Prominent social activist and artist Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers diagnosed with breast cancer

A Brisbane artist and music director, who created a hit show and starred on overseas stages, is now in the battle of her life after a shock breast cancer diagnosis.

Ms Bowers is the co-creator, music director and star of the international smash-hit show Hot Brown Honey which won the UK Total Theatre Award, Two Green Rooms and a Helpmann.

An award-winning community activist and artist has had her life turned upside down after a shock cancer diagnosis.

Brisbane’s Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers is now undergoing treatment after being told by doctors she has triple-negative breast cancer last month.

Known for her work as a music director, sound artist and multidisciplinary performer, her career has spanned more than 25 years, including as the co-creator, music director and star of the international smash-hit show Hot Brown Honey.

Ms Bowers career as a music director, sound artist and multidisciplinary performer spans over 25 years. Photo: Phoebe Sequino

The show was performed across six countries and received several national awards, including a Helpmann, Sydney Theatre Award, Green Room Award, Adelaide and Perth Fringe Awards plus international nominations and awards in the UK and Canada.

But instead of the nerves of performing on the big stage, now the single mother of Xhosa heritage, from the South African region, faces a different battle but one that will be the fight of her life.

Signing her first record deal at sixteen, Ms Bowers subsequently spent the next decade recording and touring. Photo: Joel Devereux

“This has come as a shock to all of us who know and love Busty and we are doing all we can to support her on this journey,” Ms Bowers friend and business partner, Ms Lisa Fa‘alafi, said.

“As co-creator of Hot Brown Honey, I have experienced some of the most incredible life changing, soul expanding moments with Busty.

“We have also endured huge lows and challenges but each time no matter what we always pushed through.”

Ms Bowers’ friend and co-worker, Leah Shelton, said working with the talented artist was always a “joyous, radical process” with “lots of laughter, rage, food, ridiculousness and inspiration”.

Kim Bowers on the set of Hot Brown Honey. Photo: Leo Flanders

“I am in awe of Busty’s constant push for a no-compromises brave new world. It’s an absolute honour to collaborate with Busty and to have her as a friend,” she said.

Signing her first record deal at 16, the Fairfield resident spent the next decade recording and touring.

She was featured in Sophie Howarth’s book ‘Peace, Love and Brown Rice’, ABC’s music show Recovery and even gained a place of honour in the ‘Women Who Rock’ exhibition at the Melbourne Arts Centre.

She has more recently been involved in local events, such as the Queensland Poetry Festival and the Australian Women in Music Awards.

A GoFundMe has been started by Ms Bowers’ friends and co-workers from the Polytoxic Theatre Co to assist with medical costs, with the page reaching more than $27,000 in four days.

“Busty, you are an inspirational leader, powerhouse collaborator, and fierce friend who truly lives your values in all that you do,” Ms Shelton and Ms Fa‘alafi said in a joint statement.

“We love you and we are here to support you. It takes a village and your village is ready to step up for you at this time.”