Amidst a nation’s collective mourning, JC Kalinks has unveiled “Lilya Baya” – a profoundly moving musical eulogy honoring the late former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Entirely self-produced and sung with raw vulnerability, the track transcends mere tribute to become a cultural artifact of Zambia’s grief.
The Bemba title “Lilya Baya” (“He Has Gone”) anchors the song in solemn tradition, as JC Kalinks’ voice carries the weight of national loss. His production choices speak volumes – sparse percussion allows space for reflection, warm harmonies cradle the listener like a communal embrace, and traditional melodic phrases intertwine with contemporary arrangements to bridge generations. This isn’t just performance; it’s musical catharsis crafted by an artist who understands rhythm and ritual.
Where other tributes celebrated political legacies, “Lilya Baya” explores the intimate void left behind. JC’s lyrics paint Lungu as both statesman and spiritual father – a leader whose absence reverberates through marketplaces, church pews, and family gatherings. The chorus swells like collective memory, transforming personal sorrow into shared healing.
The track’s power lies in its restraint. Without grandiose orchestration, JC’s minimalist approach amplifies lyrical truths:
“We didn’t just lose a president – We lost the hand that steadied us in storms, The voice that spoke peace when divisions roared.”
As “Lilya Baya” circulates through radio waves and streaming platforms, it’s catalyzing a cultural moment. Elders hear ancestral wisdom in its cadence; youth discover the depth of Bemba lamentation traditions. Social media floods with stories of how Lungu’s compassion touched ordinary lives – a vegetable seller recalling his market visit, teachers remembering school donations, farmers speaking of drought interventions.
JC Kalinks has given Zambia more than a song. He’s crafted a sonic vessel carrying a nation’s love, regret, and unfinished conversations. In studios where artists often chase viral hooks, this stands as sacred work – proof that Zambian music remains deeply rooted in honoring those who shaped its soil.
“Lilya Baya” is now streaming on all platforms.
