Glo-Sponsored African Voices: Zambian Music Dance stars Share Experiences

The Globacom-sponsored CNN African Voices Changemakers will this weekend continue its tradition of showcasing Africans who are making positive impacts on the African continent with two entertainment stars from Zambia.

The magazine programme which goes on air at 8.30 a.m. on Friday will feature hip-hop artiste, Mwila Musonda, and dancer, Taonga Tembo. There are repeat editions on Saturday at 11.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. and on Sunday at 4.00 a.m., 8.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. Further repeats of the programme are broadcast at 4.30 a.m. on Monday and at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Musonda, who is popularly known as Slapdee, was born in 1987. He began his career in hip hop and rap as a high school student, and grew to become one of the pioneers of Zambian Hip-hop music. He has won multiple awards since his first effort “Asembe Isebenza” was released in 2006. He followed this up with four studio albums So Che, Black na White, True Story and The Business. He is currently signed on to the Zambian record label XYZ Entertainments, which he founded as a platform for supporting the growth of local music in his country.

His achievements have not gone unnoticed as he has received several nominations and awards, including the 2009 Ngoma Music Award for best hip hop artist and the AFRIMM Award nomination(s) for Best Male (artist) Southern Africa.  He also won nine Zambian Music awards for best male and hip-hop artist and six Sun FM Kwacha Music Awards.  

The second guest on the programme, Tembo, has achieved a lot through dance which she regards as a way of giving back to her society. She owns a dance studio where she teaches kids exceptional dance techniques to widen their vision and showcase their creative talents with the flexibility of their bodies.

Tembo is expected to discuss how she established her foundation, Barefeet Theatre, through which she coaches kids at the Lubuto Library in Lusaka, Zambia, and how she intends to reach more Zambian kids.  She is also a cinematographer, director and producer.