By Ashley Dean Misho | Arts and Entertainment Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw.
Bulawayo, – Ian Arthur Mathe, 21, has reclaimed the mic under the flamboyant moniker Flam.eyy, turning personal hardship into a soaring soundtrack for a generation.
Born on 9 June 2004, he lost his father in Grade 4. His mother, a single parent, kept the family afloat by plaiting hair while his older sister Charmaine and a clutch of cousins stood as steadfast pillars.
His musical awakening came unexpectedly— a bedroom jam with school‑mate Hard Empire (now his producer) and cousin Arnold.
The raw track sparked a fire, sending Flam.eyy across the border to South Africa, where he soaked up cultures, experimented with the BandLab app, and began weaving dreams into beats.
In 2024, he returned home to sit for his O‑Levels, only to hit a financial brick wall.
Enter Mthungameli Ndlovu, principal of Phoenix Institute of Learning, who offered a lifeline scholarship.
Simultaneously, collaborations with Peazybeats and Ilvshawn birthed the anthem Reach, swiftly followed by his debut single Dance.
A chance encounter with Bulawayo’s hip‑hop collective NoHeeps saw him gracing the stage on 23 August, and with producers Hard Empire (Eruption Records) and Treva Doskie he dropped the buzz‑worthy project Smoke.
The track ricocheted across Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom, swelling his fanbase and drawing support from family, fans, and Sonk, leader of NoHeeps.
Yet, Flam.eyy remains grounded, voicing the industry’s cut‑throat reality:
“Local artists are in a race, pushing egos instead of unity.”
He calls for more supportive events, prize‑laden competitions, and invitations from authorities to showcase Zimbabwean talent.
What’s Next?
With a growing global footprint and a hunger for collaboration, Flam.eyy is set to release his first EP later this year, promising fresh beats that blend Bulawayo grit with international flair.
Stay tuned for more updates as this young upcoming artist turns struggle into success
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