Ife Ogujobi arrives today via Out Of The Blue with a five-track EP that feels less like a release and more like a declaration: Tell Them I’m Here. The Grammy-award winning British trumpet player, composer, producer and founding member of Ezra Collective stretches beyond his jazz foundations, drawing deeply from his Nigerian heritage while pushing at the edges of genre. The result is a smooth blend of jazz, hip hop, fuji and Afrobeats – tracks that feel both liberating and unmistakably authentic.
The EP opens with East Street Market, a bold introduction that sets the tone for the project’s unapologetic spirit. Smooth trumpet lines and propulsive drum patterns instantly move the body and lift the mood. Track three, Cali ft. Samm Henshaw, is the EP’s most lyrical moment, yet slips seamlessly into the wider narrative. Samm’s warm, melodic delivery sits beautifully atop the understated beat and luminous trumpet solos. The closer, Real One, ties the project together with grounded assurance, its layered textures and Rhodes synthesiser adding a glowing, robust finish.
Tell Them I’m Here marks Ogujobi’s official follow-up to his 2023 EP Stay True, further cementing his evolution as a solo artist. He remains unwaveringly himself, unafraid to take up space both sonically and creatively. The EP is vibrant and genre-defying, alive with soulful trumpet motifs, intricate rhythms and spirited improvisation – it’s music that moves the soul as much as the body. As Ogujobi notes, Tell Them I’m Here is rooted in authenticity and self-belief, serving as a statement of identity and artistic freedom for anyone learning to own their voice.
Here, we speak with Ogujobi about how his Nigerian upbringing shapes his sound, the best advice he’s ever received and what, in his eyes, makes his music truly unique.
1. Who is Ife Ogunjobi?
Ife Ogunjobi is an artist, trumpeter and lover of music. Every day, I try to live by telling my own story rather than fitting into someone else’s.
2. Which artists do you turn to for inspiration?
So many different artists inspire me – everything I listen to inspires me in some way. The foundation of my sound comes from Nigerian music, both old and new. Artists like Ebenezer Obey and [the late] Victor Olaiya were a big part of my childhood because my parents played their music at home. At the same time, artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy have also shaped me – growing up with songs like Ojuelegba and Don’t Dull definitely influenced how I approach music today.
3. How have your Nigerian roots influenced your music?
My Nigerian roots are at the heart of my sound. No matter the song or genre, there’s always something in it that connects back to my upbringing. Nigeria’s music and culture are so rich and diverse, there is so much to draw from. From the artists my parents played like Yinka Ayefele and King Sunny Ade to the modern musicians I’ve been fortunate to work with like Burna Boy and Wizkid. I like to balance listening to new sounds with diving into the classics.
4. What’s a valuable lesson you learned while creating the EP?
To keep reinventing myself. As an artist, growth means constantly looking in the mirror and being honest about who you are now – not who you used to be. We are continuously developing and evolving so our art has to reflect that, and we shouldn’t be afraid to embrace those changes. That mindset shaped this EP. The reason it sounds so different to the music I’ve made previously, is because I’m not the same person I was three years ago. Welcoming that idea has set me up to continue creating and innovating without losing my identity.
5. What does Tell Them I’m Here mean to you?
Tell Them I’m Here is about living unapologetically and owning your story. We spend so much time focusing on other people and end up losing sight of who we are. This project is about empowering people to be their true selves. The child on the EP artwork represents that fearlessness we have when we’re young, and I think we could all benefit from being more childlike – that pure belief in ourselves and our ideas, before the world teaches us doubt.
6. Do you have a dream location to play this EP live?
Honestly, a street party at East Street Market. I feel like it would be the perfect location because the energy there is unmatched. It’s so authentically London.
7. There are influences of London jazz in the sound, what’s your favourite place in London?
Peckham, hands down. It has everything, and is so culturally rich – I can get everything I need there. From all the great food spots, to Melange Salon where I get my hair retwisted, to spots like Jumbi for good music and parties.
8. Name one thing that’s unique to your sound.
Me. I’m the only person who can make music that sounds like me, and I think that can be really special. No one else has lived my life or shares my exact experiences, so when I put that into my art, it’s automatically unique. That’s the message behind Tell Them I’m Here.
9. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Don’t listen to no idiots.” When I was growing up and learning to make music, my mentor used to say that all the time. It sounds funny, but there’s truth in it – you have to be careful about what and who you let influence you. Sometimes you really have to question where the information you’re receiving is coming from.
10. What’s next for you?
More music, more shows, more growth. I’m constantly creating, so you can always expect some new stuff from me on the horizon. And as much as I love making music, performing live is where I feel most alive. Playing live is a feeling you can’t replicate, so I’m always grateful whenever I have the chance to perform. I’ll be playing at The Lower Third on November 28 – my first London show in a year, so it’s definitely going to be a special one.
Photography courtesy of Ife Ogunjobi.
