B Flow
Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya (born November 12) better known by his stage name B Flow (also written as B'Flow or B-Flow), is a Zambian Dancehall and Hip Hop artist, media entrepreneur, non-political social commentator, social justice advocate, part-time radio presenter, peer educator and founder of Music For Change Initiative. He is also the current chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM).[3] He is also a global ambassador in the fight against with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). 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.[4][5][6]
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| Born | Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya November, 12 |
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| Years active | 2005-present |
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Biography
Early life
B Flow was born in Kabwe on 12 November. He was raised by his grandmother Matilda Chiti-Byrne and his mother Mirriam Mulenga Mumba Byrne, a policewoman. B Flow cames from a family of Zambian musicians which include Chris Mbewe of The Great Witch Band, Anna Mwale of The Mwale Sisters and Ras Willie.
The Beginning
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. 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 and 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. His fifth album Dear Mama a dedication to his mother was released in 2016.[7]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
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| 2009 | Ngoma Awards | Best pcoming artist of the year against | Nominated |
| 2009 | Born and Bred Awards | best Ragga Video Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Hone Fm | Best Upcoming Artist of the year. | Nominated |
| 2010 | Radio Phoenix/Zain | Best Collaboration Of The Year. | Nominated |
| 2011 | Radio Phoenix | Best Song Of The Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | Born & Bred Video Awards | Best Conscious Video | Won |
| 2012 | Born & Bred Video Awards | Best Dance hall Video | Won |
| 2013 | Zambian Music Awards | Best Dancehall Artist | Nominated |
| 2014 | Zambian Music Awards | Best Mainstream Album | Nominated |
| Best Collaboration Song | Nominated | ||
| Best Dance hall Artist [8] | Won | ||
| Best Dance hall Album | Won | ||
| 2014 | Born & Bred Awards | Best Conscious Video | Nominated |
| Best Dance hall Video | Nominated | ||
| Best Collaboration Video | Nominated | ||
| Most Educative Album [9] | Won | ||
| 2017 | Kwacha Music Awards[10][11][12][13] | Best International Achievement | Nominated |
| Best Humanitarian Award | Won [13][10] | ||
| Best Artist (Central Province | Nominated[13] | ||
| Best Conscious Song (Know Your Status) - B Flow & Just Slim | Nominated [13] |
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Certification |
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| Mpu Mpu Mpu |
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| Dabo Trabo |
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| No More Kawilo |
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| Voiceless Woman |
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| Dear Mama |
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B Flow Media
Young Brian getting ready for school.
B'Flow tells his life story in his native language Bemba
B Flow with Mampi and KB Killa Beats
B'Flow on stage at the independence stadium in Lusaka. (2016)
Kantu, B'Flow and Cactus Agony (far right) at the US Embassy in Lusaka during the Triple V Campaign in 2016
References
- ↑ "B Flow Zambia's dancehall champion". BBC Africa. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "10 Things I Love About Zambia". Okayafrica. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "B Flow Biography". Zambian Music Blog. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ↑ "Flow named global hero". Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "Ending violence in 16 days: United Nations agency shows shocking advert of woman using make-up to show violence". independent. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "Sixteen voices for change". independent. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "B-Flow launches 'Dear Mama'". Zambia Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 April 2016.[dead link]
- ↑ "ZMAs 2014 An evening of music and awards". Zambian Music Charts. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ↑ "ZMAs 2014 An evening of music and awards". UKZambians. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2017 Kwacha Music Awards | Complete Winners List". Zambian Music Blog. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
- ↑ "2017 Kwacha Music Awards Nominations". Kwacha Music Awards. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ↑ "Voting Kicks Off In the 1st Kwacha Music Awards". X-duey. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Sun FM Unveils "2017 Kwacha Music Awards" Check out the Nominees". Zambian Music Blog. Retrieved 21 July 2017.