The R&B rising star has worked tirelessly to carve out his own path...
After a notably smooth exit from a music group, Ebubé is consistently establishing his own space. This new chapter as a solo artist—though still in its early days—has rapidly gained attention. He is a somewhat unassuming, classically trained multi-instrumentalist with a powerful R&B baritone. In light of the release of his debut EP ‘Slow Jam Szn’, we had a brief conversation with him about his journey.
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As he settles into his new apartment in Brussels, we start with the basics, allowing Ebubé to introduce himself as an artist. He describes his sound and artistic output as an expression of vulnerability through music, emphasizing that R&B is both emotionally resonant and expansive. In an era marked by genre-blending, this insight is somewhat expected, but he elaborates by explaining his aim to “reformulate words to make them seem like they’re about something else, while ultimately discussing the everyday struggles everyone faces.” Transparency in his music is clearly significant to the 22-year-old artist.
We delve into the essence of his sound, and Ebubé shares his upbringing in the church, where he sat in the front row with his mother, who often led worship. Impressively, he began learning piano at the age of three and has classical training. He notes that his gospel and classical influences form the foundation of his music, commenting, “It’s that duality that inspired me.” He cites artists like CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, and Kirk Franklin, while also acknowledging Wizkid and Flavour, reflecting the significance of his Nigerian, Igbo heritage in shaping his musical identity.
Currently, the Bromley-born musician is heavily influenced by R&B and soul but clarifies that he doesn't intend to limit himself to these genres. Next, we touch on the ongoing conversation regarding UK R&B. He expresses his frustration with the restrictive nature of the term, stating, “we instantly put ourselves in a box,” and highlights how the competitive mentality detracts from the vibrant and thriving community.
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‘Slow Jam Szn’ delivers exactly what its title promises. This six-track EP features a collection of laid-back songs that not only establish his presence but also embody the purpose of his music. He explains, “The central theme of the EP revolves around vulnerable love and addressing topics that men often shy away from—genuinely expressing feelings in love, even if it feels embarrassing.”
The entire project was recorded at home, with tracks ‘What Can I Do’ and ‘Lay With Me’ both written and produced by Ebubé himself. It showcases various styles; for instance, ‘Lay With Me’ employs layered vocals reminiscent of 90’s R&B, inspired by his desire to recreate a version of Usher’s ‘Can You Handle It?’. In contrast, songs like ‘For You Love’ emerged from a collaborative process involving direct messaging that evolved into melodies and studio time with Mathstimejoy and Flores. He also emphasizes that while he doesn’t aim for nostalgia, he incorporates timeless techniques into his work, acknowledging that “great music has always had those characteristics and it’s about maintaining them.”
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His departure from the popular London-based group No Guidnce didn’t spark much controversy, instead marking an important moment in his narrative. He briefly reflects on that transition, simply stating that there was a lack of alignment. Expounding on this, he mentions, “I’ve experienced a radical shift in mindset. With the group, our focus was on breaking out and achieving as many hits as possible, aiming to be the biggest group ever… that’s one mindset in music. However, when I became a solo artist, it was just me, without a team… I had to consider what would be liberating, and that was the vulnerability.” He further mentions that it took him about seven months after going solo—developing ideas and learning through trial and error—to arrive at the results that now resonate with him.
As we conclude, we address the elephant in the room… the comparisons to Giveon. Ebubé exuberantly states, “I love it!” but then speaks more seriously about Giveon’s influence as a low-tone R&B artist. The comparisons are frequent and welcomed. With another project in the works, we can anticipate further developments in Ebubé’s sound and artistic direction. He also assures us that live performances will be a crucial aspect of his artistry, promising to invest his heart and soul into them, so be sure to look out for those.
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‘Slow Jam Szn’ is now available.
Words: Shante Collier-McDermott Photo Credit: Kemka Ajoku
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After a notably seamless departure from his music group, Ebubé is gradually establishing his own path. This new phase as a solo artist, though still in its early stages,