FLEX

Mostafa 'Flex' Ali (born 7th April 1986) is a British Grime/Hip-Hop rapper of Bangladeshi origins, who goes by the stage name of Flex.
Flex was born in Mile End Hospital (East London). A time period were many Bangladeshi's were moving into Tower Hamlets for a better life. In 1994, Flex and his family of 6 moved to Walthamstow (East London). This was a time were the ethnic minority suffered great abuse and violence from the National Front (BNP).
Major rappers such as 2pac and Biggie were the most talked about rappers on the estates. Youngsters blasted songs from the Thug Life and Ready to die album, which took the streets by storm. This inspiration blended with Flex's experiences on the streets, which would later on influence his own writing.
At the age of 15, Flex began to write and reflect on his own experience on the streets, slowly moving into the music scene with a burst of energy, performing back to back sets on pirate radio, clashing in battles by the age of 17 and hosting major shows.
2007/08 saw the success of Giving Me Stare and Hustle, both which hit the soundtrack of a UK horror film 'EDEN LAKE' directed by James Watkins starring Michael Fassbender (300), Jack O'Connell (This is England and E4'S Skins) and Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes, Pride & Prejudice). Giving me stare received worldwide acclaim by hitting Number 2 on the UK Urban Channel AKA leading to several successful shows around Europe. Flex was the first Asian MC/Rapper to have a grime music video on Channel AKA, B4U Music and Zee Music, which then paved way for many Asian mc's and singers to come through. Flex has also helped careers of a few UK artists who have now become well established in the music industry.
Currently Flex has been focused on delivering a more positive message to a wider audience in the form of conscious rap focusing on political and current issues. His mixtape is due to release early
2011, which will consist of over 18 tracks. This will consist of collaborations with well known artists from around the world.