Zambian Albums Are Flopping On The Market

Zambian artists have been producing albums for quite some time, and many agree that most of these albums have sold well. It’s important to recognize that music is a business, involving significant investment and collaboration.

Albums don’t just materialize out of thin air; they are the result of collective effort and planning. Investors expect a return on their money, but are these projects performing well in the market?

To understand this question, let’s go back to the 2000s, the era of radio cassettes, tapes, CDs, and jukeboxes. During this time, fans paid close attention to the music being released. Streaming platforms weren’t as prevalent, if at all known to Zambians.

Zambian music yankala too simple, hits of today…tomorrow yasila nyimbo – Macky2 (Seka Uponoke)

Every song on an album was a top seller, ensuring a return on investment. There was minimal marketing before the album release.

So, what are today’s musicians doing differently? Take, for example, K’millian‘s album ‘Another Day,’ considered one of the best albums.

It had 14 songs, which today might be labeled as an EP. Nowadays, albums often have 22 or more songs, perhaps overwhelming fans. Additionally, the messages in today’s songs often lack the timely relevance of older music.

Artists may claim to have spent years on an album, yet include a trend from just weeks ago, which can feel insincere and disappoint fans. When artists chase trends, the songs lose their longevity.

Marketing also plays a role; while modern methods are appreciated, some tactics can be excessive. Artists’ omnipresence on social media diminishes their value.

Many questions remain unanswered concerning the way these Zambians disappear in just weeks of their release. Is it the introduction of streaming platforms?

However, we can’t overlook the effort put into these projects. In conclusion, the longevity of albums is challenged by message relevance, storytelling, and marketing strategies.