Ty2 Enjoys ‘The Experience’

We felt privileged to host Zambian singing sensation Ty2 (real name Mbangweta Mwendaweli) as our guest on the latest edition of The Chanters Lodge Experience with The Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild – that’s our regular radio show airing on Zambezi 107.7 fm every Sunday night at 20.30 hrs and streaming live on the internet. That’s Ty2 in the picture above. “How did you get the name Ty2”? Milli Jam wanted to know at the top of the show. Ty2 explained that when he was at school he had (wrongly!) been considered short in stature – as was the then president of Zambia Frederick Titus Chiluba. His school mates had christened him Titus 2 and he had shortened this to Ty2 for the stage and the name had stuck! His break through into singing had come initially from singing in church. People likened his voice to Shaggy and Buster Rhymes and he liked both these artists.

Ty2 told listeners he’d been in the music business for ten years and had released three albums with a fourth – ‘Forever’ recorded and close to release. He also had his own company Big Buoy Ltd handling micro finance, buying and selling vehicles as well as operating a boutique in Lusaka. He and his wife are also planning to open a phone shop soon. Married with two children, Ty2 explained that he was in Livingstone for two shows, one at Elite Apartments and one at Vision Pub and Restaurant. He said both shows had been packed and his performance had gone down very well. He said the most popular of his tracks at his shows was ‘Smile’.
The music on the show was excellent as usual. We opened with the current UK number one ‘Read All About It’ by Professor Green featuring Emile Sande, back to back with Bruno Mars and ‘Runaway Baby’ – real rock and roll that one. Of course we featured two of Ty2’s tracks – ‘VIP’ very recently recorded and ‘Spotlight’ featuring Kaufela (aka George Soulchild). Super track ‘Spotlight’ and Milli Jam confirmed that the track was hot in the Livingstone clubs. Milli Jam himself featured ‘She Doesn’t Mind’ by Sean Paul (he does love that one!). Our oldie of the week was the Bee Gees with ‘Night Fever’. Listeners found it tough to tell us who was singing the track – we’ll make it easier next week! We also featured ‘When I Was A Youngster’ by Rizzle Kicks and Amy Winehouse ft Nas with ‘Like Smoke’ from her upcoming posthumous album.

Ty2 told listeners that his ambition remained to become known internationally for his music. He would one day love to win an MTV Award. On an international note we were delighted to get messages during the show from both London and Paris from people listening to the programme live on the internet.

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CRI$I$ Mr Swagger

George da Soulchild writes:

C.R.I.$.I.$ or Crisis Mr. Swagger is Zambia’s premiere Hip-Hop artist with the fastest growing international presence of any of our artists. He is currently is working on a new album to be titled ‘B.I.G (Business is Good).’ This forthcoming release is part of a major plan as the artist moves to another level in his career. The album boasts high powered production from Canada’s Bos Beats on the song ‘Make The Crowd Go’. It also has production by fast rising US producer Youg Fyre. Fyre has also recently produced a song called ‘How To Hate’ for Lil Wayne and was in charge of production for T-Pain’s PreVolver Mixtape. B.I.G will also include production from C.R.I.$.I.$. The album track listing has not been finalized but, Houston rapper Lil Flip is confirmed to make an appearance on a song called ‘Since You Hate Me’. The song has been officially released and is available on iTunes and at other online stores.

C.R.I.$.I.$ is currently nominated for the Channel-O Music Video Award in the category for MOST GIFTED AFRICAN SOUTHERN VIDEO. His song ‘The Fire Inside – Produced by Bos Beats and Young Fyre’ will be competing with some of the best acts out of Southern Africa. Voting closes on the 27th of October, 2011 and he is scheduled to perform at the awards ceremony.

This year already saw C.R.I.$.I.$ win a BEFFTA Award for BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: In February, 2011 he was nominated for the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Arts Award (BEFFTA). He faced stiff competition as he was competing against M.I (Nigeria), 2 Face (Nigeria), Ali Kiba (Tanzania) and Faly Ipupa (Congo DR). Based on a global vote, the BEFFTA Award for BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT was given to C.R.I.$.I.$.

