CHILE ONE OPENS UP ABOUT FATHERLESS UPBRINGING
….Zambian hit maker clears social media confusion, honouring his mother’s struggles
By DAVID KANDUZA
AWARD-WINNING singer Chile One Mr Zambia has delivered his most candid interview yet, detailing the painful reality of being raised by a single mother after his biological father died during his early infancy.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Dads Without Dads podcast, the ‘Boy from Chililand’ reflected on how the absence of a father figure shaped his early maturity and influenced his transition into fatherhood.
During the interview, the singer addressed long-standing social media confusion regarding his family.
Fans had previously questioned contradictory reports after Chile One mourned a ‘father’ figure who passed away.
“My real father died when I was very young and was never part of my story,” Chile One clarified on the Dads Without Dads podcast.
He explained that because of this void, he naturally grew up calling uncles and influential men in his life ‘dad,’ which led to the public misunderstandings during recent family bereavements.
Despite his father passing away when he was a toddler, he still holds faint, bittersweet memories of the funeral and being sick during that period.
With his biological father absent, the responsibility fell entirely on his mother.
Chile One spoke passionately about her resilience, recalling how she sold items like cassava roots to keep them afloat in Chililabombwe.
“I only grew up with my mother,” he stated. “She used to do the best she could to ensure I was provided with all I needed. I matured at an early stage of my life, which made me understand that mum could not manage to give me everything I wanted”.
The artist noted that while his upbringing was filled with love, a father figure remained crucial for young men.
He warned that a lack of guidance often drives young males toward drug abuse and other retrogressive vices, which has fueled his ongoing initiative to launch a foundation supporting the boy-child.
‘The raw discussion comes at a poetic time for the musician.
Having welcomed his first child earlier this year, Chile One recently dropped a deeply personal single titled ‘Destiny’.
The track serves as a double-entendre celebrating both his daughter, Destiny and his personal triumph over a challenging, fatherless childhood.
By breaking the cycle, Chile One told the podcast that he was determined to give his child the paternal presence he never experienced himself.