ZAMBIAN music sensation JC Kalinks has shared the emotional story behind his rise to fame, revealing how his childhood struggles shaped both his life and his music.
In an interview with #Kalemba, JC Kalinks, who is currently enjoying massive airplay, opened up about the challenges he faced growing up, including a troubled home and the hustle to survive.
Born and raised in Chingola, JC revealed that life was not easy, forcing him and his siblings to sell avocados and pieces of cake on the streets just to avoid sleeping on an empty stomach.
He recalls growing up in an environment where money was scarce, and a time when constant conflicts between his parents took a heavy toll on him and his siblings.
“My dad didn’t like me. He made sure I struggled,” JC Kalinks told #Kalemba.
“He wouldn’t leave money for food at home, so my siblings and I had to help our mother by selling avocados.”
JC Kalinks shared that he turned to music not just as a hobby, but as an escape from everything life was throwing at him.
By watching performances of the late Michael Jackson, whose energy and creativity sparked a fire in him, his inspiration was birthed, giving him a bus ticket en route to success.
His turning point came when he joined a local record label called ‘The Clan,’ where he started to build his sound and identity as an artiste though even then, recognition did not come easy.
To promote himself, the ‘Ichibyongo’ hitmaker disclosed that he would walk home from the studio, meeting people along the way and asking them to listen to his music.
He would share songs using Bluetooth and beg club DJs to give him a chance, which earned him the nickname ‘The Bluetooth’, and later became part of his musical identity.
His song Eine Wine, released on September 27, 2024, captured the hearts of many because it spoke directly to the pain, perseverance, and personal growth he had experienced.
JC Kalinks said each verse in the song reflects a real part of his life.
“One thing you should know is that each verse in my ‘Eine wine’ song, serves as a thread in the rich, multilayered narrative of my life, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in my world of triumphant melody and raw,” he stated.
JC Kalinks also revealed that his “The Bluetooth” title, which became an integral part of his introduction in his songs, was born out of his interactions with the community.
However, from the humble beginning of vending avocados to the heights of musical success, JC Kalinks has risen like a phoenix, emerging stronger and more radiant than ever before.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 4, 2025
