THEY TOLD US MOVE, YOU DONT HAVE A PROGRAMME HERE – CHEF 187 REVEALS CHOOSING DIGNITY OVER MONEY WHEN HE WITHDREW FROM SMF 2024
Speaking to Kenny Tonga on Kenny T 1 ON 1 podcast’s episode 20 – Top Zambian rapper Chef 187 opened up about the ordeal that led to his withdrawal from the Stanbic Music Festival 2024.
According to Chef 187, he and his team waited for about five hours while other artists did their sound check.
When it was his time, he was told to step aside because it was time for the international artist to do his sound check. He further said that what pissed his team more was because it was a non-Zambian telling them.
“Oh, we’ve run out of time. It’s now time for the international act. I was like, oh, but we’ve been waiting for hours and hours. We’ve been waiting for like(about) five hours now. Oh, sorry, we can’t do anything about it. Can you please leave the stage and wait from down there?” recounted the rapper.
The rapper’s management would make efforts to sort out the issue with the people in charge but to no avail. “In the end, we started to look crazy,” said the rapper as he cited the reason for his withdrawal.
Chef 187’s management would refund the show organizers despite exhausting the down payment as they had to pay a team of about 16 people, which included the band and management.
“We know you’re offering us a lot of money but at the end of the day respect is better than a lot of money so, let us have our respect,” said the rapper on choosing his dignity over money.
Chef who prides his team for having a high level tolerance, which this time was over stretch, and it snapped, revealed that the SMF organisers formally apologised through a meeting even though it was not put publicly.
“I think even me speaking about it now is a bit unfair because these are situations that were ironed out days after that,” said the rapper.
The rapper further said he was open if the event organisers wanted his services in the future, stating that he had passed a statement. Hence, they know how to treat them in the future.
“Now they know how to treat us better. Now they know to say, oh, so we can’t have this when these guys come around,” said Chef 187.
The rapper’s withdrawal from the Stanbic Music Festival was supported by fellow industry peers, including Roberto, Slapdee, and DJ Showshar, who shared a message on their socials in solidarity with the rapper.
The music industry’s artists have been calling for fair pay and treatment from event organisers, especially when foreign artists are invited.
Acts like Chef 187’s withdrawal, Slapdee refusal to perform unless he was paid the same fee as Mr Eazi among others have stirred the industry in a more favourable direction.
