B Flow: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = B Flow | | name = B Flow | ||
| image | | image = | ||
| caption = B Flow in performance | |||
| caption = B Flow | | birth_name = Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya | ||
| birth_name = Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|11|12}} | ||
| | | birth_place = [[Kabwe]], [[Zambia]] | ||
| nationality = [[Zambian]] | |||
| other_names = B’Flow, B-Flow | |||
| occupation = Musician, Social Advocate, Entrepreneur, Radio Presenter | |||
| known_for = Music For Change Initiative, HIV/AIDS Advocacy, ''KaliDanceHall'' | |||
| years_active = 2009–present | |||
| notable_works = ''Voiceless Woman'', ''Dear Mama'', ''Sunda Station'' | |||
| organisation = Music For Change, [[Zambia Association of Musicians]] | |||
| title = B Flow | |||
| website = | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya''' (born 12 November 1986), popularly known by his stage name '''B Flow''' (also stylised as '''B’Flow''' or '''B-Flow'''), is a Zambian Afro-Dancehall and Hip Hop artist, media entrepreneur, and civic advocate. He is best known for his fusion music style called '''KaliDanceHall''', which combines traditional Zambian Kalindula rhythms with modern dancehall beats. His work spans music, public health advocacy, youth engagement, and social justice. | |||
B Flow is the founder of the ''Music For Change Initiative'', an organisation that uses music to raise awareness on pressing social issues including HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and human rights. He also serves as the current Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) Committee under the [[Zambia Association of Musicians]] (ZAM), where he promotes socially conscious music and youth outreach. | |||
Internationally, B Flow is recognised as a Global Ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a U.S.-based health organisation. In this role, he uses his public platform and performances to spread messages of prevention, stigma reduction, and empowerment, especially among young people. He was also the **first Zambian artist to officially launch an album at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, in an event supported and hosted by the United States government. | |||
The stage name "B Flow" emerged from local fans who frequently praised his lyrical "flow" during early performances. Over the years, he transformed that recognition into a personal brand, merging art with activism. | |||
In November 2016, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) named B Flow among its 16 Voices of Activism Against Gender-Based Violenc, an international campaign that highlighted individuals using their platforms to fight GBV. His inclusion alongside global activists underscored the international reach of his message and his growing influence beyond Zambia. | |||
Aside from his musical and advocacy work, B Flow is also a part-time radio presenter and peer educator. He remains active in community engagement programmes, public dialogues, and youth mentorship across Zambia. | |||
'''Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya''' (born November | |||
and also the first Zambian artist to launch an album at the | |||
== Early life and education== | == Early life and education== | ||
B Flow was born in Kabwe on 12 November 1986. He was raised by his grandmother Matilda Chiti-Byrne and his mother Mirriam Mulenga Mumba Byrne, a policewoman. | |||
B Flow was born in Kabwe on 12 November 1986. He was raised by his grandmother Matilda Chiti-Byrne and his mother Mirriam Mulenga Mumba Byrne, a policewoman. His father Mathews "Mizzy" Kasoka was a football coach for Kabwe Warriors football club. B flow cames from a family full of renowned Zambian musicians like [[Chris Mbewe]] of [[The Great Witch Band]], [[Anna Mwale]] of [[The Mwale Sisters]] and [[Ras Willie]]. B Flow's grandmother Matilda was a teacher by profession and she taught him how to read and write English which then became his favourite subject. When he was 6 years old, he enrolled at Kasanda Malombe Primary School. In 2nd Grade, he joined the school Boy Scouts for a few months. | [[File:Young B Flow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|360x360px|left]] His father Mathews "Mizzy" Kasoka was a football coach for Kabwe Warriors football club. B flow cames from a family full of renowned Zambian musicians like [[Chris Mbewe]] of [[The Great Witch Band]], [[Anna Mwale]] of [[The Mwale Sisters]] and [[Ras Willie]]. | ||
B Flow's grandmother Matilda was a teacher by profession and she taught him how to read and write English which then became his favourite subject. When he was 6 years old, he enrolled at Kasanda Malombe Primary School. In 2nd Grade, he joined the school Boy Scouts for a few months. | |||
[[File:B FLOW School.jpg|thumb|right]] | |||
At the age of 8 he and his friends played a small band by turning pots and buckets into drums and making [[Banjos]](non-electric guitars) using tins, planks and strings. Among that band B Flow was the only one who is now a professional musician. Brian started out as a member of the School Boys' Scout Club in Grade 1 at Kasanda Malombe Primary School in Kabwe. He left the club shortly and became a basketball player which his uncle Frank Byrne introduced him to and played for fun for about 7years. | At the age of 8 he and his friends played a small band by turning pots and buckets into drums and making [[Banjos]](non-electric guitars) using tins, planks and strings. Among that band B Flow was the only one who is now a professional musician. Brian started out as a member of the School Boys' Scout Club in Grade 1 at Kasanda Malombe Primary School in Kabwe. He left the club shortly and became a basketball player which his uncle Frank Byrne introduced him to and played for fun for about 7years. | ||
In his 4th Grade, Brian and his mother moved to Serenje with where he joined the poetry club at Serenje Boma School and participated in competitions; reciting poems. The following year Brian learned how to beat the African drum and became a drummer and singer in the school cultural group. He was also one of the only two male dancers in the group. At the age of 11 he started listening to reggae music a collection that his mom owned and his love for reggae | In his 4th Grade, Brian and his mother moved to Serenje with where he joined the poetry club at Serenje Boma School and participated in competitions; reciting poems. The following year Brian learned how to beat the African drum and became a drummer and singer in the school cultural group. He was also one of the only two male dancers in the group. At the age of 11 he started listening to reggae music a collection that his mom owned and his love for reggae music started to grow with likes of Bob Marley being hits of his early childhood. In 7th Grade, B Flow and his brother Terence Sampa were transferred back to Kabwe where they attended Broadway Primary and Basic School and he was always punished for singing and drumming in class by his class teacher at his new school. At age 13, he formed a group called Natty Boys. The group only performed at one party and disbanded because B Flow was the only member who had the ability to compose songs and the confidence to sing in front of people, while the rest of the members were shy. | ||
He then formed Hot Kays which consisted of B Flow and Zed Pride's Ron Kay, the duo dedicated their time learning the art of song writing, rhyming and arranging lyrics B Flow then known as Attic B, specialised in Rap and Ragga while Ron Kay specialised in R&B. | He then formed Hot Kays which consisted of B Flow and Zed Pride's Ron Kay, the duo dedicated their time learning the art of song writing, rhyming and arranging lyrics B Flow then known as Attic B, specialised in Rap and Ragga while Ron Kay specialised in R&B. | ||
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==Awards and nominations== | ==Awards and nominations== | ||
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