By KELVIN KACHINGWE
SOME local music fans have tried to compare Kay Figo with Mampi, a comparison that has drawn some sharp if not emotive reactions from the fans of the Walilowelela singer. For them, Mampi remains the ultimate diva. Maybe!
But there is still no denying that you cannot ignore the arrival of Kay on the local music front. In the past, there have been so many pretenders in the female roost of local music that it is sometimes difficult to trace where they have finally ended-up. Have they just vanished in thin air? That is a question begging an answer.
However, when it comes to those that have come ‘here to stay’, Mampi does actually stand-out. The reason is simple; she keeps churning out some tunes that the public, including some of her detractors, cannot just afford to ignore.
The same can be said about Kay, who has released such songs as Kanyelele, Chachilamo and Wamona Wandowa.
While Mampi attracts criticisms from certain sections because of her largely skimpy outfits, particularly on stage, Kay has come-in for the same also for what her critics say are provocative moves in her videos and stage craft.
Fortunately, however, her critics also agree that her provocative moves have so far worked so-well for her. 
One just has to look at the reception she received at Lusaka’s Break Point in Kabwata area last Friday night, to appreciate the fact that Kay is on a high. Ok, agreed, her dancing queens can be crazy, but so can be the fans.
Some of the things that the fans engaged in at Breakpoint may make the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, look like saints. The easier thing will be to blame alcohol, but those that went over-board are not the only ones who were drinking. Maybe, that is what you call irresistible.
Yes, it is true that in recent weeks, local music fans have been starved of some entertainment, and as such, most of them are willing to go anywhere ‘it is happening’ as they say in their common parlance, just to have some form of fun. But, it is also true that Kay has a genuine and passionate following, thanks to some catchy songs and those so-called provocative antics.
Here, she was performing with her two dancing queens, almost non-stop for a good number of hours, and yet, the moment she tried to take a break, the audience would not have any of that. Poor Kay, despite her exhaustions, she was compelled to go on with her performance, and still able to draw from her top drawer. 
That she was forced to continue may explain why sometimes musicians prefer to come on stage a little late, if only to satisfy the drunks who are in no hurry to go home.
Elsewhere, a show ideally takes no more than three hours, which is just about enough time to leave the performer with some extra energy.
Anyway, Kay was simply paying the right price for her popularity, and she herself, must be encouraged and proud that she continues to attract such an over-enthusiastic crowd to her shows.