In 2010 he shared the stage with Akon and Sean Paul in Harare Zimbabwe. It was a successful show with an attendance of 48,000 people at the Harare National Sports Stadium which was was almost filled to capacity. He also performed at an MTV Event during the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa sharing the stage with Liquid Deep & Zulu Boy

C.R.I.$.I.$. aka Crisis Mr. Swagger is a Zambian born Hip-Hop Artist/Producer/CEO of his own independent music label called Diamond Chain Services in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa. 35,000+ CD’s and Cassettes sold in Lusaka alone, C.R.I.$.I.$.’s album Officer in Charge (released January 2005). First hip-hop record, produced and released in Zambia by a Zambian artist. Second album, The Diamond Chain Mixtape reached another milestone by becoming the first Zambian Mixtape to be released commercially in Zambia. 2008-Released the album called, ‘Designer.’ C.R.I.$.I.$. isn’t showing signs of stopping as he continues to venture out of Zambia and into the international Hip-Hop market.

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Vote For C.R.I.$.I.$!



Zambia’s International Hip-Hop artist, C.R.I.$.I.$ has been nominated for the Channel-O video music Awards for MOST GIFTED AFRICAN SOUTHERN VIDEO. The show will be aired on DSTV Channel 320 for everybody in the African Continent. Vote for C.R.I.$.I.$ on here http://channelo.dstv.com/artist/c-r-i-i/

C.R.I.$.I.$. started rapping at age 10 after hearing music by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious, NWA, Kool G. Rap, RUN DMC, Boogie Down Productions, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd. It’s hard to get a brief biography from this man due to a great number of achievements under his belt.

He is currently working on his fourth album titled ‘B.I.G (Business is Good).’ The album is an addition to a bigger business structure and transformation that the artist is undergoing. This is his most anticipated album since he released the first Zambian Hip-Hop album, ‘Office in Charge’ in January 2005.

A role model and a natural born leader, C.R.I.$.I.$ has for many years strived for perfection in everything that he puts his mind to- all while playing a vital role in his community. 2011 started off with a bang, as his new single ‘The Fire Inside’ took the number one spot across the African continent on the Channel O African Video charts. In February he walked off with a BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Arts Awards) for Best International Act, beating out musicians such as Sade, 2 Face, Ali Kiba, M.I. and Fally Ipupa.

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ZoneFam Up For An Award!



Zone Fam’s “Mbama” video is up for a channel O Award in the Most Gifted Newcomer category reports George Kaufela.

Zone Fam’s Brand New Music Video “Mbama” Premiered on Channel O’s “O Express” on the 24th of July 2011. “Mbama” is the latest single off Zone Fam’s soon to be released album “The Business (Foreign Exchange)” – it is also one of the songs that the group performed on the Big Brother Amplified Stage on the 3rd of July 2011; and was well received by viewers. This is the first time the group has been nominated and we hope they win.

Zone Fam is the Premiere Hip Hop Group in Zambia. Deriving their name from a studio they frequented in their earlier days ‘The Zone’. The main group consists of four individuals; Dope G, Jay Rox, Yung Verbal and Thugga. The group was formed in 2007 and is managed by Duncan Sodala CEO of Slam Dunk Records, Zambia.

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The Chanters Lodge Experience


As you may know we have a weekly radio programme on Zambezi FM local radio in Livingstone every Sunday night between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs. (Zambian time). You can now listen live, just click that link and go to ‘listen live’.

Anyway, every Sunday night we give a dinner for two to the first person to text us the answer to a simple question – usually we ask which country our guests come from – we have a guest on every show, which is a lively mixture of hit pop music, local and international, and chat.

This photo was taken by Rein Coppens when he and his wife Jeannetta featured on the show and pictures me deciding who’d won!

Thanks Rein!

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Oga Family


George da Soulchild aka Kaufela (above), co-presenter and technician on our Sunday night radio show The Chanters Lodge Experience writes this week about ‘Organised Family’ a popular Zambian band.

It took them two years since their last release before their cross over album came along and you might remember them from the radio hits like ‘Sinizakutamangila’ and ‘Missed Call’, singing trio Organised Family aka Oga Family released their fourth album entitled ‘Pick Na Fosholo’ early last year which earned them an Ngoma Award at the end of 2010. Organised Family comprises Kent Singoyi, Rex Singoyi and Sylvester Masumba. The trio released their debut album in 2004, and popular hits such as ‘Oga Oga’ received massive airplay on the local music scene.

