Zamrock: A Short History
When psychedelia hit 1970s Zambia
In the early 1970s, Zambia was newly independent and brimming with youthful energy. Out of this optimism - and the global reach of rock ‘n’ roll - emerged one of the most electrifying yet overlooked musical movements of the 20th century: Zamrock.
Zamrock was more than a genre. It was the sound of a nation carving out its own identity. Young Zambian musicians took inspiration from Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Cream and Black Sabbath, and fused those influences with local and African rhythms, melodies, and storytelling. The result was a fuzz-drenched, psychedelic rock explosion that felt both familiar and entirely new.
At its core were bands like WITCH (“We Intend To Cause Havoc”), whose 1975 album Lazy Bones!! became a cornerstone of the scene, and Amanaz, whose record Africa blended heavy guitar riffs with lyrics about identity, politics, and hope. Other key figures included drummer-singer Chrissy Zebby Tembo and the Ngozi Family, all of whom helped define Zamrock’s raw, uncompromising sound.
This was music made for a new Zambia- loud, rebellious and joyously experimental. But it was also music shaped by struggle. As the decade wore on, political turmoil, economic decline and the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis took their toll. Many Zamrock musicians fell into obscurity, and by the 1980s the scene had largely disappeared.
For years, Zamrock was almost forgotten outside Zambia. But crate-diggers and specialist labels began unearthing these records in the 2000s, leading to a wave of international reissues. Suddenly, albums like Lazy Bones!! and Africa were reaching new ears, influencing contemporary psych and garage rock bands from Khruangbin to Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Today, Zamrock is celebrated as one of Africa’s most radical musical exports - a testament to the creativity and resilience of Zambian artists. Its heavy grooves and political undertones remind us that music can capture both the optimism and the challenges of a time and place.
Zamrock’s story is one of noise, rebellion, and rediscovery. Born in the afterglow of independence, silenced by hardship, and revived decades later, it continues to prove that some sounds are simply too powerful to vanish.
Listen to our Zamrock playlist, featuring highlights from the artists that built this scene: