Chef 187 recently addressed a debate sparked by media presenter PMC regarding whether his song “360,” featuring James Sakala, truly qualifies as a hip-hop track. The conversation gained traction after “360” was nominated for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song at the upcoming Kwacha Music Awards.
PMC questioned the song’s genre classification by sharing a post that read: “Is 360 by Chef 187 ft James Sakala a hip-hop song?” This prompted a discussion among fans and industry insiders about the criteria for nominations in such categories. In response, Chef 187 lightheartedly commented on the annual award season drama, saying, “Hehe… I call this time of the year ‘What’s the Criteria?’ It’s time for the most abused phrase in the history of Zambian award shows.”
Chef 187’s response reflects a broader conversation in Zambia’s music industry, where artists and fans often debate whether certain tracks fit within the categories they’re nominated for. This ongoing discourse highlights the complexity of music genres and how they evolve, often crossing traditional boundaries.
This year, the Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song category at the Kwacha Music Awards includes stiff competition from the following nominees:
- “All Networks” by Dizmo
- “Big Machines” by 76 Drums
- “Cibe Cibe” by Tim
- “Jahman Juice” by Slao Dee
- “Mazale” by Cleo Ice Queen
- “Mpawi” by Jemax
As the debate continues, fans await the final results to see how the nominees fare in one of the most highly anticipated categories.