Zambian Hip-Hop heavyweight King Illest has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Kwacha Music Awards nominations. The self-proclaimed “King of the South” made the announcement in a statement that highlights both his gratitude and decision to step back from the Best Southern Province Artist category, a title he has claimed several times in previous years.
In his statement, King Illest expressed heartfelt thanks to his fans and the Kwacha Music Awards organizers, saying, “I would firstly like to proudly thank you for the nominations accorded to me and my team over the past few years, including this year as Best Artist – Southern Province. I don’t take it for granted.”
Despite the honor of being consistently recognized, King Illest explained that after much thought and discussion with his team, they felt it was time to step aside and allow other talented artists from Southern Province to shine. “Having won the award all these years, we felt it was time to leave the stage while the applause is still strong and pursue other priorities,” he stated.
He further emphasized that his goal for 2024 is to focus on uplifting and promoting other artists from Southern Province. “Earlier this year, my team and I made it a priority to push the province’s music, artists, and culture. It’s for this reason that we respectfully withdraw our nomination for Best Southern Province Artist of the Year 2024,” King Illest added.
The Southern Province rap king closed his statement by acknowledging the organizers for their continuous efforts in promoting Zambian music, while expressing optimism that his work would be recognized in other categories going forward.
King Illest’s decision reflects his leadership and commitment to nurturing the Zambian music industry, particularly in his home region. His withdrawal paves the way for other emerging artists to take the spotlight, reinforcing his influence and dedication to the growth of the Southern Province music scene.