REGGAE IN ZAMBIA: A Chat with DJ Sanctified

REGGAE IN ZAMBIA:

An informal chat with Gospel Reggae Artist DJ Sanctified

Reggae Artist DJ Sanctified Zambia loves Jamaica. Now, the popularity is because of the big sportsman himself, Usain Bolt. However, Zambia's love for Jamaica began with the Rastafari community due to the music of Bob Marley. This I learned from one of my FB friends who calls me ‘Ma’, and I am happy to call ‘son’! Here is his story ...

Royd Seya aka DJ Sanctified is a Zambian gospel reggae/Dancehall artist. He started music way back in Junior Secondary School where they would toast on school notes in school textbooks. He was a fond follower of artists like Buju Banton, Culture, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Anthony B. In high school he was commonly called Buju among his peers as he really loved to sing the Gargamel's songs. He was born again in 2008, after which he switched to Gospel music but he still had a greater love for reggae music to the point that it really became a battle to 'dash we di myuuzik' until he was introduced to Gospel reggae by a friend who was a gospel Dancehall DJ/Selector at that time. Then he started knowing artists like Prodigal Son, DJ Nicholas, Sherwin Gardner, Monty G and St Matthew. That’s how he switched to Gospel dancehall. Sanctified started writing songs of his own in 2010 when he stepped in the studio for the first on a friend’s song.

In 2013 he got an opportunity to voice on a riddim from Jamaica called Toolbox Riddim by a Jamaican producer called JProjek. However, he had challenges in sending the song due to technological issues so the song didn’t make it on that compilation. He did another song on the Island Jam Riddim from Riddim Culture in the UK. Due to other challenges again he couldn’t release the song but he still kept writing songs. In 2018 Sanctified had an official first single in his musical career successfully released. The song was called Champion on the Come Down Again Riddim from Weed G Sound Force Studios in Jamaica.The song received massive support and international airplay in Africa, UK, Netherlands, USA and the Caribbean Islands. Since then he has done other songs on other riddim compilations, the most recent one being the Jesus Christ Riddim 2020 by DJ G Bless from Costa Rica and DJ Righteous from the UK. He will continue to release a few other singles before embarking on an album or an EP.

According to Sanctified, Reggae music has a large following there in Zambia among the Rastafari community. Some time ago, there was one Jamaican who repatriated to Zambia, and was given a large piece of land on the western side of the city. Some of the Jamaican reggae artists who have visited are Luciano, Don Carlos, Ras Zachari and Brian Gold, not to mention Jimmy Cliff who visited in 1981.

Some Christians attend these concerts, especially those who are keen reggae lovers. However, there is no relationship between the Rastafari community and the Church. “The Church doesn’t take the Rastafari as serious people. They see them as people who are rebellious and are associated with Ganja which is prohibited here. Most Rastas are judged from afar.” Now, gospel reggae is on the rise. Jermaine Edwards’ music is being played on National television. They also play Chevelle Franklyn, Omari, DJ Nicholas and Papa San.

When asked whether he sees reggae music as a potential tool for reconciliation, DJ Sanctified responded: “Yes very much! I had an interview on national radio when I released Champion and other reggae songs. We had viewers calling in and saying ‘this is the reggae we want.’ It’s like people here want Christian reggae, but we do not have so many gospel reggae artists to feed people with the good music.

Generally, gospel music is big in Zambia. There are many concerts with many attending, and people are coming to Christ. Gospel reggae is used in the churches, but the culture in the church is different from the culture in the gospel reggae concerts, especially with language. Whenever people hear you speaking Patwa, they equate it with Reggae and Rasta. Some know the difference but some do not. When asked whether people would listen to a Jamaican Christian explain the difference, Sanctified’s response was “Yes! Especially the reggae lovers who are Christians!” KW Magazine is praying expectantly for the opportunity!