According to the groups’ lead vocalist Kent Singoyi aka Oga Kent, the new album symbolises the life of miners and encourages people to work even harder. “We worked very hard on this project because we realised that hard work was the only way people would recognise our music in this competitive industry,” Singoyi said. The album consists of the songs Bottle Top, Kuonana, Love Attack, Msizani, Halt, Dona, Vintu Vamanje, Musomba, Hungry Lion and Body Lotion just to mention a few. The group’s latest album was one of the hottest albums last year in Zambia, being sold out in most of the music stores and outlets across the country, at the same time receiving massive radio air plays on radio stations and radio chart rotations. It topped the Sounds top 20 for 6 weeks straight. As if that was not enough, the album also enjoyed massive plays in the clubs/pubs including featuring at weddings and kitchen parties. I guess their hard work paid off.

Despite being nominated in two categories with JK and not winning anything at the Born and Bred Awards which were dominated by fellow musician JK who picked up 5 awards on the night, the group got the last laugh as they got the best of JK by picking up a Ngoma Award in the highly contested category.

The Group plans to tour the whole country and then eventually tour outside the country by the end of 2011. Just last week they set Sesheke on fire, here are just some of the countries that the group might tour before the end of the year, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana Kenya and the UK .If you are in any of these countries mention above check your local listing I recommend you check these guys out you won’t be disappointed.

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C.R.I.$.I.$ Wins International Award

George da Soulchild’s weekly blog contribution.

Chisenga Katonga, Mr. Swagger, aka C.R.I.$.I.$, the Zambian hip-hop musician has scooped USA BEFFTA award 2011 in the BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT category. The Zambian beat the other competitors in this heavy-weighty category that included Sade (UK), Fally Ipupa (DRC Congo), 2 Face (Nigeria), Ali Kiba (Tanzania) and M.I. (Nigeria) and myself, CRI$I$ Mr. Swagger (Zambia).

Mr. Swagger in his e-mail to UKZAMBIANS said:

“This category was tightly contested and, I must admit, I have a lot of respect for the other nominees. I see how hard they work and, I think that they are great artists. Fortunately and thank God, I won the award and it will be going home to Zambia with me.

“This achievement is a humbling experience for me and, I am glad that Zambia is slowing being recognized for the part that it’s playing in the entertainment industry.

“I hereby wish to take this opportunity to thank you for all the great support that you have given me. I ask that you may continue to support me and, as you know, I am there for you when and if you need me to help you with anything. I am never too busy for my people”, Said Mr. Swagger.

He said the Award is dedicated “to my new born daughter, ‘Tia Larae Katongo.’”

The BEFFTA Awards were launched in London in October 2009. This year, the awards debut in Atlanta as an integral part of the African-American celebrations to commemorate Black History Month in the USA…nice one Mr Swagger.

info-ukzambians.com

You can follow Mr Swagger @hiphopcrisis on Twitter

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Dandy Krazy’s Outburst!


George da Soulchild, co-presenter of our weekly Sunday night radio show The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient, writes about the recent outburst by one of Zambia’s best known local artists (above).

“Dandy Krazy could be the most hated local artist at the moment thanks to the comments he made during a performance at Breakpoint in Lusaka recently! Dandy Krazy‘s outbursts against both the Ngoma, and Born & Bred awards has raised a lot of concern among fellow artists and the Zambian Association of Musician (ZAM) alike, all agreeing that the behaviour exhibited by Dandy was unacceptable.

The incident took place a fortnight ago during a performance, when Dandy said he didn’t believe in the Born & Bred Awards or The Ngoma Awards because the prize monies they offered was insufficient and only belittled the winning artists. He further described the Born and Bred Awards as useless and the Ngoma Awards as rubbish!

The Born and Bred Awards is an initiative by Innocent Kalaluka the producer of Smooth Talk which came about to encourage local musicians to produce quality music videos that can also play on international music video TV. Currently K1m is the prize money. ZAM is one of the prestigious musician organizations that hold the annual Ngoma Awards. Many are of the view that Dandy should apologise because insulting these awards is like insulting the entire music industry in Zambia.”

(Ed – As a previous winner of an Ngoma Award, I fully agree!)

