Zone Fam: Where Are They Now? Complete 2025 Update & Careers
Zone Fam – the name alone sends waves of nostalgia through Zambian hip-hop fans. From 2009 to 2015, these four young men – Jay Rox, Dope G, Yung Verbal, and Tim (Thugga) – dominated the Zambian music scene, won international awards, and put Zambian hip-hop on the African map.
Their breakout hit “Shaka Zulu On Em” became an anthem. Their album “The Business: Foreign Exchange” was 2011’s bestseller. They signed with Taurus Musik (Kenya), performed on Big Brother Africa, and won the Global African Music Award for Best African Group.
Then, on April 1, 2015, everything changed when Tim (Thugga) announced he was leaving to pursue gospel music. Many wondered: Would Zone Fam survive? What would happen to each member?
Now, 10 years after their peak and nearly a decade since Tim’s departure, it’s time to answer the question burning in every fan’s mind: Where are they now?
This is the complete 2025 update on all four Zone Fam members – their individual careers, successes, struggles, and current status.
ZONE FAM: THE GOLDEN YEARS (2009-2015)
Before we dive into where they are now, let’s remember what made Zone Fam legendary:
Formation: 2009 at Zone Studios (Lusaka)
Members: Jay Rox, Dope G, Yung Verbal, Tim (Thugga)
Manager: Duncan Sodala (Holstar) – Slam Dunk Records
Breakthrough: “Shaka Zulu On Em” (2011)
Album: “The Business: Foreign Exchange” (2011) – Zambia’s bestselling hip-hop album that year
International Deal: Taurus Musik (Kenya) – 2012
Major Achievements:
- Best African Group – Global African Music Awards (GAMA)
- Channel O Africa Music Video Award nomination
- Performed on Big Brother Africa (2011)
- Multiple Zambian Music Awards
- First Zambian hip-hop group with continental reach
Their Sound: Zone Fam fused English with Zambian languages (Nyanja, Bemba) and other African languages (Zulu, Tswana), creating a uniquely Southern African hip-hop sound that resonated across borders.
Now, let’s see where life took each member after the glory days…
1. TIM (THUGGA) → GOSPEL MINISTRY
Real Name: Timbwama Chisenga
Born: October 28, 1989 (36 years old)
Stage Names: Tim Thugga (2009-2015), Tim (2015-present)
Current Career: Gospel Rapper, Minister
The Shocking Departure (2015)
On April 1, 2015, Tim dropped a bombshell that shocked Zambia’s music industry – he was leaving Zone Fam at their peak to pursue gospel music. Many thought it was an April Fools’ joke. It wasn’t.
In his announcement, Tim stated:
“I found brothers in the members of the group and we are a family. Even though I have decided to embark on a more Christian path and take up Gospel music; the guys and I will be as close as we have always been…it’s deeper than just music.”
What He’s Doing Now (2025)
Tim has become one of Zambia’s most respected gospel rappers:
Career Highlights:
- “Heartbeat” (2017) – Debut gospel single, produced by Mag44
- “Mwishile Banga” (2021) – Second major single
- “Sonder” album (November 2023) – 21-track masterpiece
The “Sonder” album is considered a landmark in Zambian gospel music, featuring collaborations with:
- Pompi (Africa’s gospel star)
- Abel Chungu & Esther Chungu
- Chef 187 (showing secular respect)
- Dope G (Zone Fam reunion on “Little Me, Big God”)
- Yung Verbal (featured on “Amen”)
- And 10+ other artists
Ministry Focus:
- Transparency about mental health and depression
- Honest gospel addressing real struggles
- Breaking stigma around Christian vulnerability
Current Status:
- Actively releasing gospel music
- Regular features on gospel compilations
- Performs at churches and gospel events
- Mentors young Christian artists
Tim’s transformation is so significant that we’ve dedicated an entire article to his journey: 📖 Read Tim’s Complete Biography: From Zone Fam to Gospel
2. JAY ROX → MUSIC MOGUL & ARTIST
Real Name: Jackson Ngambi Banda
Born: February 23, 1988 (37 years old)
Current Career: CEO Headphone Music, Recording Artist, Producer
The Business Mind
While Zone Fam showcased Jay Rox’s rap skills, his entrepreneurial vision was always evident. After Zone Fam, he doubled down on building an empire.
What He’s Doing Now (2025)
Jay Rox is arguably Zone Fam’s most commercially successful member post-breakup:
Headphone Music (Record Label):
- Founded his own label Headphone Music
- Signs and develops Zambian artists
- One of Zambia’s most respected independent labels
- Business partnerships across Southern Africa
Solo Music Career:
- Consistent hit releases throughout 2015-2025
- Recent Singles (2024-2025):
- “Mfumu (Amen)” feat. Tim (emotional Zone Fam reunion)
- “Bottom Of The Wine Glass”
- “Love Ya Pa Mela” feat. Chester
- “Pona” feat. Kidman
- Multiple collaborations with Willz Mr Nyopole
Notable Collaborations:
- Yo Maps – “Sometimes”
- Slapdee – Multiple tracks including “Neka”
- Triple M – “Ma Shocko”
- Joint Album with Willz Mr Nyopole – “Social Introvert” (successful project)
Current Status:
- Active recording artist
- Running Headphone Music label
- Producing for other artists
- International features with East African artists
Musical Evolution: Jay Rox has evolved from pure hip-hop to incorporating R&B, Afrobeats, and contemporary sounds while maintaining lyrical depth.
3. DOPE G (SAM SAKALA) → ACTOR & RAPPER
Real Name: Sam Sakala
Born: 1980s (exact date not public)
Current Career: Actor, Rapper, Entertainer
The Multitalented Pivot
Dope G’s journey post-Zone Fam took an unexpected turn – from music to television screens across Zambia.
What He’s Doing Now (2025)
Dope G has successfully transitioned to acting while maintaining his music roots:
Acting Career:
- “Love Games” (HIV awareness drama series) – First major role
- “Fever” (Zambezi Magic series) – Played “Taonga,” a wealthy heir character
- “Zuba” (massive hit series) – Career-defining role that made him a household name across Zambia
About His Acting: In interviews, Dope G has said acting was a “gift given by music.” His rap storytelling naturally translated to acting, and he’s become one of Zambia’s most recognized television actors.
Music Career (Still Active):
- Still releases music occasionally
- Featured on Tim’s “Sonder” album – “Little Me, Big God” (Zone Fam reunion moment)
- The performance of “Little Me, Big God” at Tim’s album launch was described as an “explosive stage presence masterclass”
- Solo singles including “My Hair”
Current Status (2025):
- Primarily focused on acting
- “Zuba” role has been transformative for his career
- Stated that Zuba “overwhelmed my music time”
- Still maintains Zone Fam brotherhood
- Open to music collaborations but acting is primary focus
Personal Life:
- Raised by single mother (government schools background)
- Bachelor’s degree holder
- Active on social media as @Dope_G
Philosophy:
“Jealousy is a weak emotion; I know that when my brother wins, I win so I am here for all the stuff my teammates venture into in their own individual capacities as they are here for mine.”
4. YUNG VERBAL (REGINALD LUBE) → MUSIC & LOW PROFILE
Real Name: Reginald Mogane Lube
Also Known As: Verbal Assasin
Current Career: Recording Artist
The Quietest Member
Of all Zone Fam members, Yung Verbal has maintained the lowest public profile since 2015, though he’s never stopped making music.
What He’s Doing Now (2025)
Yung Verbal’s post-Zone Fam career has been more underground compared to his brothers:
Music Career:
- Continued releasing music independently
- Featured on Tim’s “Sonder” album – “Amen” track (Zone Fam reunion)
- Occasional collaborations with Zambian artists
- Maintains presence in Zambian hip-hop circles
Public Presence:
- Less media appearances than Jay Rox or Dope G
- Fewer interviews
- More focused on the music than celebrity
- Active in Lusaka music scene
Current Status:
- Still recording and releasing music
- Maintains Zone Fam brotherhood
- Lower commercial profile but respected in hip-hop community
- Considered a “purist” by underground hip-hop fans
Notable: Despite lower visibility, Yung Verbal is still regarded as one of Zambia’s technically skilled rappers by those who follow underground scenes.
THE ZONE FAM BROTHERHOOD: 10 YEARS LATER
Do They Still Talk?
YES. Despite going separate ways, the Zone Fam bond remains strong:
Evidence of Continued Brotherhood:
- Tim’s “Sonder” Album (2023):
- Featured Dope G on “Little Me, Big God”
- Featured Yung Verbal on “Amen”
- Jay Rox released “Mfumu (Amen)” feat. Tim
- This proved they’re still family
- Public Statements: Zone Fam’s 2015 statement when Tim left: “Thugga has been a significant part of our group and will sorely be missed. Thugga is irreplaceable hence we have chosen not to bring on board a new member…we are indeed a family.”
- Mutual Support:
- They support each other’s projects on social media
- Appear at each other’s events when invited
- No public beef or drama (rare in music industry)
Will Zone Fam Ever Reunite?
Status: Unlikely for a full reunion, but collaborations continue
Why Not a Full Reunion:
- Tim’s commitment to gospel music (can’t return to secular)
- Jay Rox focused on Headphone Music empire
- Dope G’s acting career
- Different life paths and priorities
But Collaborations Are Possible:
- Tim can feature Zone Fam members on gospel tracks
- They can support each other’s individual projects
- One-off performances for special events
What They’ve Said: The members have expressed that even though music brought them together, their brotherhood transcends Zone Fam. They’re family for life, regardless of whether they make music together again.
