The 2025 Kwacha Music Awards delivered one of the most unforgettable nights in Zambia’s music history, with Chile One MrZambia emerging as the biggest winner of the ceremony. The hitmaker walked away with five major awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Artist, firmly cementing his status as one of Zambia’s most influential and impactful artists of this generation.
Held on 29th November 2025 at the prestigious Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the awards brought together the biggest names in Zambian music, rising stars, industry stakeholders and passionate fans for a colourful celebration of creativity, culture and excellence.
Chile One’s dominance on the night reflected a year of consistency, hit releases and strong fan support. His music has continued to resonate across the country, blending emotional storytelling with commercial appeal — a formula that clearly paid off at this year’s awards. Winning in both artistic and mainstream categories highlighted his versatility and growing legacy in the industry.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Danny Kaya was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour celebrated his timeless contribution to Zambian music, recognising decades of influence, mentorship and classic records that have shaped the soundscape of the nation.
The crowd rose in appreciation as the veteran artist’s legacy was acknowledged, marking a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating Zambia’s musical pioneers.
PROVINCIAL CATEGORIES
Best Artist – Central
Ama Sweet Dondo
Born Vicious
Shadreck
Tripo Cezo
WINNER: Broken Hill Emmy
Best Artist – Copperbelt
4 Na 5
B Quan Phamaika
Blood Kid Yvok
JC Kalinks
Mirriam Vow Chama
Slick Bwoy
Xaven
WINNER: Y Celeb
Best Artist – Luapula
Born Bugah
Jay Nazo
Kam Charles
Machete
Pat Kayz
WINNER: Knack Unity
Best Artist – North Western
Boy KK
Denny Gee
Kell Cee Zambia
Mighty C
Nakawala Mwewa
WINNER: Cox
Best Artist – Southern
Kadas
Mordecai
Mpande
Rockstone
Tiger Tonka
WINNER: Mr Crown
Best Artist – Eastern
Alifatiq
Chimzy Kelly
KD Giza
Mr Blaq
WINNER: Chile 84
Best Artist – Lusaka
Dizmo
Frank Ro
Kayz Adamz
Miss Wizzy
Neo Slayer
Pst Gift Kaputula
Triple M
WINNER: Jae Cash
Best Artist – Muchinga
Afriboy
Emmy 3
Happy K
Mr Zed Official
Rock G Zambia
WINNER: Celeb City
Best Artist – Northern
Andyzoh
King G2
Kiss B Saibaba
Maserati Pa Ngoma
Newman
WINNER: Muzo Aka Alphonso
Best Artist – Western
Jah Bwoy
Kasi Nalu
Mumble Jumble
Qnelly Muzic
Y Coasty
WINNER: Ozone Africa
MAINSTREAM CATEGORIES
Best Folk / Indigenous Sound
Ba Mebo – T Low ft Chef 187 & Mumba Yachi
Chakufikila – Rich Bizzy
Imbeka – Shirtless Boys
Kandenu – Denny Gee Kachaku
Mapopwe – Chanda Na Kay ft Sianene & Coop Ticker
WINNER: Eondongana Nankwe – Chester
Best Dancehall / Reggae Song
Corpsemyelitis – Matthew Tembo ft Milz
Ifibyongo – T Sean ft Goodson Chizo & Bow Chase
It’s Giving – Jay Rox ft Willz Mr Nyopole
Sticky – Towela Kaira ft JC Kalinks & Kayz Adams
Wafola Wafulwa – Damiano ft Pompi
Waya Say – DJ Cosmo
WINNER: Yeh Yeh – Vinchenzo ft Mic Burner
Best Hip Hop / Rap Song
Father Of The Year – Dizmo ft 76 Drums
Fyoto Fyoto – Jemax ft Wallydoo
Hustlers Prayer – Jae Cash ft Jemax, Goddy Zambia & C Square
I Am Her – Cleo Ice Queen
Mvwine Filimu – Drifta Trek ft Slapdee & Kayz Adams
