‘My rise from ashes, and journey with Y-Celeb,’ Abatali tells story of transformation in debut album

Zambian artiste, Super Kena Abatali, known for his powerful lyrics and resilient spirit, has opened up about his difficult past in his debut album, “Man of the Match.”

Through his music, he shared a deeply personal and emotional journey of family struggles, abandonment, and the unexpected kindness that transformed his life.

Abatali was born in 2010 alongside his twin brother Kapya, both diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a medical condition sometimes called “water in the head,” which involved an excess of cerebrospinal fluid.

The two boys were taken to the hospital for treatment to remove the fluid, but only Abatali survived.

Reflecting on this time, he shared, “We went to the hospital to have the excess fluid removed, but sadly, my brother Kapya passed away. The treatment helped reshape my head, but it was a painful time.”

His early years were marked by a deep sense of loss and struggle.

Soon after his brother’s passing, Abatali faced a different kind of pain.

His mother left the family, unwilling to care for a child with a disability, leaving him with words that would haunt him for years: “Teti ulenfyalisha ifimbuma” — roughly translated as, “You can’t keep giving birth to burdens.”

Raised by his father, Abatali’s life became even more challenging when his father remarried.

In the album, he recounted the abuse he endured from his stepmother, describing how he was often left outside to sleep if his father was away and given little food, while she enjoyed meals inside.

“I was treated like a street kid, especially wearing tattered clothes,” he shared. “The only person who recognised my worth was Y-Celeb.”

Y-Celeb, a well-known rapper, had occasionally visited the family, taking an interest in Abatali’s situation.

But Abatali’s stepmother disapproved and whenever Y-Celeb left, she would punish Abatali, forbidding him from seeking help outside the family.

Y-Celeb’s presence became both a source of comfort and tension, as Abatali’s stepmother would allegedly beat him once Y-Celeb left.

To survive, Abatali took to collecting scrap metal to earn small amounts of money for food, facing the harsh reality of his life as a young boy on his own.

He recounted how one day, after a particularly severe beating, Y-Celeb intervened and took him away from his father’s house for good.

Since moving in with Y-Celeb, Abatali’s life had transformed.

Now, he expressed immense gratitude for Y-Celeb’s generosity and the new life he’s been given.

“Thanks to Y-Celeb, my life has transformed for the better, and I am truly grateful for his kindness. I hope that God blesses him abundantly,” Abatali shared.

In Man of the Match, Abatali not only tells his story but also extends his gratitude to the man who helped him find hope and healing.

Through this album, he hoped to inspire others who are struggling, showing that kindness and support can turn even the darkest situations around.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.