BIO-CHALI MULALAMI (Bravo)
Chali “Bravo” Mulalami born in Lusaka, Zambia in December 1975, is a son of Winston Chansa Mulalami a bank librarian and Molly Kabwata, a career secretary, parents who he lost by the age of 16.
Venturing into business straight out of secondary school, Chali Bravo set up his first business at the age of 19 and went through various types of trading before opening up a real estate and property management company.
A natural artist he was always looking for a creative outlet which he maintained through hobbies ranging from abstract painter to graphic designing. But he never quite settled ‘till he tried his hand at music.
Frustrated at failing to bring his own music ideas to life via local studios, he decided to place power in his own hands by learning how to play guitar and produce music. He later opened up Sling Beats Music to control the process of creating music in the studio and distributing it to fans.
Originally looking to perform and release his own works, Chali Bravo deviated and focused on writing, producing for, and promoting other artists’. This he says provided opportunities to process more ideas. And this fact coupled with Sling Beats introduction of a highly popular local fusion of RnB, hip hop and local music provided the platform for the label to change the very fabric of Zambian music. The sheer bulk of hit albums from Sling Beats (as many as 7 albums released in some years) quickly brought about the swift domination of the legendary label and earned it a place in Zambian music history.
Chali Bravo is the most influential living individual in Zambia’s music publishing industry with an official release record of 32 albums (400+ songs). He is also credited with debuting more artists than any other music promoter after facilitating the rise to fame of influential acts like K’millian, General Ozzy, Mampi, Roberto, TY2, Kanji, Alice Chuma, Hamoba, TY2, Namanje and Crystal Shaun.
In 2009, and after an undisputed 7 year run dominating the Zambian music industry, Chali Bravo deviated again and expanded his business morphing it into a media production company where he still stays active working hands-on or overseeing video and audio production, as well as event management.
Apart from working to setup “One Drum Village”, a nonprofit that supports artists in their quest to harness the power of art and the artists’ brand to effect social change in marginalized communities, Chali Bravo is still active as a song writer and music producer for his Sling Beats Music label.
Now 40 years old and still driven by the motto “Dream-It, Think-Through-It, Do-It”, and that same spirit of adventure that continues to extend existing artistic boundaries, Chali Bravo will continue to be a force to reckon with.
BIO-CRI$I$ MR SWAGGER
Chisenga Gander Katongo is a Grammy-Recognised, multi award winner, nominee and multi-faceted entertainer.
Born in Lusaka on May 27th, Crisis Mr. Swagger is the son of Rhoda and Colin Gander, a well accomplished auto mechanic and transportation expert who worked with, Manica Freight Services, a subsidiary of the Anglo American corporation. His biological father, Arnold Kunda is African, a native of Luapula Province in Zambia and his mother is a Zambian Christian. She often sang in church and continues to do so. Crisis Mr. Swagger's interest in performing began at the early age of 10. With time spent at home with his mother listening to country music and later, his step-dad grooving to classic soul music, he developed an appreciation and understanding for music that would later inspire the sound he would craft in years to come.
From the time he was recognised for releasing the first locally produced Hip-Hop album in his birth country Zambia, Officer in Charge was and still stands as one of the most successful Hip-Hop albums from that country. He introduced new acts and garnered local awards for best Hip-Hop artist. He was further introduced to Africa and the rest of the world through MTV Base and Channel-O.
Swagger asserted himself as a world-class creative, trailblazer. Crisis Mr. Swagger released his Mixtape C.R.I.$.I.$ Presents The Diamond Chain and then later got picked up by Clavel Management whie living in the UK, where he released the Grammy-recognised album, Designer in 2008.
As The Music Magazine writer Callum Twigger writes, "I never thought I'd see it: technically flawless east coast (of America) style Hip-Hop made by a Perth-based MC. That MC is Zambian-born, Perth based Crisis Mr. Swagger. The man raps like he was born doing it and his six-track EP feature's production so sharp you could cut yourself. Jesus Christ. I had to listen to Soul Train three times because I couldn't even believe it. The metaphors are complex, Swagger's samples are fearlessly independent of each other, there is little imitation and almost no repetition or recycling. Back to The Future, track one is a stand-out in particular."
