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Music

Ezra Collective star Ife Ogunjobi: 'People pay too much attention to the noise around them'

This year saw Ezra Collective win the Mercury Music Prize, but Ife Ogunjobi is already looking forward

With lobster on the menu for Christmas Day, Ezra Collective’s trumpet virtuoso Ife Ogunjobi is looking towards a festive season just as creative as his career.

From performing at Cross The Tracks to his annual Notting Hill Carnival celebrations, we spoke to the musician about his highlights of the year, and the traditions he’s looking forward to over Christmas.

For our My Big Year series, here’s what Ife Ogunjobi had to say about his “beautiful” year in 2024, and what 2025 could have in store.

BIG ISSUE: What has been the standout moment of 2024? 

IFE OGUNJOBI: This has to be Cross the Tracks festival. It was such a special performance, the stage was packed before we even started playing. Performing to such a crowd near where I used to go to school was a full circle moment. 

Are you more or less hopeful than at the start of 2024? 

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At the start of 2024 I wouldn’t have said I wasn’t hopeful, but I didn’t have a clear plan of what I wanted to achieve during the year. I couldn’t have predicted how beautiful this year has been and looking towards 2025, I’m very excited for what’s to come. 

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What do you think the world got right this year? 

People were fearless when it came to putting themselves out there. I’m seeing so many new artists and hearing so much new music. I think it’s beautiful that people are having the boldness to back themselves in the infancy of their journey.  

What do you think the world got wrong this year? 

People paid too much attention to the noise around them. It’s so easy to conform to the norm around you but when you do that it drowns out your opinion and perspective of the world. This is everything from politics, to social media, to what to wear. Be your own person. 

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Did you get Oasis tickets? 

Nah, people were too quick with it. To be able to sell out seven nights at Wembley Stadium is insane. It just shows that there are levels to this game. 

What is your cultural highlight of 2024? 

Notting Hill Carnival holds a special place in my heart every year. I’ve been going since I was a teenager and I pray that I will be able to keep going till I’m old and grey. For me there is no single event that brings London together like carnival. It showcases what makes London unique. 

What would your browsing history say about you this year? 

That I am very heavily invested in the success of Chelsea FC. Silverware is coming soon. 

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What’s your biggest failure this year? 

Not releasing more music. There has been such a good reception, I feel like I owed my supporters another project. So I already have songs ready to right this wrong next year. 

What’s the one conversation you wish you were able to have in 2024? 

I wish I could speak in depth with Kano. He has played a massive part in what I perceive as London culture and has a deep understanding of what it means to be a creative.  

What is the oddest family Christmas tradition you keep? 

We always eat lobster on Christmas Day. We started getting bored of the same old turkey or duck, so we started spicing it up with some lobster alongside jollof rice, plantain etc. My Christmas dinner is more like a UK roast/Nigerian dinner mash-up. 

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What’s your big issue for 2025? 

I would love to see people not caring about what others think about them. Social media has made it so that we are all performing for each other’s approval rather than being your true authentic self. It’s cute dressing up for the camera but when the doors close and nobody is around, what makes you you? That’s the only thing that really matters in life. 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. This Christmas, you can make a lasting change on a vendor’s life. Buy a magazine from your local vendor in the street every week. If you can’t reach them, buy a Vendor Support Kit.

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