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C.R.I.$.I.$ Mr Swagger Up For A BEFFTA

George da Soulchild, co-presenter of The Chanters Lodge Experience with The Milli Jam Ingredient, our weekly Sunday night radio show on 107.7 fm in Livingstone, updates us weekly on the Zambian music scene:-

“Zambian Hip-Hop artist Chisenga Katongo, also known as C.R.I.$.I.$ Mr Swagger, has been nominated for the BEFFTA Awards to take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta next month.

The Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television & Arts Awards, is a prestigious international event and a distinctly special awards ceremony, honouring the best entertainment and showbiz personalities in the black community in the UK, USA and globally.

“C.R.I.$.I.$. Mr. Swagger is nominated in The Best International Act alongside artists such as Sade (UK), M.I. (Nigeria), 2Face (Nigeria), Ali Kiba (Tanzania) and Fally Ipupa (Congo DRC). While those nominated in the Best Male Act include: Usher, Big Andre, Ludacris, TreySongz and Maxwell,”.

“Eventual winners of the awards will be decided by public/global vote, which will be carried out both online and also by sms. Each nominee will be given a nominee number for sms voting and also a link for online voting, which the artist can give their fans for them to vote.”

And Chisenga, who is currently working on a new album (B.I.G), in an interview said he had been persistent in trying to keep his music international and as such he was happy to get the recognition. “My New Year has kicked off on a good note. For a long time, some people have tried to discourage me and told me that it’s impossible for my music to be recognised internationally, but I have been persistent with my dream and I am far from over”. He said.

“The nomination is a good sign of where things are going. Most recently, we also saw my song ‘The Fire Inside’ take the number 1 spot on Channel-O across Africa, despite some sceptics not recognising it here in Zambia. I’m quite happy with the way things are going and, being placed among other great artists is an honour in itself. The nomination means a lot to me and Zambian music. I thank the BEFFTA panel for being able to recognise my work. Above all, I thank God.”

The BEFFTA Awards were launched in London in October 2009. This year, the awards will debut in Atlanta on February 23 as an integral part of the African-American celebrations to commemorate Black History Month in the USA.

Wishing C.R.I.$.I.$ the best of luck!

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Rollcall 2010 – Farewell


George da Soulchild aka Kaufela, co-presenter of our Sunday night radio show on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm in Livingstone writes about those in the entertainment world in Zambia who sadly passed on in 2010. The photo is of Mike Tabor who was a good friend of mine and a great DJ.

Roll Call 2010 (Final Farewell)

The past 12 months have seen the death of individuals who have played a notable role in the arts and entertainment industry in Zambia. Today we pay tribute to some of the well known faces no longer with us.

Renowned actor and Muvi TV Director of Programmes Augustine Lungu died on March 20 after an illness. Lungu featured in numerous theatre productions and represented Zambia at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival together with Benne Banda in the two man act ‘Headers and Footers’. An avid supporter of the arts, Lungu once served as Chairman of Lusaka Theatre Club as well as the National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia. He also presented the ‘Kwachamania’ show on ZNBC, as well as the ‘Ready for Marriage’ reality show and ‘Breakfast With The Boys’ on Muvi TV.

Celtel star search finalist Levins Mwanza died on October 11 from kidney failure. The 29 year old singer had established himself as a strong contender in the 2006 singing competition, before being eliminated in the latter stages of the show. Mwanza was among a new breed of up-coming musicians to emerge from the Celtel show and went on to record chart success with his song Nalema. Prior to his death he was recording an album with RomaSide studio called ‘Tizakumana’.

The local radio industry also mourned the passing of Mike ‘The Maverick’ Tabor, who died in Lusaka on 17 October. Born in Harlem, NYC on December 13 1946, Micheal Aloysius Tabor joined the Black Panther party, but fled the US in the early 1970s after he and several Panther members were accused of conspiring to bomb public buildings in New York City. Although the group was acquitted of all charges, Tabor did not return to the US, travelling first to Algeria and eventually to Zambia where he made his home. He was one of the first DJs on Radio 4. At the time of his death he was working for 5 FM radio in Lusaka. He is survived by his wife Priscilla Matanda, a daughter and three sons.

Ragamuffin artist Crystal Shaun died on December 4. Born Webster Katongo Chilufya, the 27 year old rapper developed his own style of poetry with Bemba lyrics. He also collaborated with several top local artistes including TY2, Leo Muntu, K’millian, Hamooba and Kaufela. He is survived by a wife and son.

May their souls rest in peace as we carry their dreams forward.

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