PilAto

Musical career pilAto's music is largely broad-spectrum social commentary with generous overtones of contemporary hip hop after starting out as a poet. Pilato is referred to as the "voice of the voiceless", he is known to be a relevant voice in the dispensation of Democracy in Zambia.pilAto has managed to affix art and music on the political picture in Zambia today. In 2010 Pilato won the Ngoma Award as Zambia's Best Poet. He was later nominated for Best Music Video at the Born & Bred Awards in 2011.

Music and politics In between the year 2010 and 2011 at the beginning of he's transition to a human rights activist he had released a song satirically referring to some non-performing Zambian MP's as "Mental Patients". In 2013, he recorded a single entitled "Bufi" featuring Petersen, a highly politically charged song that labeled the late President Michael Sata a "Father of Lies". in what was one of the tightest election victories ever recorded since Zambia reverted to plural politics. 6 months later he recorded a song of Nashil Pischen Kazembe's 1970s hit "Aphiri Anabwela" but he changed the lyrics to "Alungu Anbwela". Unapologetic, the musician was bundled up and slapped with charges of conduct likely to breach peace . His case drew widespread media coverage even beyond Zambian borders. Pilato on record was arrested once in his career over his songs over the song "Bufi". In the song Pilato and Petersen sing about broken promises like cheap fuel, construction of roads and job opportunities for young people. They used words like Boza, Bufi, Ulabeja, Wenye, which all mean the same thing: lies. But all these reports where dismissed by the Lusaka Police Chief Joyce Kasosa that Pilato has been detained over his latest song titled Bufi. The police Chef said the police department have not recorded any such incident and that Pilato is still a free citizen. Pilato also then confirmed saying he had not been to any police station. In June 2015 Pilato was arrested over a song remix of the legendary Nashil Pischen Kazembe's Aphiri Anabwela but featuring Pilato's lyrics which call President Lungu "a drunk," among several other insults. After he got out jail, Pilato said he cannot defame the Head of State with his song and that he was just merely bringing out his message.

Awards and nominations 2010 – Award for Zambia's Best Poet – Ngoma Awards. 2011 – Nominated For Best Video – Born & Bred Awards. 2014 – Award For Best Collaboration – Zambia Music Awards. 2014 – Nominated For Most Conscious Song Category – Born & Bred Awards

Discography

Albums The Forsaken Prophecy – 2015 Just Stupid – 2014 Judy's – 2012

Selected songs pilAto - Ichashishita PilAto – Bwetete PilAto – Hello (Kesulenifye) (Adele Cover) – 2015 PilAto – Ba Peggy PilAto – Alungu Anbwela PilAto – Bufi (lies) PilAto – Mirror (Lil Wayne cover) – 2011