In a now deleted post shared by one ‘Gaston Kopala,’ who is supposedly in top Zambian rapper Chef 187’s management revealed that the management will not be taking anything less that 120,000 Zambian Kwacha (equivalent to $4,202.48 USD) if they booked the rapper through him.
Gaston Kopala share a status on his Facebook as he wrote, “Attention ladies and gentlemen, any bookings that come through me this year for Chef 187 will be K120,000.” Neither rapper Chef 187 nor his official manager Lukundo Siwale who goes by the handle @thatguysuper has made any comment regarding the new booking fee revealed by Gaston Kopala.
Unlike other artists’ who have previously publicly announced the cost of their services. Chef 187’s services’ cost have always remained out of the public knowledge, with only those who sought after his services knowing exactly much they costs.
For a rapper of Chef 187’s calibre, who stands as the second most streamed artist across all credits on digital streaming platforms and with a great reputation he has build for himself over the years, many would argue that the rapper deserves even more that the fee mentioned.
One social user was noted saying, “Take that into USD and divide by costs x talent, you’ll find out its peanuts. That’s why you have an international artist with back up singer insulting the nation, let’s give these guys buggatti money record deals,” clearly stating that the fee is not enough for the rapper’s services.
With the rapper usually keeping such information of the public space, many speculate that Mr. Gaston was requested to take down the post. For now, fans know that his booking fee is roughly around ±20,000 of that figure.
Are Zambian artists being paid sufficiently for their services, many would say booking fees have not risen with time hence the low fees. What could be done for the artists to be paid what their services is worth?
