Chile One Fires Shots at Kwacha Music Awards Over Sponsorship
Zambian music industry debates fairness as Chile One challenges award integrity
Zambian music star Chile One MrZambia has ignited a heated debate in the local entertainment industry after publicly criticizing the Kwacha Music Awards over a proposed sponsorship deal by fellow artist Yo Maps’ record label, Olios Records.
The Controversy Unfolds
In a strongly worded statement, Chile One expressed that it would be a “sign of disrespect” if a record label belonging to an active artist were allowed to sponsor award categories. The “Fwebaku Chaume” hitmaker didn’t mince words when addressing what he sees as a potential conflict of interest.
“Being recognized doesn’t mean we’re desperate for validation. Tatwapaya saana. We do this not for money, but out of love and passion for the music,” Chile One stated.
Industry Integrity at Stake
The controversy centers around concerns that allowing active artists or their labels to fund and sponsor categories could raise questions of bias and compromise the credibility of the awards. Chile One emphasized that while sponsorship is welcome and necessary for the growth of the industry, fairness and integrity must always come first.
Awards Platform Under Scrutiny
Chile One highlighted that the Kwacha Music Awards remain one of the few platforms where artists truly feel appreciated and connected with their fans. His concern is that compromising the award’s credibility could damage this important connection between artists and their audience.
Recent Developments
The tension has escalated with Yo Maps withdrawing from the Kwacha Music Awards 2025 amid tension with Chile One. The controversy stems from concerns that if Yo Maps won, he would be paying himself due to his label’s sponsorship involvement.
Industry Reaction
This statement has already sparked debate among fans and industry players, with some backing Chile One’s call for transparency, while others view sponsorship as a positive sign of growth for the music industry.
The Bigger Picture
The Kwacha Music Awards, established in 2017 by Sun FM Zambia, were created to encourage and promote originality and excellence in the Zambian music industry. The current controversy raises important questions about maintaining the awards’ founding principles as the industry grows.
What’s Next?
Chile One concluded his message by acknowledging that every stakeholder can contribute sponsorship, but warned that the standards and practices of fairness that have always defined the awards should not be tampered with.
As the Zambian music industry continues to evolve, this controversy highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing commercial growth with artistic integrity. The outcome of this dispute could set important precedents for how the industry handles similar conflicts of interest in the future.
The debate continues as fans and industry stakeholders await the Kwacha Music Awards organizers’ response to these serious allegations about award transparency and fairness.
