The iconic Born & Bred Awards have officially made a massive comeback after 11 years, sending shockwaves through Zambia’s entertainment scene and reviving one of the country’s most loved music video award platforms.
The return of the awards brought pure nostalgia, energy, and celebration as artists, fans, and industry heavyweights filled the night with emotion and excitement. Once regarded as the ultimate stage for music video excellence, Born & Bred is back—bigger, bolder, and more relevant to a new generation.
The night belonged to Yo Maps, who delivered a powerful double win, scooping Music Video of the Year and Best Dancehall/Afrobeat Video for his smash hit “Mr & Mrs”. His dominance once again proved why he remains one of Zambia’s most consistent hitmakers.
Drimz Mr Muziq also had a standout moment, walking away with two major awards including Best Dunka Music Video for “Akamusoli” and Best Radio 4 Song of the Year for “Single” featuring Jemax.
This year’s return edition also introduced fresh categories like Best Traditional Music Video and Best Dunka Music Video, showing how the awards are evolving with Zambia’s fast-growing and diverse music culture.
Behind the comeback is Innocent “Smooth IK” Kalaluka, the man credited for reviving the Born & Bred legacy and pushing it back into the spotlight for a new era of Zambian music lovers.
Born & Bred Awards Winners List
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Mampi
Recognition Awards
- Baska Baska – For contribution to popularizing Dunka sound
- Sampa The Great – For elevating Zambian music globally
Category Winners
- Best Upcoming Female Artist – Saliya Miyanda
- Best Upcoming Male Artist – JC Kalinks
- Best Radio 4 Song of the Year – Drimz ft. Jemax – Single
- Best Female Video – Mampi ft. Bloodkid – Bad Character
- Best Dancehall/Afrobeat Video – Yo Maps – Mr & Mrs
- Best Traditional Music Video – Chester More Power – Eondongana Nankwe
- Most Conscious Music Video – Super Kena – Ture Story
- Best Gospel Music Video – Kwanda ft. Abel Chungu – The Call
- Best Zed Music Video – Chile One – So Chabe
- Best Zed Diaspora Artist – Sampa The Great
- Best Hip-Hop Music Video – 76 Drums – Big Machine
- Best Dunka Music Video – Drimz – Akamusoli
- Music Video of the Year – Yo Maps – Mr & Mrs
