Who is YouTube star TBJZL? Everything we know about the internet personality starring in the Baller League?

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Tobit “Tobi” Brown, better known as ‘TBJZL’ of the Sidemen, during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) TBJZL – aka Tobijizzle – is a streamer, rapper, businessman, and influencer but is probably best known as a member and co-founder of the Sidemen, the hugely popular YouTube group, which includes internet personality KSI. His profile is expected to skyrocket later this month when he manages a team – VZN FC –  in the forthcoming Baller League, which begins on March 24, and features a star-studded managerial line-up, including Gary Lineker and John Terry. TBJZL, second left, with his fellow Sidemen Early life, influence and business interests Born Tobit John Brown in Hackney, London, on April 8, 1993, the 31-year-old’s business interests are as wide-ranging as his influence across YouTube, and include co-owning XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, the restaurant chain Sides, and the cereal brand Best Breakfasts. In September 2019, he was listed as the 38th most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times. As of March 2025, his main YouTube channel had more than 5 million subscribers and 567 million views. TBJZL – who is of Nigerian heritage – joined YouTube in 2011 while studying at university after seeing his friends’ success; after completing his degree he became a full-time YouTuber, before joining the Sidemen in 2013, having met future fellow Sidemen member Josh Bradley a few years earlier at Bexley Grammar School. TBJZL, far left, with his fellow Sidemen before their charity match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, March 8 Music career In December 2019, he released The Gift with the rest of the Sidemen, which reached number 77 on the UK singles chart, while in early 2020 he released his debut single, Destined for Greatness, with his brother Manny and featuring his sister Janellé. The song charted at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his first UK top 40 single; it also debuted at number 18 in New Zealand; that year he also featured in a remix of his fellow Sidemen member KSI‘s song Wake Up Call. What is his involvement in the Baller League? He will manage a team – VZN FC – in the league. The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London. The influencer-led league – headlined by KSI for the UK version – sees former Premier League players, futsal players and celebrities face one another in 12 teams to win the Baller League. TBJZL’s squad includes Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair and Remy Mitchell.

Mar 11, 2025 - 17:38
 0
Who is YouTube star TBJZL? Everything we know about the internet personality starring in the Baller League?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Tobit
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Tobit “Tobi” Brown, better known as ‘TBJZL’ of the Sidemen, during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

TBJZL – aka Tobijizzle – is a streamer, rapper, businessman, and influencer but is probably best known as a member and co-founder of the Sidemen, the hugely popular YouTube group, which includes internet personality KSI.

His profile is expected to skyrocket later this month when he manages a team – VZN FC  in the forthcoming Baller League, which begins on March 24, and features a star-studded managerial line-up, including Gary Lineker and John Terry.

For The Times Magazine use only, for enquiries contact anna.bassett@thetimes.co.uk or greg.moss@the-times.co.uk . ,  Clockwise from top left: YouTubers Zerkaa, Vikkstar123, Wroetoshaw, Behzinga, KSI, TBJZL and Miniminter, collectively known as the Sidemen. Photographed by Tom Jackson
TBJZL, second left, with his fellow Sidemen

Early life, influence and business interests

Born Tobit John Brown in Hackney, London, on April 8, 1993, the 31-year-old’s business interests are as wide-ranging as his influence across YouTube, and include co-owning XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, the restaurant chain Sides, and the cereal brand Best Breakfasts.

In September 2019, he was listed as the 38th most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times. As of March 2025, his main YouTube channel had more than 5 million subscribers and 567 million views.

TBJZL – who is of Nigerian heritage – joined YouTube in 2011 while studying at university after seeing his friends’ success; after completing his degree he became a full-time YouTuber, before joining the Sidemen in 2013, having met future fellow Sidemen member Josh Bradley a few years earlier at Bexley Grammar School.

The Sidemen

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/inside-season-2-release-date-news
TBJZL, far left, with his fellow Sidemen before their charity match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, March 8

Music career

In December 2019, he released The Gift with the rest of the Sidemen, which reached number 77 on the UK singles chart, while in early 2020 he released his debut single, Destined for Greatness, with his brother Manny and featuring his sister Janellé.

The song charted at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his first UK top 40 single; it also debuted at number 18 in New Zealand; that year he also featured in a remix of his fellow Sidemen member KSI‘s song Wake Up Call.

What is his involvement in the Baller League?

He will manage a team – VZN FC in the league.

The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London.

The influencer-led league – headlined by KSI for the UK version – sees former Premier League players, futsal players and celebrities face one another in 12 teams to win the Baller League.

TBJZL’s squad includes Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair and Remy Mitchell.