Reasons Why Chef 187 Withdrew from Stanbic Music Festival 2024

Reasons Why Chef 187 Withdrew from Stanbic Music Festival 2024

Zambian rapper Chef 187 has officially withdrew from the highly anticipated Stanbic Music Festival 2024, which is set on October 11th and 12th. His management issued a social media statement expressing sadness for the decision, citing “events that transpired earlier today” as the cause for the withdrawal.

The announcement read “It is with deep regret that we announce Chef 187’s withdrawal from this year’s Stanbic Music Festival. This decision has not been made lightly but is a necessary response to the events that transpired earlier today.”

Chef 187’s management extended apologies to fans and supporters, hoping to reconnect “under more favorable conditions.”

Stirring Up Social Media

Numerous well-known musicians and business people from Zambia commented on the decision, which generated a great deal of discussion on social media.

Leading Zambian DJ, DJ Showstar cited the treatment of local artists at the event as a major problem. He highlighted the reasons why Chef 187 withdrew from the Stanbic Music Festival 2024.

“- You can’t come to the VIP there’s an international artist. When you’re done performing, you have to either go or be in the ordinary because there’s an international artist… Now you’ve pissed off the one guy who has everyone’s backing by default.” – DJ Showstar questioned Stanbic Music Festival organizer’s conduct towards Chef 187.”

Roberto, a fellow artist, expressed similar worries and demanded that Zambian talent be treated properly. He emphasised that every artist deserves respect and equitable treatment in a thorough piece that covered a number of important issues pertaining to artists’ rights and expectations at such events.

“Artists and their teams must be provided with a VIP area—this should not be up for debate. Every artist deserves their own VIP seating. Artists should be allowed entry to events with their media teams without any restrictions. Every artist and their team must be treated with respect at all times.”

Roberto also echoed the opinion of many in the industry, which is that event planners should respect artists’ technical and hospitality riders regardless of their location. He closed by pleading for Chef 187 to be added back to the roster as soon as the problems were fixed.

He emphasised that each and every artist deserves respect and equitable treatment in a lengthy essay that covered a wide range of important issues about artists’ rights and expectations at such events.

Meanwhile, rapper Slapdee took a more cryptic approach, posting a subliminal message that read, “What goes around comes around ba Robert & Green,” alluding to unresolved tensions among Zambian artists.

A Longstanding Issue

Long-standing grievances regarding the treatment of local artists at events involving foreign performers have been rekindled by the issue surrounding Chef 187’s withdrawal.

Concerns about being underpaid or given less attention than worldwide artists have been voiced by numerous singers from Zambia. The American R&B artist Omarion is the main act at this year’s Stanbic Music Festival, which seems to be the most recent in a string of occasions marred by these conflicts.

Fans and artists alike are hoping that if the discussion carries on, these concerns will lead to a more extensive discussion about how local talent is handled.

The demand for conversation by Roberto, as opposed to harsh actions like blacklisting musicians for voicing their opinions, emphasises the necessity of reforming the Zambian music business.

“To organizers in general, this is an opportunity for open dialogue, not for blacklisting artists who air/express their views,” he stated.

Chef 187 may not be present at the 2024 Stanbic Music Festival, but the discussion about fairness and respect for Zambian musicians is still ongoing.