In Ndola, one of Zambia’s main cities and the largest town in the Copperbelt, the Celtel Star Search Competition was generating a buzz. Everyone and anyone who could sing and dance was in the queue for the auditions. When Kapuka arrived he was surprised that none of his friends – rappers, beatboxers and MIC’s – had come. When he finally made it through the doors, preparing himself for his performance, he was informed that under no condition would rappers be allowed to enter the contest.

Kapuka has a confidence in his music that stems from his passion. Since primary school he’s been known as the neighbourhood MIC – useful for picking up chicks, he’ll joke now. But he’s been making home recordings with his friends since he was a teenager, and his lyrics are the words of a mind at work. There’s never been any other style or genre for him, so when it came to the judges remarks about rap music, he knew exactly what to do.

He went onto the stage and without hesitation improvised a freestyle rant, questioning, in his words, why on earth the judges would make such a rule. “It was all I could do. All the other rappers I knew didn’t even come because they had heard.” The result? He got through to the next round – the only rapper in the whole country to make the cut.

Kapuka is a quiet, humble person, with a soft-spoken voice. He’s always been a diligent worker at school and remains focused on his studies to become an accountant. As the eldest son in his family he feels the pressure to achieve with his life. And rap music has always been the way he expresses himself.

Being the only rap artist in the Star Search contest wasn’t easy, he admits, because the judges were not prepared for him. “They could never give me any material” he says, explaining that all the other artists were given songs to perform. “I had to freestyle my way, for every performance and every audition.” Tough? “Of course! Your mind gets so confused… you don’t want to repeat anything you’ve already said so you’re always trying to create new material…”