Zambian rapper Chef 187 has withdrawn from this year’s Stanbic Music Festival following incidents of disrespect and unprofessionalism from event organizers. Reports have surfaced that Chef 187 was denied access to the VIP section, which was reserved exclusively for international artists Omarion and Musiq Soulchild. After his performance, Chef 187 would have been forced to either leave the venue or remain in the general audience area, while the VIP area stayed off-limits for Zambian artists.
In addition, during his sound check, Chef 187 was reportedly asked to stop to allow Omarion to conduct his own sound check. This treatment has sparked outrage across the Zambian music industry, with many questioning the unfair distinction between local and international acts at the event.
Fellow artist Yo Maps was one of the first to publicly support Chef 187’s decision, condemning the lack of professionalism displayed by the event’s promoters. He highlighted the unfair conditions, including local artists having to wait long hours for sound checks and receiving limited performance time. Yo Maps emphasized that Zambian artists deserve the same respect and treatment as international performers, especially given their significant contributions to the local and global music scenes.
Since Chef 187’s withdrawal, numerous other artists and industry players have rallied behind him, sharing their frustration over the ongoing disregard for Zambian talent. The incident has ignited widespread debate about the need for equal treatment of local artists, with many calling for immediate reforms in how such events are organized.
This moment marks a critical turning point for Zambia’s music industry. As more voices come forward in support of Chef 187, it’s clear that local talent is no longer willing to accept second-class treatment. The festival organizers have yet to issue an official response, but this incident is likely to leave a lasting impact on how Zambian artists are valued in the future.
