BEHIND some of Guyana’s most infectious music lies the creative genius, producer and visionary Joel Browne, better known as ‘Joey2Kool’.

More than just a beatmaker, Joel is a devoted husband, father, and qualified commercial pilot; an inspiring example of passion and perseverance in action.

Joel’s love for music began at the tender age of 11, when his father gifted him a keyboard. Music, however, already ran in his blood; his grandfather was a Gospel musician who played the organ in churches. That keyboard marked the beginning of a lifelong journey into the competitive world of music production.

In an exclusive interview with Buzz Magazine, Joel shared insights into his dynamic life. After graduating high school and migrating to the United States, he began exploring music production in earnest. However, another passion soon took flight; literally.

The father of two recalled a pivotal moment during a trip to Mabaruma with his father.

“We went by plane, and he was like, ‘Hey, what do you think about planes and so on and so forth.’ I was like, man, I always liked it, but schooling might be expensive. And he encouraged me to go check it out,’’ Joel recounted.

He did! And the rest is history. Joel pursued aviation studies, and earned his FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) commercial pilot licence. He went on to serve for five to six years as a pilot and military officer in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Despite a demanding career in aviation, Joel never abandoned music.

“Music is very jealous; like a jealous woman,” he quipped, “It takes a lot of your time, and it provides little time to those who you love, if you really love it as much as me. So, you have to find that balance.”

To aspiring musicians, Joel offers a sobering but motivating message: Success doesn’t happen overnight. “Like, you know, it doesn’t happen right away; and there will be sacrifices that will need to be made in order for success to be had,” Browne said.

Joel pointed to artistes like this year’s Calypso Monarch, EGO (Quincy Lacon), as well as Kwasi Ace, and 2025 Dancehall Monarch Carlvin Burnett, as examples of musicians who put in the work, and invest in their craft, financially and otherwise.

As a producer, Joel is constantly evolving.

“So, the older I got, I became more of a minimalist. Minimalist meaning I use less sounds. Because I played so many instruments when I was making music, I’d put on like 10 instruments, 15, 20, 60 instruments all over the place; left, right, and centre, because it showed how creative I could be.”

He emphasised that staying updated with new technology and tools is key to staying inspired and working efficiently. From virtual instruments to cutting-edge production gear, Joel is always exploring what’s next.

He posited, “But then I realised, over the years, that, you know, you need to leave space for the artists; you’re supporting and accompanying the artists. You are not on show; it’s not about you. It’s about giving the artists a chance to express their ideas and thoughts so people can grasp what it is that they’re trying to, I don’t want to say sell, but what they’re trying to see.’’

Joel said that is one of the things he has learned over the years. In addition, he learnt that investing in your craft can also bring new inspiration, and gives you the tools that can allow the process to be faster. In this regard, the producer noted that he is always on the lookout for new stuff, whether it be technology, virtual instruments, equipment, and much more.

Beyond music and aviation, Joel is a self-professed sports enthusiast. He spends his weekends shooting hoops, and cherishing time with his children. His biggest fans, however, are right at home: His wife, Dr. Judy Bentley-Browne, and their kids.

“I also want to shout out to my mom, who is my Day One. And my loving sisters and so on. And my church family.”

Currently, Joel is deeply involved in preparations for Guyana’s 59th Independence Celebrations. As the ‘technical guy’, his role is crucial: Overseeing the production of music and visuals, ensuring flawless timing, and maintaining the flow of the programme.

“So, it’s usually a long process, because we usually get the concept, and then it takes time to get the concept from infancy stage to actually being an adult, I would say. So, there’s rehearsals for choreography; there’s rehearsals for timing of the music and how it fits with all the parts that are moving, because some shows on average are about 30 to 40 minutes. Having 70 to 80 people come in at different times to sing and dance and do different things. It’s a lot of work, but it’s always challenging and rewarding when you see the work come together and people appreciate it.”

Joel has collaborated with a host of acclaimed artists, including Jamaican Dancehall star, Dexta Daps, Teanna Bianca, international recording artist Sanctuary Vibez, and many others across the region.

You can find Joel’s work on YouTube at @joey2kooltv, Instagram @mrjoey2kool, and Facebook Joey2kool Productions. For a peek into his family life, check out @TheBrownes and @mrjoey2kool on TikTok.