Zambia Association of Musicians Addresses Boomplay Concerns
The Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) has released a formal statement addressing public concerns regarding Boomplay and its interactions with Zambian artists. The announcement comes after prominent musicians, including Jemax and DJ Mzenga Man, raised serious questions about Boomplay’s business conduct in Zambia.
Two major issues have come to light:
- Boomplay reportedly owes substantial royalty payments to several Zambian artists. Some affected artists have formally engaged ZAM to pursue these claims.
- A viral video featuring Yo Maps (Elton Mulenga) discussing his alleged role in introducing Boomplay to Zambian artists has sparked debate on ethics and potential gatekeeping.
ZAM expressed concern over Boomplay’s lack of transparent communication and professionalism, emphasizing that many artists, including Chile One, Chef 187, and Shimasta, have not received royalties for nearly three years. Repeated attempts to engage Boomplay have reportedly been unsuccessful.
Regarding Yo Maps’ claims of controlling access to other artists’ musical works, ZAM confirmed that there is no evidence to substantiate or refute these allegations. Yo Maps himself has stated that he is among the artists owed royalties.
ZAM assures that it is actively engaging stakeholders, including government agencies such as ZICTA and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, to seek a fair resolution. The association also highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement and internal mediation to preserve the integrity of the Zambian music industry.
The statement concluded with a call for continued public support of Zambian music while ZAM works to resolve the issue and protect artists’ rights.
Issued by:
Edmond Miti, Publicity Secretary/Spokesperson, Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM)
