# Brace Urself

John Junior Ogbonnaya (born June 23, 2010), Known popularly as Brace Urself is an American singer and songwriter who gained widespread recognition for his presence on the social media platform TikTok. He is known for his music, which combines elements of soul and contemporary sounds, and has attracted significant attention from music fans and industry professionals.

## Early Life

Brace Urself was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to Nigerian-American parents of Igbo descent. His cultural background plays a significant role in shaping his musical style, which blends traditional influences from his Nigerian heritage with modern genres.

## Career

Brace Urself’s rise to prominence began in August 2024 when a TikTok video featuring his music went viral. The video, which showcased his distinct sound and emotionally resonant lyrics, quickly amassed 1.5 million views within two minutes of being posted. This rapid rise in visibility helped him gain a large following on the platform and marked the beginning of his public career as an artist.
Following the viral success of his TikTok video, Brace Urself released his debut single, "Tortured Poets," on Spotify. The song received critical acclaim for its evocative lyrics and emotive melody. The track gained significant traction on streaming platforms, appearing on several prominent Spotify playlists. However, in May 2024, the song was removed from the platform, leading to speculation among fans and the media regarding the reasons for its removal. As of 2025, the artist has not publicly addressed the decision.

## Musical Style

Brace Urself's music has been characterized by its blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics. His work draws on a variety of genres, including contemporary R&B, soul, and elements of Nigerian music, creating a unique sound that resonates with diverse audiences.
* ↑ "Brace Urself: The Meteoric Rise of John Junior Ogbonnaya". livepositively.com. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Roiz, Rania Aniftos,Kyle Denis,Griselda Flores,Josh Glicksman,Lyndsey Havens,Jason Lipshutz,Heran Mamo,Isabela Raygoza,Jessica (May 31, 2024). "Billboard's 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2024 List". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
* ↑ "Ogbako". BBC News Ìgbò (in Igbo). March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Onwujuba, Chinwe; Nesteruk, Olena (2021), Chu, Hui; Thelamour, Barbara (eds.), "A Tale of Two Cultures: Nigerian Immigrant Parents Navigating a New Cultural Paradigm", Conceptual and Methodological Approaches to Navigating Immigrant Ecologies, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 177–196, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50235-5_10, ISBN 978-3-030-50235-5, retrieved March 4, 2025
* ↑ "News Archives | Ndigboworldwide". Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ O'Brien, Jon (October 19, 2024). "The Untold Truth Of Country Artist Shaboozey". Nicki Swift. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Dada, Adekunle (March 13, 2024). ""This is Commendable": Nigerian Man Publishes Physics Textbook in Igbo Language - Legit.ng". www.legit.ng. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ "Who Are the Best Singers Under 25 Right Now?". Ranker. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ ThriftBooks. "John A Ogbonnaya Books | List of books by author John A Ogbonnaya". ThriftBooks. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Olufemi, Damilola (November 27, 2024). "FULL LIST: Top Nigerian artistes bag 2024 Billboard Music Awards nominations". Businessday NG. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Talent Recap (February 10, 2021). 15 BEST Teen Singers on America's Got Talent EVER!. Retrieved March 4, 2025 – via YouTube.
* ↑ "Teen Pop Music Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ Monroe, Casey (October 9, 2024). "60 Top Black Male Singers Dominating the Music Scene Today". GigWise. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
* ↑ "The Greatest American Pop Singers Every Geek Will Recognize". www.thefamouspeople.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.