Lily Tembo (November 20, 1981 – September 14, 2009), professionally known as Lily T, was a Zambian musician, radio presenter, journalist and charity worker[1][2] who had won national acclaim with her 2004 debut album Lily T.[3] For this album, she received two awards.

Lily Tembo
Birth nameLily Tembo
Also known asLily T
Born(1981-11-20)November 20, 1981
Kabwe, Zambia
DiedSeptember 14, 2009(2009-09-14) (aged 27)
Lusaka, Zambia
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, journalist
Years active1992–2009

Tembo had released two albums and was working on a third at the time of her death. Aside from singing, she was known for presenting on the 5th FM Radio in Zambia, working as a journalist and involved in charity work.

Background edit

Tembo was born in Kabwe, Zambia, and was raised in a music-loving family. She was inspired by her father, who played African bongo, and her sisters and mother, who sung in church. Tembo attended secondary school at the Kabulonga Girls High School in Zambia's capital City, Lusaka. Later on, she pursued a career in journalism at Evelyn Hone College.

Tembo emerged onto the music market in 2004 with the album Lily T, which started her career and brought her national attention.[3] She released her second album in 2006. Tembo was also a newsreader for 5th FM radio, a radio station based in Lusaka, Zambia.

After winning one award, she was recognized by BBC Africa as a promising African celebrity who remained original to traditional instruments.[4]

Charity work edit

Lily had been involved in raising malaria awareness in Zambia. In April 2009, she led worshippers at a world malaria day commemoration in Lusaka.[5]

Death edit

After complaining over "minor stomach pains"[6] and suffering severe gastritis,[7][8] Tembo died on September 14, 2009 at the age of 27.

Tembo's sister Patience told the press "She had gastritis, she fell sick on Saturday, started vomiting a lot and developed anaemia. On Monday around 19:00 hours, she died."[9]

Discography edit

  • Lily T (2004)
  • Osalila (2006)

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Result
2005 Koala Awards Best New Artist Nominated
2007 Ngoma Awards Best Female Recording Artist Won
Best Music Video Award Won

References edit

  1. ^ Lily Tembo Stans Music
  2. ^ Almbum Review: Lily T BH magazine Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b African Entertainment and Music Lyrics Africa Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Angélique Kidjo on being hangry and Africa's tsunami of talent". November 17, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  5. ^ World Malaria day Parth Archived November 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Lily Tembo is dead UKZambians,(content encoded by Zend Guard)
  7. ^ Zambias female singer Lily T dead AfricaNews Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ [1] Lusaka Times
  9. ^ aaaaaia.com/content/view/13658/50/ Singer Lily T dies The Post Archived September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine