Emerging from the vibrant streets of Ajegunle, Lagos, Brown Joel has officially launched his solo career with the debut mixtape High Spirit, a 10-track project that captures his unique blend of gratitude, faith, and youthful energy. The 22-year-old singer, born Favour Agubosim, steps into the spotlight after achieving massive success with the viral hit Ogechi alongside collaborators BoyPee and Hyce.
From Underground Beginnings to Mainstream Success
Long before Ogechi catapulted him to fame in 2024, Brown Joel had been steadily building his musical foundation. His journey began seriously in 2020 with his debut solo track Peace, which established him as an artist to watch. Prior to his breakthrough, he had already collaborated with established acts including Mayorkun on Ecstasy and contributed to projects by DJ Consequence, Dr Caise, and Ejoya.
The turning point came in 2022 when he was discovered and signed by his current record label through a referral from friend Dafe. This opportunity arrived at a crucial moment when Joel had made the difficult decision to pause his French studies at the University of Lagos to fully pursue music, driven by family responsibilities and his mother's illness.
High Spirit: More Than Just Music
According to Brown Joel, High Spirit represents a state of mind - a spiritual feeling of levitation that listeners experience through his music. The project, which he began working on as early as 2020, finally saw its release in November 2025 after what he describes as divine timing.
The mixtape's core message revolves around love and human potential, particularly explored in tracks like Higher Power, where Joel educates listeners about manifestation and believing in a higher power. His creative process typically begins with melodies before words, often shutting out external distractions to tap into his inner source.
The Making of a Musical Trio
Brown Joel's rise to prominence is closely tied to his collaboration with BoyPee and Hyce, though he clarifies they are not a formal group but rather artists who came together organically. The trio met during a friend's campus tour in Enugu and discovered they lived in the same area upon returning to Lagos.
Their very first recording session produced Ogechi, the song that would change their careers. The track's success reached new heights when Cubana Chief Priest helped facilitate a remix featuring Davido. Joel recalls the surreal experience of receiving an unexpected call from Davido and recording the remix on his bachelor's night.
Beyond performing, Brown Joel has established himself as a skilled songwriter, having written for artists including Mayorkun (For You) and Mr Eazi (Zuzulakate and Panadol). He credits J Cole and Kendrick Lamar as major influences on his songwriting approach.
Looking Toward the Future
With High Spirit now released, Brown Joel's vision remains clear: to continue creating evergreen music and establish himself as a special, accepted artist in the industry. His journey from performing at local palm wine bars in Ajegunle to working with Afrobeats superstars demonstrates the power of persistence and belief in one's craft.
The young artist continues to draw inspiration from his musical heroes, including Tuface, Duncan Mighty, Westlife, and Backstreet Boys, while forging his own distinctive path in Nigeria's competitive music landscape.
