Peter Sambo, a former gospel artist now based in the United Kingdom, has sparked online outrage after claiming that no Malawian musician became wealthy primarily through music and naming Prophet Shepherd Bushiri as a major contributor to the fortunes of artists including Gwamba, Wendy and Lawi.
The remarks appeared in a post on Sambo’s Facebook page on Tuesday. In that post, Sambo, who once enjoyed a close camaraderie with Bushiri, also alleged that Zeze’s wealth comes courtesy of his wife, Dorothy, and that Lulu’s financial position has been bolstered by Wendy.
Because Sambo offered no evidence to support his assertions, many social-media users were quick to condemn the “Tachilowa Chaka China” star, calling him a failed artist seeking attention to revive his fading fame.
In response, Dan Be criticised Sambo rather than defending him, noting that Sambo’s name only experiences a brief revival on New Year’s Day when his 2003 track is traditionally played and then fades, implying his recent comments were merely an attempt to grab headlines.
However, opponents of Sambo’s view say the music industry has changed: with online streaming revenues, COSOMA royalties, corporate performances and brand ambassadorships, some Malawian artists now earn sustainable incomes from music alone.
The debate has thus become a lightning rod for broader concerns about patronage, transparency and how musicians in Malawi monetize their work in the digital era.
No official responses had been received from those named in Sambo’s post at the time of reporting, but the online conversation continues, and further comment may follow from the artists, their representatives, or Sambo himself.
