Veteran Zambian rapper Ruff Kid has added his voice to the growing debate surrounding the promotion of South African music in Zambia, questioning why local entertainment bodies continue to support foreign acts while reports of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa persist.
In a strongly worded social media post, the rapper expressed frustration over the amount of Amapiano music being played in Zambian clubs, saying local music is being overshadowed by foreign content.
Ruff Kid revealed that while at a club, he noticed that Amapiano songs dominated the playlist, with both DJs and fans enthusiastically singing along to lyrics they did not even understand.
“I was in the club yesterday and Amapiano played more than Zambian music. DJ and fans were even like ‘ololo ozala’ yet they don’t even know the meaning, ma wanna be bati! Busy promoting foreign culture,” Ruff Kid wrote.
The artist said he is concerned that while Zambians continue to embrace and spend money on South African music and artists, some foreign nationals have reportedly faced mistreatment during recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“Chinibaba every time I see my Zambian people being mistreated in SA yet we keep promoting and paying South African artists. ZAM and NAC ni dullness yabwanji iyi kansi??” he added.
Ruff Kid’s comments come days after Yo Maps’ manager DJ Kandeke reiterated his call for the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) and the National Arts Council (NAC) to take a firmer stance on South African artists performing in Zambia. Kandeke argued that South African artists should be temporarily stopped from performing in Zambia until attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa come to an end.
The discussion has intensified following the postponement of South African artist Sun-El Musician’s scheduled performance in Lusaka amid concerns surrounding the current situation in South Africa.
Ruff Kid’s remarks have since sparked mixed reactions online. Some social media users agreed with the rapper, saying Zambia should do more to promote local music and support homegrown talent. Others argued that music should remain a tool for unity and that artists should not be held responsible for social or political challenges in their countries.
The debate has once again raised questions about cultural exchange, local content promotion and the role of institutions such as ZAM and NAC in balancing support for Zambian artists while maintaining international entertainment partnerships.
As of publication, neither ZAM nor the National Arts Council had publicly responded to Ruff Kid’s comments.
The conversation, however, continues to dominate social media, with many Zambians calling for greater support for local music while others urge dialogue and unity in the face of regional challenges.
