B'Flow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids B'Flow
B'Flow in the studio in May 2023.
Born	Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya Kabwe, Zambia
Other names	B Flow Junior Obama Dancehall Champion Mr Chant-it-on
Occupation	Musician Record Producer Human Rights Activist
Musical career
Genres	Dancehall Hip hop KaliDanceHall
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2005-present
Labels	Music For Change Romaside (Former) ZedWay K-Army
Associated acts	Common Queen Latifah Chef 187 Just Slim Macky 2 P Jay Harry Belafonte

Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya known professionally as B Flow (B'Flow or B-Flow), is a Zambian musician, media personality, humanitarian, philanthropist, social justice advocate, and founder of Music For Change. He served as Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) from 2014 to 2017, before being elected to the position of Publicity Secretary in 2018. He is the global ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS for American organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and also the first Zambian artist in the world to launch an album at a US Embassy. The event was sponsored by the United States government through the embassy. The stage name B Flow was inspired by people who loved his 'flow'. B Flow also took a new direction with his music, changing his genre to what is now known as “KaliDanceHall” (A mix of traditional Zambian Kalindula music and Dance Hall). In November 2016, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) named B Flow as one of the 16 voices of activism against gender-based violence around the world.

Early life

Young Brian getting ready for school.

Bwembya was born in Kabwe and primarily raised by his grandmother, Matilda Chiti-Byrne, along with his mother, Mirriam Mulenga Mumba Byrne, who served as a policewoman. His father, Mathews "Mizzy" Kasoka, held the role of a football coach for the Kabwe Warriors football club. B Flow hails from a family with notable connections to the Zambian music industry, including Chris Mbewe of The Great Witch Band, Anna Mwale of The Mwale Sisters, and Ras Willie. B Flow's early education was under the tutelage of his grandmother, Matilda, who was a professional educator. She played a pivotal role in teaching him the fundamentals of reading and writing in English, which soon became his favorite subject. At the age of 6, he commenced his formal education at Kasanda Malombe Primary School. During his second grade, he briefly joined the Boy Scouts but later shifted his interests to basketball, which he pursued as a leisure activity for approximately seven years. At the age of 8, B Flow, along with his friends, formed a small band by ingeniously crafting makeshift drums from pots and buckets, as well as crafting Banjos (non-electric guitars) from tins, planks, and strings.

During his fourth-grade years, Brian and his mother relocated to Serenje, where he became involved in the poetry club at Serenje Boma School. The following year, he acquired skills in playing the African drum, eventually becoming a prominent drummer and vocalist in the school's cultural group. He also displayed his talents as one of the only two male dancers in the group.

At the age of 11, B Flow's affinity for reggae music began to flourish, influenced by his mother's collection of reggae records, with artists like Bob Marley making a lasting impact on his musical tastes. Upon returning to Kabwe in the seventh grade, B Flow attended Broadway Primary and Basic School, where he exhibited a proclivity for singing and drumming in class. However, this often led to disciplinary actions by his class teacher. At the age of 13, he formed a group called Natty Boys, although it was short-lived due to B Flow being the sole member capable of composing songs and performing confidently in front of an audience, while the other members struggled with shyness. Subsequently, he founded Hot Kays with Ron Kay from Zed Pride. The duo dedicated their time to mastering the art of songwriting, rhyming, and lyric arrangement, with B Flow specializing in Rap and Ragga, while Ron Kay focused on R&B.

During his tenth grade at Kabwe High School, Brian joined the Anti-AIDS Club and played an active role in activities such as quizzes and singing. In the third term of Grade 10, he was elected vice president of the Anti-AIDS Club. Brian mobilized new members and educated the club about HIV. Additionally, he raised awareness about HIV/AIDS through song performances and led the club during candlelight walks and visits to AIDS hospices. He later received training from the Kabwe Adventist Family Health Institute (KAFHI) and the Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) as a peer educator. Under his leadership, the club achieved success in numerous quiz and talent competitions focused on AIDS awareness in the Central Province. B Flow frequently performed at various school events, including closing ceremonies, World AIDS Day events, debate competitions, and other school functions. Following his high school graduation, B Flow relocated to Lusaka, where he lived with his uncles and pursued higher education. He enrolled in college, where he studied Marketing and Social Science at the National Institute of Public Administration and the University of Zambia. During his university years, B Flow was selected to undergo Peer Educators' training, sponsored by the Society For Family Health (SFH) in 2008. In 2012, he began using music as a means to further his peer education efforts and promote social change. B Flow's musical influences include artists such as Nasty-D, DaNNY, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Beanie Man, MC Wabwino, Black Muntu, Master Flo, Sam Kuli, and Alubusu.

