Every great producer starts with a sound that sparks something within them. For Jeff Phiri, popularly known as Jaefam, it began with a simple question: What really happens behind the music we hear?
That curiosity turned into a passion, pushing a young boy from Lusaka to teach himself the art of music production and explore the world behind every song. What started as a desire to understand how music was created has now become a journey of creativity, dedication, and growth.
Today, at just 27 years old, Jaefam is not only producing music he is helping artists transform ideas, emotions, and personal stories into sounds that connect with people.
Born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, Jeff Phiri has grown into a talented music producer, sound engineer, and sound designer who has built his craft through self learning and experience. Everything he knows today has come from years of curiosity, practice, and a deep passion for music.
The more he learned about production, the more he realised that music was not just an interest but something he wanted to dedicate himself to. Over the years, Jaefam has developed his skills in producing, recording artists, mixing, mastering, writing, and helping bring creative ideas to life.
“One thing about me is that I enjoy being part of the whole creative process, from hearing the first rough idea to hearing the final version of the song.”
For Jaefam, production is not only about creating a beat or a sound it is about being part of the entire journey of a song.
Throughout his career, he has worked with both upcoming and established artists, with every project helping him grow and discover more about his own sound. His work includes collaborations with artists such as Krytic, K-Star, 76 Drums, Jay Rox, Saliya Miyanda, and Ndine Emma, among others.
Working with different artists and fellow creatives, including IAM Creed, Macmillan, and Namakau, has also contributed to his growth as a producer. These experiences have helped him develop a unique sound and identity that separates him from other producers.
One of Jaefam’s biggest achievements is the trust artists place in him to take their ideas and turn them into finished pieces of music that reach people and create emotional connections.
“Being trusted with an artist’s idea and being able to produce something that reaches a wide community and touches people’s emotions is one of my biggest achievements,” he says.
Another milestone in his journey was being recognised by DW TV, an achievement that highlighted his progress and dedication to his craft.
Beyond creating music, Jaefam’s passion lies in helping artists discover their own sound. He believes every artist has a unique story to tell and should not be forced into sounding like everyone else.
“At the end of the day, I just want to make music that people can genuinely connect with,” he says.
His inspiration comes from everyday life, the stories of people, emotions, personal experiences, and the music he grew up listening to.
“What inspires me is people’s stories, emotions, what people go through, and the music I grew up listening to.”
However, the journey has not always been easy. Like many creatives, Jaefam has faced challenges while trying to grow in a competitive industry and at the same time understand both the creative and business sides of music.
“The journey hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to grow in a competitive industry while figuring out both the creative and business sides of music.”
Those challenges, however, have helped him become more patient, focused, and serious about his craft.
As he continues to build his name in Zambia’s music industry, Jaefam’s goal goes beyond personal success. He wants to be part of something bigger working with people who value genuine talent, meaningful content, and authentic music.
For Jaefam, the journey is still unfolding. But with every song he helps create, he continues to prove that sometimes the biggest careers begin with a simple question and the courage to follow the answer.
By Namakau Lishebo

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