By TROY MUKUPA
A war of words has erupted between award-winning musician Yo Maps and the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) over comments he made regarding his contribution to the funeral of late musician Dandy Krazy.
Yo Maps, whose real name is Elton Mulenga, took to social media to brag about feeding thousands of people and musicians who attended Dandy Krazy’s funeral. He also called out artists he claims to have helped in their music careers, who he alleges are now disrespecting him.
However, his fellow musicians, through ZAM, condemned his utterances, stating that Yo Maps was not the biggest contributor to the funeral. ZAM president Davison Munsanda said Yo Maps’ words were not only disrespectful to the family of the deceased but also a blow to the music industry.
Munsanda advised Yo Maps to retract his statement and consider better ways to resolve any disputes he may have with other artists.
But in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Yo Maps hit back at ZAM, accusing the association of being selective in its engagements and favoring certain artists over others.
Yo Maps claimed that he has endured unwarranted attacks and false narratives from a cartel of artists who have made it their mission to discredit his work. He stated that despite these attacks, he has remained focused on his craft and his fans, refusing to engage in unnecessary conflicts.
The musician questioned ZAM’s commitment to fairness and impartiality, stating that the association only speaks out when he defends himself against attacks from other artists.
Yo Maps called on ZAM to re-evaluate its approach to conflict resolution and artist representation, and to commit itself to impartiality, transparency, and fairness.
“If the association claims to represent the interests of Zambian musicians, then it must do so with unwavering integrity, impartiality, and accountability. Selectively intervening in conflicts, reprimanding certain artists while excusing others, undermines the very principles that ZAM should uphold. This issue transcends my personal concerns; it’s about ensuring that every Zambian artist receives a fair and equal platform to express themselves, defend their work, and receive support from the organization entrusted with their best interests. Mutual respect and universal fairness are paramount,” Yo Maps emphasized in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
The feud between Yo Maps and ZAM has sparked debate in the music industry, with many calling for calm and unity among artists.