Hollaman

Hollaman (born Lazarous Mutate Chewe on June 9 1969) is an artist from Zambia. Like many aspiring musicians, he discovered his passion for music when he stumbled upon a makeshift guitar crafted from wood and an old cooking oil tin as a teenager. Hollaman was fortunate to witness the performances of great Zambian Zam Rock bands in the late 70s and 80s, which further fueled his interest in music.

However, his progress in guitar playing faced challenges as he was left-handed, and finding a left-handed guitar was nearly impossible during those times. Despite the setback, his interest in music continued to grow, and fate led him to join the British charitable organization Oxfam-UK. During his time at Oxfam, he had the opportunity to interact with musicians involved in campaigns against youth unemployment in Southern Africa. This exposure fueled his passion for music further, and he used the equipment at Oxfam to practice and hone his skills. He developed interest in Zambian traditional drums which now part of is a trade mark for Hollaman as percussionist.

In 2002, with the help of his long-time friend, guitarist Dennis Chipo Bwalya, and Jack Mad of the True Afrikans Hollaman made a triumphant return to the music scene, impressing audiences with his unique fusion of Afro Reggae, blues, and jazz-influenced beats. From that point on, Hollaman began performing live and captivating audiences with his musical talents.

Despite his live musical performance success, Hollaman has never find found a suitable recording studio that could capture the essence of his music and spirituality. He embraces Rastafarian philosophy as a way of life but chooses not to rely on the Bible to validate his spirituality.

Since 2011, Hollaman has been less visible on stage, occasionally jamming with Bantu Roots. When asked about this, he explains that he has plenty of music material but has struggled to find a professional recording studio that aligns with his vision for his music's sound. Additionally, the financial constraints of the music industry in his country have made it challenging to fund the kind of projects he envisions, even though the costs are relatively modest by international standards.

Despite the challenges, Artiste Hollaman remains a dedicated and passionate musician, and his unique blend of musical influences continues to leave a lasting impact on his audience. His unwavering commitment to his craft and his refusal to compromise on his artistic vision make him a true icon in the Zambian music scene.