Born in Lusaka on May 27th, Crisis Mr. Swagger is the son of Rhoda and Colin Gander, a well accomplished auto mechanic and transportation expert who worked with, Manica Freight Services, a subsidiary of the Anglo American corporation. His biological father, Arnold Kunda is African, a native of Luapula Province in Zambia and his mother is a Zambian Christian. She often sang in church and continues to do so. Crisis Mr. Swagger's interest in performing began at the early age of 10. With time spent at home with his mother listening to country music and later, his step-dad grooving to classic soul music, he developed an appreciation and understanding for music that would later inspire the sound he would craft in years to come.
From the time he was recognised for releasing the first locally produced Hip-Hop album in his birth country Zambia, Officer in Charge was and still stands as one of the most successful Hip-Hop albums from that country. He introduced new acts and garnered local awards for best Hip-Hop artist. He was further introduced to Africa and the rest of the world through MTV Base and Channel-O.
Swagger asserted himself as a world-class creative, trailblazer. Crisis Mr. Swagger released his Mixtape C.R.I.$.I.$ Presents The Diamond Chain and then later got picked up by Clavel Management whie living in the UK, where he released the Grammy-recognised album, Designer in 2008.
As The Music Magazine writer Callum Twigger writes, "I never thought I'd see it: technically flawless east coast (of America) style Hip-Hop made by a Perth-based MC. That MC is Zambian-born, Perth based Crisis Mr. Swagger. The man raps like he was born doing it and his six-track EP feature's production so sharp you could cut yourself. Jesus Christ. I had to listen to Soul Train three times because I couldn't even believe it. The metaphors are complex, Swagger's samples are fearlessly independent of each other, there is little imitation and almost no repetition or recycling. Back to The Future, track one is a stand-out in particular."
Crisis Mr. Swagger continues to rise into stardom and not only is he an artist. He has is a socially responsible individual when he is not wearing his alter ego as the rapper. Swagger has a dream to build his Diamond Chain Media platform as he morphs into an all-encompassing lifestyle brand.
While keeping a balance of family life and work, the rapper show's no signs of slowing down. He has used the previous years to simply build a strong foundation; opening for acts such as Akon, Sean Paul, E-40, DJ Yella of NWA, Curtis Young (Dr. Dre's son) to networking with The D.O.C and furthering relationships with industry people off a stint in Los Angeles California, during his attendance of the Grammy's.
Since relocating to Perth, Australia he has taken the stage at The Beaufort Street Festival, Battle of The Bands, State of The Art Festival to making crowds congregate, throwing their hands up at RAW Perth. His new partner in crime, DJ/Musician; Echelon is an added piece of arsenal. Together with Arnold, a dancer that kills it on stage, the team is unstoppable.
The rapper has been rising to greater heights in recent years. He was quoted saying "It's always a matter of time and persistence. Any artist that plans to have a lasting career also has to learn to evolve with the time's and, thank God I'm a sponge and I will continue to adapt so... don't expect the same thing from Crisis Mr. Swagger."
While keeping a balance of family life and work, the rapper show's no signs of slowing down. He has used the previous years to simply build a strong foundation; opening for acts such as Akon, Sean Paul, E-40, DJ Yella of NWA, Curtis Young (Dr. Dre's son) to networking with The D.O.C and furthering relationships with industry people off a stint in Los Angeles California, during his attendance of the Grammy's.
Since relocating to Perth, Australia he has taken the stage at The Beaufort Street Festival, Battle of The Bands, State of The Art Festival to making crowds congregate, throwing their hands up at RAW Perth. His new partner in crime, DJ/Musician; Echelon is an added piece of arsenal. Together with Arnold, a dancer that kills it on stage, the team is unstoppable.
The rapper has been rising to greater heights in recent years. He was quoted saying "It's always a matter of time and persistence. Any artist that plans to have a lasting career also has to learn to evolve with the time's and, thank God I'm a sponge and I will continue to adapt so... don't expect the same thing from Crisis Mr. Swagger."
BIO-JOE CHIBANGU (The Ambassador)
EARLY LIFE
Chibangu was born on 21 August 1975 in Ndola.
He started doing music in 1995 after he was inspired
by his late father who was a music producer.
He was exposed to public performances at a tender age
of 13 when he performed in churches and schools.
He is said to have written his first song at the age of 15.
After he completed his grade 12 in 1994 in Ndola,
he chose to pursue music full-time.
He went to a musical school in Kitwe where he learned
keyboard as well as to read and write music.
CAREER
He was part of the Rap Prophets,
who were among the first rap groups to gain popularity and used to feature on Sounds Good.
He came to Lusaka in 1997 and joined the versatile B-Sharp Band with which he toured the country.
With the B-Sharp, he was able to perform alongside
the likes of Ackim Simukonda, Maureen Lilanda and Maria Nkhoma.
His first engineering experience was at Feedback
Studio in 1998 before going to Mondo Music in 1999.
He then moved and formed Melt Down with fellow artiste Mainza.
The duo released R&B hits such as "Na Bwalya".
He also worked with Yesu Culture, a gospel and afro rhythm band.
When Chisha Folotiya formed Mondo Music in 1999,
he signed Chibangu as head producer alongside C.R.I.$.I.$ and Mainza Chipenzi.
Before releasing his own album, Chibangu worked and collaborated with other artists.
His debut album was “The Ambassador” and was released under Mondo Music.
In 2000, Chibangu recorded 7 songs with fellow artiste Chilu Lemba.
The most well known was "Shibuka" (Kamale) off Mondo Music’s ‘The Rhythm Nation Project’.
He had experimented with the kalindula sound on JK’s album to such great effect
as evidenced on the song ‘Bana Malama’, a revamped version of Laban Kalunga’s ‘Bashi Malama’
Some of the songs he did include “Chikashana”, “Sera”, “Bamudala”, "Nakupenda" and K'Millian's “I’ll Be Waiting"
He later took a background role in the music industry but continued working with upcoming artists.
In late 2016, Chibangu was featured on the song “I Miss You” by Petersen Zagaze produced by Mzenga Man.
He also featured on a song “Sinichitila Kadala” with the new group 408 Empire in 2017,
which was made available online few hours after Chibangu's death
DEATH
On 3 February 2017, Chibangu died at his home in Thornpark,
Lusaka. He was rushed to the hospital where his death was confirmed.
He was 41 years old. He was put to rest on 7 February 2017 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lusaka.
He was given an artistic send off with various live musical performances held at the Mulungushi Conference Center.
BIO-DADDY ZEMUS
Zambian musician Daddy Zemus,real names Anthony Kafunya
was born in 1968.His self consciousness started at kabulonga
secondary in lusaka together with the likes of Augastine Lungu
and Maiko Zulu.It Was further enhanced through the gathering of
the Rasta community at the university of Zambia grounds where
they used to meet every saturday.
He joined a group called "Zion Dub Squad" with his friend Papa Zai.
The name Zion Dub Squad was coined by Brian Shakarongo,who with
Papa Zai and Ras Tammuz,were propably the three most influential
poeple in shaping Zemus's way of thinking as a musician and
a philosopher.
Central Attractions inc narrates that Zambian artist Daddy Zemus's
first album was called "Salaula" and was produced by Papa Zai.
Zemus was behind the introduction of the Zamragga Vibes to the
Zambian masses.A localised version of internationally recognised
Ragga Music/Dancehall and won wide recognition from his eight
track album "Chibaba".
Zemus's Main musical influences during his transition
were Shabba Ranks and Paul Ngozi.Paul Ngozi was the localised
Version of Rock music fused with local blends.Shabba Ranks
represnted cross-over success and the raggamuffin style
that he adopted as his chosen style of expression.He was
motivated by the will to succeed,so he started evolving as a musician
and as a thinker exploring various sounds and genres diverging from
his earlier Rasta roots Reggea foundation.
Zemus created his own style and brought in the other guys to
flavour it with particular cross-over elements.
According to Central attractions inc,Daddy Zemus's Chiababa album
was a third release by mondo music.It was released on christmas eve
of 1999 and recieved tremendous airplay.It went on to top the sounds
top twenty chart untill april of 2000.The album featured other artists
such as C.R.I.S.I.S, Mainza Chpenzi and Lindi.
The Chibaba album recieved massive airplay and was a favourite among
dancefloors,homes and would go on to transform the complexion of
local music in later years,thus setting the tempo for the
Zambian music renaissance long After Daddy Zemus Himself had passed on.
Songs on this Album included "Anyamata","Juju Lover", "Fatness" and the
title track itself, "Chibaba".
Central Attractions comfirms that Daddy zemus died on 3rd January
2001 after an illness.He was 32 and was survived by a wife
and two children.
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