By Ayo Onikoyi

As conversations around African creativity continue gaining global attention, UK-based Nigerian creative director, arranger and producer Josh Bowale is steadily positioning himself among the emerging voices redefining contemporary African worship and choir culture across Lagos and London.

Through platforms such as The Lux City Choir, ECHOES, Lux City Music and Studio26, Bowale has built a creative movement that blends choir arrangement, live worship experiences, artistic direction, mentorship and cross-cultural storytelling into what many now regard as a growing diaspora-driven expression of African excellence.

The choir recently gained wider international visibility following its appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, a moment that introduced many global viewers to a modern interpretation of African choir culture rooted in spirituality, technical discipline and rich cultural identity.

Speaking in a conversation with Vanguard, Bowale explained how navigating both Nigeria and the United Kingdom has significantly influenced his creative and leadership approach, noting that each environment shaped different dimensions of his artistic perspective.

According to him, Nigeria carries an emotional honesty, rhythm, spirituality and musical instinct that naturally influences creativity, while the UK has exposed him to structure, presentation, systems and long-term thinking that help sustain creative work internationally.
Bowale said combining both experiences helped him understand that African artistry does not need to diminish itself before it can gain global acceptance.

He stressed that some of the strongest aspects of African cultural expression are exactly what make the work resonate internationally.

The producer also spoke extensively about intentionality in worship culture, explaining that audiences no longer experience music through sound alone, but through atmosphere, storytelling, visuals, emotion and community all working together within one experience.

He told Vanguard that worship deserves care and intentionality, not for the purpose of impressing people, but because thoughtful presentation can help audiences engage more deeply both emotionally and spiritually.

According to him, every detail, from choir arrangements to lighting, transitions and visuals, contributes to how people receive the experience.
Speaking further on his philosophy of excellence, Bowale said he strongly believes Christians and believers should represent excellence properly because they are ultimately representing “the greatest Creator of all.” He added that faith should never become an excuse for mediocrity.

He explained that excellence, to him, is not about perfection or performance culture, but about stewardship, discipline, intentionality and honour in the way music, leadership, rehearsals, visuals and people are handled.

He also noted that many younger creatives are increasingly rejecting the idea that spirituality and professionalism cannot coexist.
Reflecting on The Lux City Choir’s appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, Bowale said the moment challenged long-standing assumptions about African gospel and choir music.

He noted that many people still expect African choir expressions to fit into a single stylistic box.
According to him, the goal was to show that African choir culture can remain emotionally layered, contemporary, technically disciplined and culturally rooted while still connecting with wider audiences globally without losing its originality.

He added that the choir wanted audiences to feel the warmth, emotion and identity behind the music rather than simply watch a performance.
One of the standout moments from the performance was the use of the talking drum during the rendition of “The Climb,” which generated major conversations online.

Bowale explained that incorporating the instrument felt authentic to the choir’s identity because the talking drum remains deeply connected to Yoruba musical storytelling and expression.

He added that the inclusion of the instrument was never about symbolism for aesthetics alone, but about honestly representing their cultural identity on a global stage.

Bowale further stated that beyond music, the larger vision behind The Lux City Choir is to build a creative community where younger African creatives can embrace artistry, faith, leadership and professionalism without feeling pressured to dilute their identity in order to gain international respect.