Fablice Manirakiza

Fablice Manirakiza's Biography

From escaping the military as a child soldier in war-torn Burundi, to rapping on stage at Australia’s Sydney Opera House, Fablice Manirakiza’s story is one a powerful one, full of struggle, heartbreak and inspiration.

2016 Victorian Young Achiever of the Year, Fablice (a.k.a) FLYBZ shares his unique life’s journey through music, hip-hop performance and dialogue. With school students and world leaders alike, Fablice inspires and connects with his audiences to deliver a message of resilience and hope for our future, thus changing the world one song at a time. 

Since arriving in Australia in 2007, Fablice has established himself as an artist of influence in Melbourne’s cultural landscape, working as a hip hop/Rap artist, presenter, actor, festival producer and curator. Fablice often appears on national television and radio around Australia and in New Zealand, including a starring role in episode nine of the thirteen-part ABC TV series MY:24.

A rap icon amongst Australian youth, Fablice has performed at concerts and workshops across EL Australia, East Timor and Africa. Last year, Fablice released his latest EP ‘Light of Peace’. In 2013 Fablice released his debut single 'Child Soldier', a collaboration with legendary Australian D songwriter Paul Kelly, and his debut album ‘Just Passing Through’ in 2012. Fablice has performed alongside Paul Kelly, Xavier Rudd, Angie Hart, Blue King Brown, Painters And Dockers, Ella & Jesse Hooper (Killing Heidi), Diafrix, Briggs, Killer Queens and Black Roots. 

Fablice’s talents go beyond the artistic, however, as he strives for a better world for us all. Elected President of the Australian Burundian Community in Victoria since 2013, Fablice is an ambassador of his community and his people, particularly in his recently released TEDx talk, The Power of  Education. Fablice continues to study a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, as part of his efforts to bring peace to his home of Burundi and beyond.

In 2015 Fablice toured East Timor to spread his message of hope to communities throughout the country, performing at concerts and workshops, appearing on national television and speaking in front of former president, UN Special Representative and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos Horta. Fablice also regularly returns to Africa to work, perform and promote peace on the continent, last year travelling to Burundi and Uganda in support of Action Aid and Save The Children, and next year visiting Burundi and Tanzania.

Those who hear him speak walk away feeling blessed to be “born in Australia”, appreciating their privilege and understanding the importance of human values.

Fablice intersperses his talk with three or four rap songs (no swearing) and a gospel song in his native language.