Zambian rapper King Illest has once again taken to social media to expose what he calls the toxic gatekeeping culture within the local music industry. In a bold Facebook post, the self-proclaimed King of the South revealed that he once overheard artists plotting to sabotage another musician’s release.
“I ONCE OVERHEARD SOME ARTISTS TALKING ABOUT HOW ANOTHER ARTIST IS ABOUT TO DROP MUSIC AND THEY NEED TO BLOCK IT AND MAKE SURE THE SONG DOESN’T HIT. MULI TUPUBA! Elo am going to start exposing you natuma clique twanu,” he wrote.
This revelation has sent shockwaves across the Zambian music scene, with fans and fellow artists reacting to the claims. If true, it sheds light on the industry’s hidden battles, where some artists allegedly work behind the scenes to suppress their peers’ success.
While King Illest did not name any specific individuals, his statement suggests that music politics and gatekeeping remain a major issue. Many artists have long voiced concerns over the presence of cliques that control airplay, streaming influence, and collaborations—ultimately making it harder for independent or rising musicians to shine.
With King Illest vowing to expose those involved, could this be the beginning of a major shake-up in Zambian music? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!