Maureen Lupo Lilanda aka “Mama Zambia” or fondly known in Zambia as “Aunty Maureen” is a singer-songwriter from Lusaka. Endurance, patience and generosity characterize Maureen best. Her music is warm, vibrant, and soulful; she covers decades of African inspiration but is nicely grounded in her motherland Zambia. Some of her songs are home grown – they are a piece of Zambian soil, traditional music that has been through a musical blender of jazz, soul and various African music styles such as rumba, kisumba, kalendula, and even mbalax. Other songs are from Maureen’s own hand, African contemporary, soul ballads, pop and reggae. 

For the past twenty years she has travelled extensively both locally and internationally consistently grabbing the attention of listeners and fans. Broadening her musical genres from a subdued cabaret-jazz singer to an African vocalist, Maureen blends modern beats and rhythms with authentic sounds from Zambia. A four time recipient of the National Arts Council Award for Best Female Artist, she continues to give her time and experience to musical peers. She spent time as leader of the accapella group Amashiwi and during her long and illustrious career has shared stage with Black Voices (UK), Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Magic System (Cote d'Ivoire) and Baaba Maal (Senegal).