• Macky2 performs for students at UNZA during the Freshers’ Bash. Picture by CHUSA SICHONE.

By CHUSA SICHONE –

THE crowd went wild immediately after Zambia’s representative in the Big Brother Africa (BBA) Hotshots, Macky2 stepped on stage at around 15 minutes past midnight.
The University of Zambia (UNZA) gym security had a tough time keeping the frenzied crowd at bay. Some ecstatic patrons were seen attempting to hop on stage but the UNZA gym bouncers prevented them from doing so despite failing to push the crowd back to their earlier position.
The UNZA sports hall was understandably fully packed with returning and first year students as well as members of the public from different townships.
This was during the free event dubbed Freshers Bash Reloaded at the campus.
Before Macky2 performed, the self-proclaimed king of modern Kalindula music, who is also arguably one of the most prolific artistes in the country, Afunika, stepped on stage at 22:50 hours, much to the excitement of the crowd.
Afunika sang several hits of his popular songs including his most recent offering Moment of time. The major highlights of Afunika’s enjoyable performance was an UNZA student Benzo Family challenging his dancer to what seemed to be a dancing competition as well as Afunika inviting a female student to briefly dance with him on stage.
Hell broke loose when Macky2 finally hit the stage! There was chaos in the hall! Screaming, whistling, clapping, pushing and shoving. Mobile phone cameras flashes were what greeted the Kopala Swag superstar.
Macky2 kicked off his performance with his Ndi mupondo hit and wrapped up with his latest chart-topper Mama Rebecca. In between those two songs were other old and new tracks like We don’t care, Mami Niuze, No more love, Google and Bana Chanda.
Macky2 took time to briefly tell the audience about his experience in the BBA Hotshots house, thanked them for their overwhelming votes, the sad news of President Michael Sata’s death that greeted him after he left the house and the recently held presidential by-election.
Macky2 thanked his loyal fans who had supported him since his debut in the music industry but was also mindful that of those that liked him after the BBA Hotshots experience.
At the time Macky2 was bowing out, the crowd was still yearning for more and his former rival Slap D was on hand to quench their thirst shortly afterwards.
Despite being on stage for not more than 20 minutes, Slap D made an impact as he performed Waumfwa and Remember. The musicians paid tribute to the late P-Jay. UNZA Students Union social and cultural affairs secretary Victor Chinza told the DStv/GOtv Weekend Entertainment that the Freshers Bash Reloaded was an event meant to orient first year students with their returning counterparts.
As is usually the case at almost every show, the Freshers’ Bash Reloaded had a number of upcoming artistes that warmed up the stage for Afunika, Macky2 and Slap D.