Music Blacklisted! Rich Bizzy Alleges Political Retribution After Opposition Rally Performance
Zambian artist Rich Bizzy has publicly decried the cancellation of his performances at government programs, attributing it to his participation in an opposition political rally. He advocates for equal opportunities for musicians based on talent, not political affiliation, while the Zambia Association of Musicians confirms his exclusion and investigates the matter.
Zambian Afrobeat and dancehall artist Rich Chilufya, widely known by his stage name Rich Bizzy, has expressed serious concerns over the recent cancellation of his performances at government-sponsored events. These cancellations, specifically affecting his engagements at the SERENJE and NKEYEMA Agriculture & Commercial Shows, reportedly occurred because he performed at an opposition political rally, leading the artist to call for fairness, tolerance, and equal treatment within the music industry.
In a public statement, Rich Bizzy underscored that his profession as a musician is his primary livelihood, supporting his family and team. He clarified that, like many artists, he accepts opportunities to perform for diverse audiences and events, viewing his role as an entertainer who inspires and communicates through music, rather than one who creates division. He pointed out the apparent inconsistency where numerous other musicians regularly perform at rallies for various political parties without encountering similar consequences. Rich Bizzy questioned the differential treatment, especially given his music is described as "clean and respectful," devoid of insults, attacks, or negative mentions of any individual.
The controversy stems from Rich Bizzy's involvement in producing and performing political campaign songs. He, along with fellow artistes Chester, Shenky, and Kadafi, supported Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile. Rich Bizzy maintains that creating and performing songs to promote a candidate or event falls within the scope of artistic expression and professional work, asserting that artists should not be penalized for exercising their right to perform or for earning an honest living.
The Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) has confirmed Rich Bizzy's removal from several performance line-ups over the past 24 hours. ZAM President Brian Bwembya shared this development in a Facebook post, indicating that the association is actively gathering information to ascertain the definitive reasons behind the decision to exclude the popular artiste, also known as Tolo Wamidanso, from national events. Despite the artist's claims and ZAM's confirmation, no official statement has been issued by the government regarding his reported removal from performance schedules.
Rich Bizzy passionately advocates for a system where professional opportunities for artists are based solely on talent, conduct, and professionalism, rather than political affiliation. He firmly believes that music should serve as a unifying force, not a cause for discrimination, and emphasizes that a healthy democracy respects diverse political views while ensuring equal opportunities for all its citizens, including those in the artistic community.