James Chamanyazi the acting Secretary General of Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) says it is disappointing that 50 years after independence the music industry is still dead, reports Zambian Eye’s Lameck Phiri.
Speaking to Zambian Eye, Chamanyazi says the industry is not worth being called an industry citing lack of well defined promoters to take artists to higher heights.
“Zambian musicians cannot even be compared to those in the neighbouring Republic of Congo who are well sponsored by people like Kayembe,” Chamanyazi said.
‘‘No wonder you see in most of the songs Kayembe is always mentioned because of what he has done to the music industry,’’ he observed.
When reminded of the the increased number of musicians recording and releasing of new music lately, Chamanyazi said, “The problem is that they are coming as Tuntemba (make shift) not as real musicians’’.
James Chamanyazi said he has not yet decided whether he will contest any position in ZAM elections slated for 27th of this month at Fringila Gardens in Lusaka.
He said that he has a lot of personal things to do currently but he is still recording his music.
Chamanyazi started music 20 years ago as a solo artist. He produced an album titled Chamanyazi which was a hit song in 1994.
He is the award winner of the 2014 Mosi award ‘Best Kalindula Music.
James mwana dont worry Iam coming very soon to Zed. I will revamp the industry. I will make Zambian music rock. Computer music wont compete with mine because I will bring creativity. Craetivity of the 70s will be what I rescuscitate. I will bring maturity and lots of money to the industry. I will make people around the world appreciate Zedian sounds. Just wait a little. Coming soon…
James i agree with you.Some of this music makes me sick as it does not represent society issues but instead it promotes ‘hate’ among atristes.wde want music which highlights callenges and seeks to find solutions to many issues of socio-economic cahllenges.Lets also do collables with international atries may be we can learn one or two ideas.Derogative remarks in some musical lyrics must come to an end.