Spylng 2 – Chef 187 ft Immortal C’zar
WINNER: Dear Slapdee – Macky 2
Best Gospel Song (Female)
Balesa Bandimwine – Janet Mwandi
Embela Yenu – Mirriam Vow
Lesa Ima – Nakawala Mwewa
Mvwalinga – Medoreen Besa
Naikoselesha – Christine Nkole
Walitulwila Kale – Minister Temwani
WINNER: Teti – Chileshe Bwalya
Best Gospel Song (Male)
Fipelele Ukutali – Joshua Nankwe
Greater – Pompi ft VOH
Kafwa Wandi – Pst Gift Kaputula
Kaposha – Pastor Leo Kakungu
Talalika Umutima – Zarrell Clouds
You’re God – Reuben Katiyo
WINNER: Echo Tuwila Panshi – Kings
Most Conscious Song
Cha kwa Mu’zimai – Jae Cash ft JC Kalinks & Dizmo
Injato – T Sean ft Chef 187
Lesa Umo – HD Empire ft Triple M
My Hero – Yo Maps
True Story – Super Kena
Winsula – Macky 2 ft The Glorious Band
WINNER: Remember Me – Chile One
Best R&B / Afro Fusion Song
Efyo Unsunga – K’Millian ft Chichi Praise
Final Say – Neo ft Tim
Iwe Na Ine – T Low ft Chile One
Make Me A Dad – Chile One ft Natasha Chansa
Nationality – Jay Trigger & Ari
Nileke – KB & Chewe ft Frank Ro
WINNER: Bestie – Roberto
Best Mainstream / Pop Song
Bestie – Roberto
Eondongana Nankwe – Chester
Mr and Mrs – Yo Maps
Nationality – Jay Trigger & Ari
Sotambe – Frank Ro ft Yo Maps
Winsula – Macky 2 ft The Glorious Band
WINNER: Eagle One – Chile One
Best Band
Amayenge
Mo Fire Band
Sansamukeni Band
Shirtless Boys
Uncle Rex
WINNER: The Glorious Band
Best Choir
Busokololo Choir
Faithful Melodies
Golden Vocals
Mt Sinai Choir
Voice of Praise
WINNER: Zambia Defence and Security Choir
Best Duo / Group
4 Na 5
Celeb City
Chanda Na Kay
Dope Boys
HD Empire
WINNER: Peace Preachers
Best Collaboration
Cheers To The Good Times – Vinchenzo ft Bobby East
Mukaimwewa – Chile One ft Macky 2
Peace Of Mind – Yo Maps ft Roberto
Sotambe – Frank Ro ft Yo Maps
Teti – Dizmo ft Yo Maps
Winsula – Macky 2 ft The Glorious Band
WINNER: Follow – Triple M ft Driemo
Best Newcomer (Female)
Janet Mwandi
Khondwani
Nomalanga Judy
Norma
Ranjie Barbie
WINNER: Raycie
Best Newcomer (Male)
Chewe Superstar
Jay Trigga
Original Bukasa
Shokii – Mwana Chibolya
Slick Bwoy
WINNER: B Quan Phamaika
Humanitarian Award
B Flow
Abel Chungu
JK
John Chiti
Macky 2
Maiko Zulu
Sista D
WINNER: Mampi
Best Music Producer
C Mark On The Track
Eazy
Icon Mu Speaker
King Nachi Beats
King Tec
Magg 44
Mela Beats
Witty Beats
WINNER: T-Sean
Best International Achievement
Cleo Ice Queen
Jay Rox
Pompi
Roberto
Yo Maps
WINNER: Sampa The Great
Gospel Album of the Year
Afisobolola – Collins Coli
Heart Cry – Minister Divine
Isokololeni – Joseph Zulu
Lesa Sumbulweni – Reuben Katiyo
Move Mountains – Olivia Kalenga
WINNER: Ichikupempula Echikulya – Enock Mbewe
Best Female Artist
Christine Nkole
Cleo Ice Queen
Mampi
Sampa The Great
Tianna
Towela Kaira
WINNER: Xaven
Best Male Artist
Chef 187
Chester
Dizmo
Jae Cash
Roberto
Yo Maps
WINNER: Chile One
Song of the Year
Bestie – Roberto
Cheers To The Good Times – Vinchenzo
Eondongana Nankwe – Chester
Follow – Triple M
Mr and Mrs – Yo Maps
Teti – Dizmo
WINNER: Remember Me – Chile One
Album of the Year
Full Circle – K’Millian
I Am Her – Cleo Ice Queen
I Am On My Way – Chester
Most Wanted – Y Celeb
My Hero – Yo Maps
Voice Yo Dula – Jae Cash
WINNER: Eagle One – Chile One
Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER: Danny Kaya
Special Recognition Award
WINNER: Vice President Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango
