Chef 187 || Tells A Story Of Being A ‘Shimaini’ General Worker
In a recent episode of the KT1 Podcast, Zambian hip-hop heavyweight Chef 187 gave fans a deeper look into his life as a Shimaini.
The rapper shared his humble beginnings and the struggles he faced while working as a Shimaini — a term used on the Copperbelt to describe miners who work in the mines, symbolic of the province’s copper-rich identity.
Chef 187 revealed that he once worked as a general worker at one of the mines, a job that tested his strength and patience. He recalled knocking off at 17 hours every day, often returning home exhausted — something his aunt quickly noticed as he kept dozing off.
Despite the tough working conditions, Chef says that period taught him valuable life lessons, especially from interacting with people from all walks of life.
Those experiences, he explained, helped shape his mindset and built the resilience that later fueled his pursuit of music.
From being a Shimaini to becoming one of Zambia’s most celebrated rappers, Chef 187 story is a true testament to hard work, growth, and unwavering determination.
