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English YouTuber
Gender:
Male
Birth:
8 April 1993(Hackney, London Borough of Hackney, Greater London, United Kingdom)
Star sign:
Instruments:
Education:
Bexley Grammar School
Coventry University
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The details
Biography

Introduction

Tobit John "Tobi" Brown (born 8 April 1993), better known as TBJZL, is an English YouTuber, streamer and Internet personality. He is also a member and co-founder of the British YouTube group known as the Sidemen.

In 2019, Brown was listed as the 38th most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times. As of December 2022, his main YouTube channel has over 4.9 million subscribers and 524 million video views. Brown has also released music mononymously, and in 2020, he released his debut single "Destined for Greatness", which peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart and number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart.

Early life

Tobit John Brown was born on 8 April 1993 in Hackney, London to a working-class family of Nigerian heritage. Brown attended St. Dominic's Catholic Primary School from 1997 until 2004, and then attended Bexley Grammar School, where he met future fellow Sidemen member Josh Bradley. Brown later completed an honours degree in computing at Coventry University.

Career

Brown joined YouTube in 2011 while at university after he saw Bradley gaining traction on the platform and then decided to become a full-time YouTuber after university. He uploads video game commentaries, most notably of the FIFA and NBA 2K video game series, as well as football challenges, vlogs, and comedy style videos.

On 19 October 2013, Brown and four other British YouTubers formed the entertainment collective Ultimate Sidemen, later shortened to simply Sidemen. Since 2014, the group has consisted of seven British YouTubers: Vikram Barn (Vikkstar123), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Harry Lewis (W2S), Simon Minter (Miniminter), JJ Olatunji (KSI), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), and Tobi Brown. The group produces online videos, most often consisting of challenges, sketches and video-game commentary, as well as selling exclusive Sidemen merchandise.

In June 2018, Brown founded a streetwear brand called ILLVZN with the official launch in February 2019. In May 2019, he collaborated with New Era Cap to release a custom 9Fifty snapback. That September, he was listed as the 38th most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times. In December, he released "The Gift" with the rest of the Sidemen, reaching number 77 on the UK Singles Chart.

Brown released his debut single, "Destined for Greatness", with his brother Manny featuring his sister Janellé on 7 February 2020. The song charted at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Brown's first UK top 40 single. Elsewhere, "Destined for Greatness" debuted at number 18 in New Zealand and on the Scottish Singles Chart, and peaked at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart. He later featured in a remix of his fellow Sidemen member KSI's song "Wake Up Call" by producer Yoshi with American rapper Trippie Redd and British rapper P Money, which was released on 6 March 2020. Brown featured on "This Year" by P Money and producer Silencer, which was released on 19 March 2021. Brown released his second single "Rhythm & Vibes", also with his brother Manny, on 20 August 2021. In March 2022, he featured in rapper DTG's song "Just Do It".

In April 2023, Brown signed for SCEFL Premier Division club Fisher, featuring in the club's final day of the season.

Personal life

Brown is a supporter of Manchester United F.C. and plays Sunday league football for Under The Radar FC, a team formed by his brother and fellow YouTuber Manny Brown. He has spoken out on racism within football with Sky Sports News.

Filmography

Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2014 The Sidemen Experience Himself Comedy Central UK Main role; 5 episodes
2018 The Sidemen Show YouTube Premium Main role; 7 episodes
2020 Live Show From Lausanne 2020 Olympic Channel Guest; 1 episode
How To Be Behzinga YouTube Guest; 3 episodes

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
UKR&B
UKInd.
IRE
NZ Hot
SCO
"Destined for Greatness"
(with Manny featuring Janellé)
2020 31 12 3 33 18 18 Non-album singles
"Rhythm & Vibes"
(with Manny)
2021 47 16 6 59
"Just Do It"
(with DTG)
2022
"Keeper"
(with Manny)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As a featured artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
UKR&B
UKInd.
NZ Hot
SCO
"Wake Up Call (Yoshi Remix)"
(KSI featuring Trippie Redd, Tobi and P Money)
2020 Non-album remix
"This Year"
(P Money and Silencer featuring Tobi)
2021 Untraditional
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
UKR&B
UKInd.
NZHot
SCO
IRE
"The Gift"
(as part of Sidemen featuring S-X)
2019 77 40 11 27 26 Non-album singles
"Christmas Drillings"
(as part of Sidemen featuring Jme)
2022 3 4 7 25