Zambia’s most happening musicians crowned

Following record-breaking nominations north of 100,000 fans and months of voting, Zambia’s most happening musicians were finally unveiled at the Mosi Zambia Music Awards (ZMAs) held at Lusaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday (April 29).

Chef 187 was voted best male artist and Kan2 best female artist. Jay Rox took the award for best album with Outside the Rox, while Amayenge Asoza received the lifetime achievement award. B. East by Bobby East came top in the Hip Hop/ Rap Album category and Petersen Zagaze was named as the best songwriter.

The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism and Arts Hon. Jean Kapata, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Stephen Mwansa, Zambian Breweries Managing Director Annabelle Degroot, National Arts Council Chairperson Mulenga Kapwepwe, and other high profile dignitaries.

Commenting on the winners Degroot said: “The hours you spent penning lyrics, in recording studios and shooting music videos with the type of quality and standard that gets you and the nation noticed across the continent deserves to be recognised and applauded.”

Mrs Kapata said: “With support from partners such as Zambian Breweries, the government can promote Zambian art and culture to greater profitable heights capable of making a significant contribution to the country’s GDP.”

“This year the awards are particularly exciting and as a ministry we are proud to be associated with the Mosi Day of Thunder as well. As a nation we will be celebrating our music and our culture. This will go a long way in promoting not only our tourism but also our cultural heritage.”

The awards ceremony, which has grown to be the highlight of the music industry calendar in the last four years, brought together the nation’s best performers, producers and artistes for a celebration of all genres from Kalindula to hip-hop, and from RnB to rap.

Many of the winners are set to perform at the Mosi Day of Thunder music festival in Livingstone on April 30, 2016 alongside South African rapper Cassper Nyovest, in a move that aims to increase the audience participation of the annual celebration of music, arts and culture.

The full results of the 2016 Mosi Lager Zambian Music awards are:

Best Live Recording Album: I am Lenshina By Mumba Yachi

Best Lead Guitarist: David Andish

Best Bass Guitarist: David Kasochi

Best Keyboard Player: Jones Samalama

Best Drummer: Smith Phiri

Best Songwriter: Petersen Zagaze

Best Studio Music Producer: DJ Mzenga Man

Life-time Achievement Award: Amayenge Asoza

Best Dancehall/RnB album: Outside the Rox By Jay Rox

Hip Hop/ Rap Album: B. East By Bobby East

Best Traditional/ Kalindula Album: Salary By Angela Nyirenda

Best Female Artist: Kan2

Best Male Artist: Chef 187

Best Album: Outside the Rox By Jay Rox

Best Female Radio DJ: Linzie Radio 4 FM ZNBC

Best Male Radio DJ: Showstar Hone FM

Best New/Upcoming Artist: Wezi