AMID the rising drama linked to the 2025 Kwacha Music Awards and the brewing tension between two chart-topping artistes, Yo Maps and Chile One, Amos Chipasha, alias TLow is adding his alto voice, breaking the silence to call out the growing rift among fellow artistes.
The singer, songwriter challenged fellow musicians to reflect on when they would stop competing against one another and start moving as a united force, by uplifting each other’s success and setting their sights in dominating not just Africa, but the global stage.
This year’s Kwacha Music Awards was thrown into turmoil following a dramatic announcement by music star Elton Mulenga, ‘Yo Maps’, who officially withdrew from this year’s awards to instead participate as a sponsor.
Yo Maps’ manager Evans Nsongela, famously known as DJ Kandeke, announced that Yo Maps’ record label, Olios Records, would not be chasing awards this year but instead wanted to sponsor two categories in which he is part of the nominees.
“Olios Records would like to sponsor two categories at this year’s awards: Best Upcoming Artiste – Central Province and Best Male Artiste” Kandeke said in a statement, saying the move was about giving back to the industry rather than seeking personal glory.
However, the announcement quickly sparked outrage with Obed Chileshe popularly known Chile One, who has long shared a musical rivalry with Yo Maps, being among the first to respond, stating, allowing an active artiste’s label to sponsor awards categories would be a sign of disrespect.
“Being recognised doesn’t mean we are desperate for validation… fairness and integrity should always come first,” stated Chile One.
Following the tension, TLow described the fracas as backward and damaging, not only driving a wedge between artistes but also splitting fan bases and weakening the very foundation of the music industry.
“It’s so sad how we keep fighting each other, we have even made our fans get into battles of magnitude that they don’t even understand and their ignorance to support their favorites has caused so much damage to the industry that they don’t even realise what this will do to the next generation,” he expressed.
“When will artistes stand as ONE in the industry and be proud of each other’s achievements and conquer Africa and the globe?”
TLow pointed out that while South Africa has successfully taken Amapiano to the globe stage, and Nigeria has solidified Afrobeats as the continents leading genre, even Malawi has outshined with more AFRIMMA nominations in the Southern region this year.
Yet in Zambia, he lamented, the focus remains on ego battles, arguing over who’s the biggest, rather than celebrating each other’s talent and pushing the industry forward.
He further urged artistes to come together, emphasising that only through unity can the Zambian music industry reach its full potential on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Musicians set the record straight, sharing that an active artiste cannot sponsor an award.
By Sharon Zulu and George Musonda
Kalemba September 15, 2025
