B'Flow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids B'Flow
B'Flow in the studio in May 2023.
Born	Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya (1986-11-12) November 12, 1986 (age 38) 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 as B Flow, is a famous Zambian musician and activist. He uses his music to speak up for important causes. B Flow is also a media personality and helps people through his charity work. He founded an organization called Music For Change.

From 2014 to 2017, B Flow led a committee at the Zambia Association of Musicians. This committee used music to talk about health and social issues. Later, in 2018, he became the Publicity Secretary for the association. B Flow is also a worldwide ambassador for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). He helps in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He was the first Zambian artist to launch an album at a US Embassy, with support from the United States government. His stage name, B Flow, came from people who loved his musical 'flow'. B Flow also created a new music style called "KaliDanceHall." This style mixes traditional Zambian Kalindula music with Dance Hall. In 2016, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recognized B Flow. They named him one of 16 global activists working against unfair treatment based on gender.

Early Life and School

Young Brian getting ready for school.

Brian Bwembya was born in Kabwe, Zambia. His grandmother, Matilda Chiti-Byrne, and his mother, Mirriam Mulenga Mumba Byrne, mostly raised him. His mother was a policewoman. His father, Mathews "Mizzy" Kasoka, coached the Kabwe Warriors football team. B Flow comes from a family with musical talent. His relatives include Chris Mbewe from The Great Witch Band and Anna Mwale from The Mwale Sisters.

B Flow's grandmother, a teacher, taught him to read and write English. English quickly became his favorite subject. At age six, he started formal school at Kasanda Malombe Primary School. In second grade, he briefly joined the Boy Scouts. Later, he played basketball for about seven years. When he was eight, B Flow and his friends made a small band. They used pots and buckets as drums and made guitars from tins and planks.

In fourth grade, Brian and his mother moved to Serenje. There, he joined the poetry club at Serenje Boma School. The next year, he learned to play the African drum. He became a main drummer and singer in his school's cultural group. He was also one of only two male dancers in the group.

At age 11, B Flow started loving reggae music. His mother's reggae records, especially those by Bob Marley, influenced him greatly. When he returned to Kabwe in seventh grade, he went to Broadway Primary and Basic School. He loved singing and drumming in class, even though it sometimes got him into trouble. At 13, he formed a group called Natty Boys, but it didn't last long. B Flow was the only one who could write songs and perform confidently.

He then started Hot Kays with Ron Kay. They worked hard to learn songwriting and how to arrange lyrics. B Flow focused on Rap and Ragga, while Ron Kay focused on R&B.

In tenth grade at Kabwe High School, Brian joined the Anti-AIDS Club. He was active in quizzes and singing. He became the club's vice president in his third term. Brian helped new members join and taught them about HIV. He also raised awareness through songs and led candlelight walks. He visited places that cared for people with AIDS.

He later trained as a peer educator. This training was from the Kabwe Adventist Family Health Institute (KAFHI) and Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW). Under his leadership, the club won many quiz and talent contests about AIDS awareness. B Flow often performed at school events. These included closing ceremonies, World AIDS Day events, and debate competitions.

After high school, B Flow moved to Lusaka. He lived with his uncles and went to college. He studied Marketing and Social Science at the National Institute of Public Administration and the University of Zambia. In 2008, he trained as a peer educator again, sponsored by the Society For Family Health (SFH). By 2012, he began using music to teach others and inspire social change. B Flow's musical inspirations include artists like Nasty-D, DaNNY, Sean Paul, and Bob Marley.

Music Career

B Flow with Mampi and KB Killa Beats

Mr. Ignatius Chongwe, known as "Lawyer Without Borders," discovered B Flow's talent. This happened after B Flow performed at a talent show in Kabwe in 2004. Later that year, Mr. Chongwe began to support B Flow's music career.

B Flow's first album, Mpu Mpu Mpu (meaning heartbeat), came out in 2009. This album helped him get nominated for Best New Artist at the 2009 Zambia Ngoma Awards. Songs from the album include "Bubblegum Lover" and "Energizer." His second album, No More Kawilo (meaning no more loneliness), was released in 2011. His third album, Voiceless Woman, came out in 2013.

B Flow has also performed on stage with international artists. These include Brick & Lace, Oliver Mtukuzi, P-Square, and Jah Cure. B Flow is a brand ambassador for several non-profit organizations. These include the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the Obama Foundation. He also supports the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council in Zambia. He is part of the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy campaign. B Flow also leads the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) team for the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM). He is also involved in the Zambia/Norway (ZedWay) project.

Special Recognition

Former US President Barack Obama publicly praised B Flow. This happened during a speech to the 2015 Mandela Leadership Fellows in Washington, D.C. President Obama spoke highly of B Flow for using his music. He noted B Flow's work to speak out against unfair treatment based on gender. He also praised B Flow for teaching young people about HIV/AIDS.

In 2017, B Flow was invited to the first Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, United States. This invitation came from former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. B Flow shared this exciting news on his Facebook page. He said, "I thank God that since 2015, our partnership has grown and the Obamas are still supporting my work in various ways." He added that he felt honored to represent Africa on a global stage. In 2015, President Obama ended his YALI Presidential Summit speech by saying, "So Brian, we are proud to be your partner!" B Flow feels this partnership is truly amazing.

Music and Elections

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

When B Flow launched his fifth album, Dear Mama, he also started his "Go Out and Vote" campaign. He worked with his partner, Young Women in Action. This campaign aimed to teach young people about voting. It helped make sure young voters were ready and willing to take part in the 2016 election in Zambia.

The Go Out To Vote project worked to reduce voter apathy among young Zambians. Voter apathy means people don't care about voting. The project encouraged young people to register, check their details, and vote in 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

The Triple V campaign stood for My Vote, My Voice, My Victory. It was a project that taught young voters about elections. It motivated young and newly registered voters to vote in August 2016. Triple V reached young voters through music and social media.

The project worked with B Flow, Kan 2, and Dj 800. They held roadshows where the artists taught young people. They explained why it was important to take part in elections.

Young African Leaders Initiative

In 2015, the United States Embassy in Zambia chose B Flow. He was selected to represent Zambia in President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (Mandela Washington Fellowship). He spent three months in different US cities for this program.

During the program, United States President Barack Obama spoke to over 700 young Africans. He praised B Flow for his excellent work. Obama noted how B Flow used his music to speak out against unfair treatment based on gender. He also praised B Flow for educating youth about HIV/AIDS. President Obama also announced the start of B Flow's record company. B Flow is the first artist in the world to be publicly supported by a US president.

Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) also gave B Flow a special opportunity. He received a Professional Development Experience (PDE). This allowed him to work in the American music industry with a US company called Okayafrica in New York. The American organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) also named B Flow a global ambassador. He helps in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He is part of the organization's worldwide 20 by 20 Campaign.

Awards and Nominations

Other Awards

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

Discography

Studio Albums