B'Flow

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/Drug 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/Drug Club due to his commitment to counseling fellow students who engaged in smoking marijuana and consuming alcohol. Brian mobilized new members and educated the club about HIV and drug-related issues. 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 and drug 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.

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.[11][12] B Flow is a brand ambassador for a number of non-governmental organizations the AIDS Health Care Foundation(AHF), USAID-funded SHARe II,[13] the Obama Foundation, National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council in Zambia and the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy campaign[1] 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.[5]

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.[18] 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.[19] The Go Out To Vote [20] 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 [20] was a voter [21][22] 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,[23] 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.

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 [26] US officials and made a speech in which he endorsed B Flow [27][29] 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 [26] 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) [6] 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.

• B'Flow on Twitter

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