Sub Sabala vs Y Celeb Beef – Opponent Talya Inama Diss Track (Explained)
Zambian hip-hop is ablaze with controversy as rapper Sub Sabala has launched a direct lyrical assault on former groupmate Y Celeb with the fiery diss track “Opponent Talya Inama,” released February 5, 2026. The song marks an explosive escalation in tensions between the two former 408 Empire members, with Sub Sabala stepping into full battle mode to tell his side of the story.
How Y Celeb Started It: “Behind The Scenes”
The beef ignited when Y Celeb released “Behind The Scenes” in January 2026, a revealing song where the rapper exposed what really happened during his time with the 408 Empire trio. The group, which consisted of Y Celeb (Webster Chikalaba), Ray Dee (popularly known as Mr. R), and Sub Sabala (also known as Sub Juicy), was once a formidable force in Zambian hip-hop.
In “Behind The Scenes,” Y Celeb detailed the internal conflicts that destroyed the group, with money sharing being the primary issue. However, the most controversial revelation came when Y Celeb claimed that the group initially relied on God for protection, but things changed when “one started to mention about witch doctors.” This statement, suggesting someone in the group turned to juju for success, made Y Celeb sense danger and ultimately contributed to the 408 Empire breakup.
Sub Sabala Fires Back: “Opponent Talya Inama”
In response, Sub Sabala released “Opponent Talya Inama,” which translates to “opponent doesn’t eat meat” in Bemba—a clever insult suggesting Y Celeb has no teeth. Throughout the diss track, Sub Sabala doesn’t hold back, narrating his side of the story and throwing multiple jabs at Y Celeb. He calls his former groupmate various derogatory names, repeatedly mocking him for allegedly not having teeth, hence the track’s biting title.
The diss goes beyond just the witchcraft accusations, with Sub Sabala addressing the money issues Y Celeb mentioned and presenting his own version of what caused the 408 Empire split. The song has quickly gone viral across Zambian social media, with fans divided between Team Sub Sabala and Team Y Celeb.
The 408 Empire Backstory
The 408 Empire was once a promising hip-hop collective featuring three talented rappers. However, like many groups before them, internal conflicts over finances and spiritual matters led to their dissolution. Y Celeb’s “Behind The Scenes” revelation about witchcraft accusations adds a particularly African dimension to the beef, touching on deeply held beliefs about juju and spiritual protection in the entertainment industry.
The money sharing dispute mentioned by Y Celeb is a common problem in music groups, where unequal contributions, perceived unfair splits, or management issues often cause irreparable rifts. Combined with the explosive witchcraft allegations, the 408 Empire’s breakup became inevitable.
Fan Reactions and Industry Response
Social media has exploded with reactions to the diss track. Y Celeb’s loyal fanbase has defended their champion, pointing to his extensive catalog of hits including “Ifilamba Fyande” with J Doller, “Ba Lesa Tabaya” featuring Afunika and Jay Dollar, and his “End of 2025 Freestyle.” Meanwhile, Sub Sabala supporters argue that their artist’s boldness in directly calling out Y Celeb demonstrates confidence and lyrical superiority.
What’s Next?
As of publication, Y Celeb has not officially responded to Sub Sabala’s diss track, though fans are anticipating a clapback is imminent. Given Y Celeb’s history of addressing disrespect through music and his proven lyrical abilities showcased in tracks like “Ndamonamo Zero,” a response seems inevitable. The question isn’t if Y Celeb will respond, but when and how devastating his reply will be.
The beef has reignited conversations about Zambian hip-hop’s competitive spirit and whether such confrontations elevate or damage the industry. Regardless of perspective, one thing is certain: Zambian hip-hop fans are here for the drama, and streaming numbers for both artists are likely to surge as the beef unfolds.
Download Sub Sabala – “Opponent Talya Inama” (Y Celeb Diss)
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Stay tuned to ZambianMusicDownload.com for Y Celeb’s response and all updates on this developing beef.