ZONE FAM’S LEGACY IN 2025
Impact on Zambian Music
What Zone Fam Accomplished:
- Put Zambian Hip-Hop on the Map
- First Zambian hip-hop group with continental recognition
- Proved Zambian artists could compete internationally
- Elevated Production Standards
- Raised the bar for music videos and production quality
- Showed Zambian music could match global standards
- Inspired a Generation
- Current Zambian rappers cite Zone Fam as inspiration
- Artists like Triple M, Dizmo, Umusepela Chile grew up on Zone Fam
- Created a Business Model
- Jay Rox’s Headphone Music shows the path from artist to mogul
- Proved Zambian artists could own their careers
- Brotherhood & Unity
- Despite splitting, they showed you can part ways respectfully
- Their continued support for each other is rare in the industry
Zone Fam’s Catalog Still Matters
Songs Still Played in 2025:
- “Shaka Zulu On Em” – Still an anthem
- “Contolola” – Club classic
- “Translate” – Nostalgic favorite
- “Chikali” (Remix feat. Slapdee & Petersen) – Legendary collaboration
Why They’re Still Relevant:
- Timeless music that doesn’t sound dated
- Represented a golden era of Zambian hip-hop
- Each member’s individual success keeps the Zone Fam name alive
COMPARATIVE SUCCESS: WHO “WON”?
Measuring Success:
Commercial Success: Jay Rox (Headphone Music empire + consistent hits)
Cross-Industry Success: Dope G (household name through acting)
Spiritual Impact: Tim (touching lives through gospel ministry)
Underground Credibility: Yung Verbal (respected by hip-hop purists)
The Truth: Each member defined success differently and achieved it:
- Jay Rox wanted business empire → Got it
- Dope G wanted to entertain → Became TV star
- Tim wanted purpose and ministry → Found it in gospel
- Yung Verbal wanted to stay true to hip-hop → Maintains integrity
They all won – just on different playing fields.
WHAT FANS MISS MOST
Top 5 Things Fans Miss About Zone Fam:
- The Group Chemistry
- Four distinct voices creating magic
- Their banter and brotherhood on tracks
- The Hit-Making Era
- When every Zone Fam release was an event
- Anticipation for new music was unmatched
- The Music Videos
- High-quality visuals that told stories
- “Shaka Zulu On Em” video is still iconic
- The Live Performances
- Energy when all four were on stage
- Crowd participation was electric
- Representing Zambia Abroad
- Pride when Zone Fam performed internationally
- They made Zambians feel seen globally
FAQS
Q: Will Zone Fam ever get back together?
A: A full reunion is unlikely due to Tim’s gospel focus and other members’ different careers, but they continue collaborating on individual projects.
Q: Which Zone Fam member is richest in 2025?
A: Likely Jay Rox, with his Headphone Music label and consistent music releases generating multiple revenue streams.
Q: Why did Tim really leave Zone Fam?
A: Tim had a genuine spiritual transformation and felt called to use his talent for gospel ministry. He battled depression and found peace in Christ. Read his complete story: Tim’s Biography.
Q: Is Dope G still making music?
A: Yes, but acting is his primary focus. He appears on select music projects and reunited with Tim on the “Sonder” album.
Q: What happened to their manager Duncan Sodala (Holstar)?
A: Duncan Sodala continues working in Zambian music management and production, though less visible publicly.
Q: Do they still perform Zone Fam songs?
A: Occasionally at special events or throwback concerts, but not regularly. Tim wouldn’t perform secular lyrics now.
Q: Who was the best rapper in Zone Fam?
A: Subjective! Each had unique strengths – Tim’s storytelling, Jay Rox’s flow, Dope G’s versatility, Yung Verbal’s technical skill.
Q: What’s the most successful Zone Fam song?
A: “Shaka Zulu On Em” remains their most iconic and commercially successful track.
CONCLUSION: DIFFERENT PATHS, SAME BROTHERHOOD
Ten years after their peak and nearly a decade since Tim’s departure, the Zone Fam story is one of success, transformation, and brotherhood that transcends music.
Where They Are Now:
- Tim → Gospel ministry, touching lives spiritually
- Jay Rox → Music mogul, building Zambian talent
- Dope G → TV star, entertaining millions
- Yung Verbal → Underground artist, staying true
What They Proved:
- Success comes in many forms
- You can part ways and still be family
- Individual growth doesn’t mean group failure
- Zambian talent can compete globally
The Zone Fam Legacy: They didn’t just make music – they opened doors, raised standards, and inspired a generation. In 2025, their influence is visible in every Zambian rapper who dreams big, every artist who values production quality, and every group that prioritizes brotherhood over beef.
Zone Fam may not perform together anymore, but their impact is eternal.
As Dope G said:
“We are brothers. When my brother wins, I win.”
And all four brothers are winning – just on their own terms.