Music and career

B Flow with Mampi and KB Killa Beats

Mr Ignatius Chongwe nicknamed as Lawyer Without Boarders [sic] discovered B Flow's singing talent after he performed at a talent show at Sacred Heart Parish in Kabwe in 2004 and the later that year Mr Chongwe started to sponsor B Flow's professional music career. B Flow's first album Mpu mpu mpu (meaning heartbeat)was released in 2009. The album earned B Flow recognition at the 2009 Zambia Ngoma Awards where he was nominated in the Best New Artist Category the album has songs like Bubblegum Lover, Energizer, Mosikito and the album title track Mpu Mpu Mpu. His second solo album called 'No More Kawilo' was released in 2011(meaning no more loneliness). His third album 'Voiceless Woman' was released in 2013. He also had the privilege to share the stage with international artists such as Brick & Lace, Oliver Mtukuzi, P-Square and Jah Cure. B Flow is a brand ambassador for a number of non-governmental organizations the AIDS Health Care Foundation(AHF), USAID-funded SHARe II, the Obama Foundation, National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council in Zambia and the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy campaign he is also the chairman for the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary(HASC) team of the Zambia Association of Musicians(ZAM). B Flow is also a part of the Zambia/Norway(ZedWay) project.

Recognition

Former US President Barack Obama gave special recognition to B Flow when delivering his speech to the 2015 Mandela Leadership Fellows on August 3 in Washington, D.C. President Obama spoke highly of the artist for using his music to advocate against gender-based violence and to educate youths on HIV/AIDS.

In 2017 B Flow was invited to launch of the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, United States by the former US President Barack Obama and former FLOTUS Michelle Obama. B Flow announced the update on his Facebook page. “I will attend the first ever Obama Summit and the launch of Obama foundation which was recently established,” B flow said. “I thank God that since 2015, our partnership has grown and the Obama ‘s are still supporting my work in various ways”. He we went on to say I don't take the privilege of receiving an invitation from Obama for granted, it shows that there is really something am doing right. I’am a very open person, those who are interested in learning some things know that am an open person. I'm always happy to represent the African continent on a global scale. In 2015, President Obama ended his YALI Presidential Summit speech by saying ‘So Brian, we are proud to be your partner!’ I say yes indeed, the partnership is amazing”,

Music and election

B'Flow on stage at the independence stadium in Lusaka. (2016)

During the launch of his fifth album, Dear Mama, B Flow also launched his "Go Out and Vote" campaign phase II with his partner, Young Women in Action. To deliver the voter education message to the youth ensured that the targeted voters be ready, willing, and able to participate fully in the 2016 election process in Zambia. The Go Out To Vote project aims at addressing voter apathy amongst young people in Zambia by encouraging them to register as voters, verify their details in the voter register and finally go out and vote during the 2016 elections.

Triple V Campaign

Kantu, B'Flow and Cactus Agony (far right) at the US Embassy in Lusaka during the Triple V Campaign in 2016

Triple V which stands for My Vote, My Voice, My Victory was a voter education project which used to motivate young and newly registered voters to go out and vote in the August 2016. Triple reached out to young voters through music and social media.

The project was working with B Flow, Kan 2 and Dj 800 in undertaking roadshows. During the roadshows, the artists used to sensitise young people on the important of participating in elections.

Young African leaders initiative

In 2015 the United States Embassy in Zambia, selected B Flow to represent Zambia in President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative ( Mandela Washington Fellowship ). He participated in the US government sponsored program for 3 months in different US cities.

During the program United States President Barack Obama addressed over 700 young Africans and US officials and made a speech in which he endorsed B Flow for his excellent work in using his music to advocate against gender based violence and educating youth on HIV/AIDS. President Obama also announced the formation of B Flow's record company. B Flow is first artist in the world to be endorsed by a US president publicly. Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), also awarded B Flow a highly competitive Professional Development Experience (PDE) to work in the American music industry with US company, Okayafrica, in New York. American organisation AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) also appointed B Flow as global ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He is part of the organization's global 20 by 20 Campaign.

Awards and nominations

Other Awards

1. 2013 HIV/AIDS Awareness Ambassadors' Certificate- USAID Funded SHARe II Project
2. 2014 Zambian representative at Africa Re-imagination Creative Hub(ARCH) Conference African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3. 2015 Symbol of excellence-Unique positive stance in music - New York Mwape Peer Award
4. 2018 Presidential Award from the Zambia Medical Association.

Discography

Studio albums