WHAT HAPPENED TO THE THIRD?

 When Zambian music was defined by mainly Lusaka (and very few artists from Copperbelt) , none expected artists from outside these two provinces to dominate the Zambian music scene.

But boom! From no where there was a hit 'NIFUNSAKO' (GELO PA ZED). The fact that the song was done in nyanja made many to believe that the artists behind this smash hit were from Lusaka. However, later on, when it was revealed that the song that had captivated the country was done by a trio from Chipata, Eastern Province, many were shocked

'The Third' as they were called comprised of Vizha Banda (19), Micheal Chisengalumbwe (20), and Evans Njovu (20).

The country's top producers scrambled to sign the three young men that had become an 'overnight' sensational music group. But it would be the legendary TK from Romaside studios that would have the trio's signature on his label.

Even when NIFUNSAKO was receiving massive airplay on all major radio stations, bars, buses, taxis and many homes in the country, the trio went ahead to break their own songs record by producing hit after hit.

Within a few weeks Romaside studios produced their first Album. And it was a larger than life album. Each and every song was simply classic. Ukaona ona, Mechanical, Love yamu filimu and the other tracks in the album shock the nation. They simply dominated the whole Zambian music scene.

But just as when it seemed they had the world at their feet, their second project did not sell like their initial project. In fact, after the send project, the group went into oblivion. Only Vizya, the youngest of the trio was heard of after he was featured in 'Love farmer'.

So dramatic was their disappearance from the Zambian music scene that they become a ridicule group; some artists have continued mocking their glory days. So what happened to these young men that had the world bowing to them? Where did they go wrong?

Well that is a difficult question to answer especially if you are not them. However, some music pundits have stated that their relative young age in the stardom umbrella of Zambia sealed their fate. In short, they were not prepared for the overwhelming fame that followed them after their initial project. In addition, the fact that they were not fully acquainted with Lusaka life may have contributed to their downfall as they seemed to be 'gallivanting' much instead of being in the studio.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Vizya is still in Lusaka and graduated from the country's Premier tertiary institution, The University of Zambia. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Development Studios. He is in touch with the author having met in person at UNZA where the author was the senior of Vizya in the same course.

Evans too was last seen by the author in Lusaka. Cool and calm, Evans seemed to have managed to stay away from the 'evil side' of fame. However,it has been a while since the author met Evans and he thus does not know his professional life.

Micheal is however a sorry site. He has become a shadow of himself. He is in Chipata and spends much of his time boozing . Only his legendary name remains in the city of Chipata.

In the Photo above isVizya and Evans.