Zambian music star Rich Bizzy has set social media ablaze after publicly questioning why he was asked to perform at an award ceremony he wasn’t even nominated for and worse, for free. Taking to Facebook, the “Chibanyonge” hitmaker didn’t mince words:
“Why would you want me to perform at the awards I’m not nominated for? Elo for free 😂” The post quickly went viral, sparking heated debates across social media about artist value, industry respect, and professionalism within Zambia’s entertainment scene.
While some fans applauded Rich Bizzy for “knowing his worth” and refusing to be exploited, others felt he could’ve handled it privately. Still, the overwhelming response leaned in his favor — with many calling his move “bold and necessary” for local artists who often face underpayment or lack of recognition.
Industry watchers say Rich Bizzy’s post highlights a deeper issue: the disconnect between award organizers and artists’ creative value. Despite his consistent chart-topping hits and electrifying performances, being left out of nominations — then being asked to perform — struck many as disrespectful.
As one fan commented, “You can’t ask someone to entertain your crowd for free when they don’t even make your shortlist. That’s not exposure — that’s exploitation.”
Whether the organizers will respond remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear — Rich Bizzy just started a conversation the entire industry can’t ignore.