Zian SZ: The Zambian rapper bringing Zamrok into a new generation

Growing up between Copperbelt and Lusaka

Zian SZ was born in Zambia’s Copperbelt region, widely regarded as the country’s mineral centre and a historically important hub for musicians. She later moved to Lusaka with her father, where her early interest in songwriting began.

“I started writing songs when I was about seven,” she says. “It was just preschool music that I would write for my friends, for Sunday school or for fun. I didn’t know it was a talent at the time because it just came naturally to me.”

Living in Lusaka also shaped her linguistic and cultural identity. “It has really grown on me. It’s kind of like having this dual citizenship,” she says. “Even in my raps, you hear some Nyanja, you hear some Bemba, because in the house that I’m in the language we speak is Bemba. But the permanent language in Lusaka is Nyanja.”

Her stage name also reflects a sense of personal symbolism. “Zian is a nickname even people at home call me,” she explains. “It’s taken from the female mountain of Zion, which is where I get the SZ from.”

Rediscovering Zamrok

The artist has deliberately explored the history of Zambia’s music scene as she developed her own sound. She points to the legacy of genres such as Zamrock and Kalindula, which shaped earlier generations of musicians.

“The genre comes from old school music that is Zambian,” she says. “Back in the day we had Zamrock and Kalindula, which were the most prominent genres in the 1990s. Dunka music was more popular in the 2000s and 2010s.”

Her interest in Zamrok grew from the genre’s blend of cultural rhythms and rock influences. “I was really fascinated with the beats,” she says. “The fact that Zamrock was like a blend of cultural vibes with bass guitar and the funky fashion, I really loved that.”

Zian SZ also credits contemporary artists for inspiring her path. “What really drew me to the genre is people like The W.I.T.C.H. and Sampa the Great – just people today that inspire you to be like Zambian artists who have made it in the international space.”

Balancing music, work and digital influence

Her professional journey began at the age of 14 when she recorded her first single with a local producer. The track gained early traction through word of mouth.

“My sister heard the song and shared it with her friends and I think from there that’s really what kick-started this whole professional music career,” she says.

Outside music, Zian SZ balances several roles. She works in marketing, studies mass communication and pursues other creative outlets including styling and content creation.

“I do music – I rap, sing, write and style – and I also do content creation,” she says. “I’m currently in school studying mass communication. I just love working on different things that have to do with creativity.”

Social media has played a major role in expanding her audience. With around 100 000 followers on Facebook, she sees digital platforms as central to modern music careers.

“The world has moved into this digital direction and if we don’t move with the times we’re going to literally be left behind,” she says. “The following that I have grown is from people who’ve seen me from when I only had about 2 000 followers.”

She views online presence as an extension of hip hop’s influence. “I think social media is about impact, because for me hip hop is about impact as well.”

Using music for activism

Beyond entertainment, Zian SZ uses her platform to speak about social issues. Her advocacy includes topics such as climate change and abuse awareness.

“I stand on the side of activism,” she says. “I talk about climate change and about abuse. I just want to use my voice as a stage or a beacon to really make a difference one way or the other.”

However, building a career in music has not been without obstacles. Financial constraints remain a challenge as visibility grows.

“I’ve experienced challenges in finances because you get the visibility or growth and quite a number of people know you, but sustaining that growth needs a lot of money,” she says.

Breakthrough moments and new projects

One unexpected opportunity helped expand her reach internationally. A Zambian producer known as D. Jones mistakenly shared her EP with a United States producer, Mr Martin, who was searching for artists for a project.

“He was tasked with finding artists for an album he was working on,” she recalls. “D. Jones accidentally sent my song instead of the one that was supposed to be part of that project, and then he quickly deleted it.”

But the message had already been seen. “Mr Martin had already listened to the song and he loved it,” she says. “He said, ‘No, I don’t want anybody else but this girl.’”

The artist later released tracks including ‘Mukango’, featuring 76 Drums, and ‘Chalo’, while also appearing in a cypher organised by Zambian hip hop figure Makitu.

Looking ahead

Zian SZ is currently preparing a new EP, which she hopes to release in the coming months.

“I’ve been in and out of the studio. It’s got me busy as heaven,” she says. “We’ll be dropping it somewhere in the first quarter of the year, or if things don’t go well, towards June.”

The project is expected to include several collaborations, potentially featuring artists from Zambia and beyond.

“Quite a massive amount of collaborations in the EP,” she says. “Some Zambian artists – and fingers crossed for Zimbabwean artists who we’re still in talks with – but I’d like it to be a surprise.”

As her career develops, Zian SZ continues to position herself within Zambia’s evolving music landscape, drawing on the legacy of Zamrok while adapting it for a new generation of listeners.

Tshifhiwa Tendani and Axolile Lucky Mke contributed to this article.