FOR far too long, there has been a misguided perception that gospel music should be provided free of charge, while secular music is marketed and sold with no such expectations.
This unfair double standard is believed to be undermining the value of gospel music and negatively impacting the livelihoods of those who devote their time and talent to creating it.
Gospel artiste Deborah Mambo, opened up about the various challenges that most gospel musicians face in the industry.
According to Mambo, many people seem to believe that gospel music should be freely accessible without any cost, while failing to recognise the significant investment of time, energy and creativity that goes into producing high-quality music.
Mambo highlighted the immense pressure gospel musicians experience while trying to maintain their religious mission and earn enough to cover their expenses.
“In Zambia, gospel artistes find themselves in a difficult predicament. We are committed to sharing our faith through our music, but this often comes at the expense of our financial well-being,” she said.
“The high costs associated with recording, marketing, and performing can be challenging to cover, leaving many gospel musicians struggling to break even.”
She emphasised the need for public support and recognition to ensure the growth and sustainability of the industry.
“Despite the significant effort put in by gospel musicians, the prevailing public attitude remains that our music should be free. This attitude hinders the development and expansion of our industry,” the gospel artiste shared.
She said in order to see the gospel music industry thrive in Zambia, there is need for public support and understanding that public assistance means investing in the future of the nation’s music scene.
Meanwhile, Mambo highlighted the upward trajectory of Zambian gospel music, noting that it is slowly gaining recognition beyond borders.
She attributed this progress to improved production standards and higher quality recordings, emphasising that the industry has made significant strides in recent years.
With greater public understanding and support, the gospel music scene in the country has the potential to flourish, creating a richer, more diverse music landscape for all Zambians to enjoy.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 10, 2025
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