B Flow

From Chalo Chatu, Zambia online encyclopedia
Revision as of 11:28, 21 June 2016 by Icem4k (talk | contribs)
B Flow
Born
Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya

(1986-11-12) November 12, 1986 (age 37)
Kabwe, Zambia
Other names
  • B Flow
Occupation
  • Singer
  • Musician
  • Songwriter
  • Producer
  • Radio Presenter
Musical career
Genres
  • Dance-hall
  • Afro-Pop
  • Ragga
  • R&B
  • KaliDanceHall [1]
Instruments
  • Vocals
Years active2000-present
Labels
  • Chant-it-on Music & Media
  • Romaside
  • Money Music
  • ZedWay [2]
  • K-Army
Associated acts

Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya (born November 12, 1986) known as B Flow , is a Zambian Dance hall Artist, Social Justice Advocate, Part Time Radio Presenter, Peer Educator and Owner of Chant-It-On Music & Media is also the current Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM). He is also the global ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS for the American organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and also the first Zambian artist to launch an album at the US Embassy. The event was proudly powered by the United States government through the embassy. The stage name B Flow was inspired by numerous praises from 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).

Early life

B Flow was born in Kabwe on 12 November 1986. 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. 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. 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 was later trained by the Kabwe Adventist Family Health Institute(KAFHI) as a peer educator. His club won a number of quiz & talent competitions(Music, Drama and Poetry) on AIDS & Drug awareness in central province. After his final year 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.

Music and Career

Mr Ignatius Chongwe nicknamed as Lawyer Without Boarders 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 two non-governmental organizations known as AIDS Health Care Foundation(AHF) and USAID-funded SHARe II 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. [2]


Awards

  1. Best Conscious Video (B Flow & All Stars- Song of peace during Elections)- Born & Bred Music Video Awards 2011.
  2. Best Dancehall Video (Akamungeli)- Born & Bred Music Video Awards 2012.
  3. Recognition Award for Excellence (Voiceless Woman album) - ZNBC/Born & Bred Music Video Awards 2013.
  4. Best Dancehall Artist/Album (Voiceless Woman)- Zambian Music Awards 2014.
  5. Best Conscious Video (Side Plate) - Born & Bred Music Video Awards 2014/2015


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

External links

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bflow
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Radio interview on Norway National Radio |url= http://p3.no/musikk/christines-jul-ane-brun-og-admiral-p/ |publisher= ZedWay

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Retrieved from "http://www.chalochatu.org/index.php?title=B_Flow&oldid=1967"