DESIST FROM SUCH ZAM WARNS AMIDST ROBERTO’S ‘NO ZAM PAID MEMBERSHIP, NO SHOWS’ THREATS

Social media got into a frenzy after singer Roberto shared a post that suggested that musicians who would not pay and register with the Zambian Association of Musicians by 20th February, 2025 would not be allowed to perform at shows, if they do – the event organisers would be given a penalty.

The Zambia Association of Musicians founded in 1979 as Zambian Union of Musicians is an organization whose sole purpose is to protect Zambian artists, their music, help in networking, advocate for artists and their interests among others.

In recent years, there has been dispute between the association and Zambian artists. Most artists in the country have distanced themselves from the association citing unfairness in their operations with one of dispute of not is singer Yo Maps‘ recent remarks in a statement where he accused the association of issuing statements when says something deemed not right but never when he is being attacked.

With the association’s elections near, artists such as B Flow and Roberto have been advocating for a proper functioning association – persuading artists to participate in the association elections and attend meetings in order to deal and rectify the issues they so much complain about.

In an announcement on his Facebook page, which the Zambian Association of Musicians (ZAM) has distanced it self from, Top RnB/Afrobeat artist Roberto on undisclosed authority issued a statement many artists and social users have denounced as it was regarded as a ‘threat’ to artists’ main source of income as the singer said, “only paid up ZAM members will be hired for shows in Zambia.”

The singer further said members will be issued membership cards, events organisers risk being punished if they hired non paid members and the deadline for registration is 20th February, 2025. Rapper Bobby East did not see this a great course of action as he wrote, “Dear ZAM, threatening the only source of revenue for your potential members isn’t the way to draw them in. Do better!”

Macky 2’s manager shared his thoughts on the matter as he wrote in response to Bobby East’s post, “It’s a necessary body that all of us would happily support and subscribe to. They just need to do better. This isn’t the way.”

In a statement issued on 12th February, the association’s secretariat clarified its standing on the matter as it said, “ZAM distances itself from such statements and further cautions anyone or institution that is misrepresenting the association and putting its name in disrepute to desist from such.” Many social media users are puzzled, in what capacity was singer Roberto issuing the statement? They wondered.

For now those with grievances with the association have up to 20th February,2025 to renew or register as paid members of the association in order to be eligible to vote or stand in the upcoming association elections at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).