining those artists who do not live within the borders of Lusaka.

This was a huge insult on the calls for unity that we have recently been treated to by our leaders. We also wish to distance ourselves from this act as musicians because we are for the unity of our beautiful country.

Working with the Lusaka based musicians may be the most convenient thing to do but it is the worst form of arrogance towards those that have chosen to live in other parts of the country.

In view of the above we demand for the following:
1) the 4th Mosi Music awards be held in a city outside Lusaka
2) the money for the awards be revised with minimum being K15000.
3) Each province must be recognised by awarding the most active and talented artist in respective provinces.

Failure to address these concerns No credible music artist will be part of this year’s awards
and instead of certain individuals siphoning money from Zambia Breweries in our name let them do it in their own names.

BY ZAMBIAN MUSICIANS

15 COMMENTS

  1. I like this ‘fight for your rights’ mentality that is now prevailing in Zambia. We are normally associated with docility but now things are changing. People have learnt to band together and fight for a common cause. Let us keep it up and we shall prosper as a people.

  2. Awards are a recognition. Good music doesn’t need awards to make money for the producer/artist.
    Its your ZAM that’s sick that requires organising.

  3. ….Zambia breweries has a monopoly of its product in Zambia so it does not need vigorous adverts ….so what is their gain in sponsoring these music awards..??….nothing at all…it will be business as usual whether the awards takes place or not….Mark II was boasting of owning a Hammer…obviously to him a K5,000 is nothing to him but ma mean a lot to others…such reactions are supposed to

    • ..are supposed to be collective..ZAM was supposed to meet and make a resolution over Mark II’s concerns…and not a one man army style

  4. In a statement, Njoya Tee said, “The Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) would like confirm that it has a meeting with Zambian Breweries on the 9th of March 2016 over the Zambia Music Awards (ZMA’s) to be held at the ZAM national secretariat in the Showgrounds. We have already shared our reservations about the Awards and remain hopeful that they will be addressed more especially that the Awards are under a new management team.”

  5. Comment: marcky 2 isn’t getting it right when venue is lusaka. Lsk is centrally located 4 all destinations in ZAMBIA. tel 4 example if venue is chipata, how many pilot say 4rm solwezi, mwinilunga, kawambwa, nakonde even copper belt find it easy to travel? of u artists can travel coz u expecting something. but those who just attending to give support to winners will find it hard. think of yo funs 4rm all parts of the country, LSK is just central, unnecessary debate aside.

  6. MACKY2 is very right, do you think Zambia is Lusaka even other parts should be considered . Get it clear Zambian Breweries got no problem but the organizer, they do pocket Money meant for hustling musician and give them.( ubufungau bakemba).To those who don’t have privilege to shift to Lusaka like up coming Musicians lucking to be heard and recognized.PEOPLE of zambai twilakwata umwasu ati nshalya nganalanda

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