B'Flow

Early life

Bwembya was born in Kabwe and 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 comes from a family 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 Boy Scouts. He left the club shortly after and became a basketball player which he played for fun for about 7 years.

At 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.

In 4th Grade, Brian and his mother moved to Serenje with where he joined the poetry club at Serenje Boma School. 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 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, however 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.

During his 10 Grade at Kabwe High School Brian joined the Anti-AIDS/Drug Club the same year, where he actively participated in quiz and singing. In 3rd term of Grade 10, Brian was elected vice president for the Anti-AIDS/Drug Club because of his dedication to counselling his fellow pupils who used to smoke Marijuana and drink alcohol. Brian mobilized new members and taught the club about HIV and drugs. He also raised awareness on HIV/AIDS through song and led the club during candlelight walks and visits to AIDS hospices. He was later trained by the Kabwe Adventist Family Health Institute (KAFHI) and the Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) as a peer educator. His club won a number of quiz & talent competitions(Music, Drama and Poetry) on AIDS & Drug awareness in central province. B Flow always performed at most of the school functions which included closing ceremonies, World AIDS Day event, debate competitions and other school parties.

After his final year of high school, B Flow moved to Lusaka to live with his uncles and enrolled into college. He studied marketing and social science at the National Institute of Public Administration and University of Zambia. Whilst in university, B Flow was selected for a Peer Educators' training, sponsored by the Society For Family Health(SFH) in 2008. In 2012, B Flow started to use music to continue his peer education and influence social change.

B Flow's musical influence came from musicians like Nasty-D, DaNNY, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Beanie Man, MC Wabwino, Black Muntu, Master Flo, Sam Kuli and Alubusu.

Music and career

Mr Ignatius Chongwe nicknamed as Lawyer Without 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

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. The Go Out To Vote 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.

Negative response The campaign had been a successful program but in 2015 while in Mongu B-Flow and fellow Triple V members got some negative response as some fans ended up crashing B-Flow's car during the aftermath of the show.

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 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

Best Dance hall Album

Best Conscious Video

Best Dance hall Video

Best Collaboration Video

Most Educative Album

Best International Achievement

Best Humanitarian Award

Best Artist (Central Province

Discography

Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected information Title Album detailsCertificationMpu Mpu Mpu Released: 2008/2009

Formats: CD, Digital downloadDabo Trabo Released: 2010

Formats: CD, Digital downloadNo More Kawilo Released: 2012

Formats: CD, Digital downloadVoiceless Woman Released: 2013

Formats: CD, Digital downloadDear Mama Released: 2016

Formats: CD, Digital download