His debut EP, Slow Jams Szn, consisting of six tracks, showcased immediate promise and featured his most successful song to date – the timeless “Lay With Me.” However, it’s his new EP, A Mile In My Mind, that is cementing his potential. Following a string of singles, including “Coming Home” with the uber-talented Tyler Lewis, Ebubé proves he is one to watch.

Following a sold-out home city show at The Lower Third, Ebubé appears at the Principle studios in good spirits. Swiftly after a successful shoot, he sits down for an interview where he talks A Mile In My Mind, his favourite Brandy album, and R&B representation at the BRITs.

You performed your debut headline show in London last night. How was it?

Yeah, it was amazing. I still don’t think I’ve properly digested it, to be honest. To achieve that within two years of being solo, it just feels surreal. I was so grateful to everyone who showed up, and it really felt like a representation of so many years of hard work. My whole family was there, my friends, the fans, some of who have been there since the very beginning, back when I was making music in the group. So to be able to put that together and share it with all of them was really, really special.

Blazer Studio Nicholson / Shirt The Frankie Shop / Trousers Ami / Loafers G.H. Bass

How were you feeling on the night, leading up to going on stage?

I think it’s definitely a learning curve. I’ve done quite a few shows on my own now, so luckily that wasn’t the first one. I headlined in Paris last year, and you really do have to get used to it. But I feel like I’ve done well applying what I learned in the group, the stage presence, the principles of performing, and bringing that into my solo shows. It’s different, though. There’s no hiding, and there’s no one else to feed off. You have to bring all the energy yourself. But yeah, I’m loving it. I’m loving learning how to do it and figuring it out as I go.

One of your most recent releases, “Coming Home,” is a collaboration with Tyler Lewis. How have you felt about the reception of the song?

I think it’s been really good. We’ve had great support from radio for that song, and people have received it so well. A love-song ballad duet like that doesn’t get done very often anymore, so it feels special. And Tyler’s voice is incredible, it was the perfect addition to the track. I’m just really excited for people to hear the EP that’s coming out.

You and Tyler had worked together before, but only on the songwriting front. Why was this song the right one for her to vocally feature on?

We worked together on my first single, “Where I Wanna Be,” she wrote with me on that. When I made “Coming Home,” I originally recorded the whole song on my own, but I kept thinking it would be perfect as a female vocal duet. Her vocal ability is incredible, I genuinely think she’s one of the most technically advanced singers of my generation. She can do anything, and she’s such a strong writer after working with so many artists for so long. I just knew she was the right person. I also didn’t have much time, so I knew she’d be able to deliver quickly. I sent her the open verse, and three days later she came back with it finished. I was so happy.

Shirt and jacket Ahluwalia

You mentioned the new EP, A Mile In My Mind. Did your influences change with this project, compared to the first?

I’d say they’ve shifted slightly. The two singles before “Coming Home,” “Mr. Postman” and “Eres Mi Sol,” leaned more in a soul direction. They were very Stevie Wonder–influenced, and that sound is still part of the EP. I’d say it’s about half and half. There’s still that ’90s R&B, big vocal-led energy – Brandy, Usher – but the other half sits more in my soul world. I’ve been exploring the different facets of what I can do, while making sure it all feels cohesive and not all over the place. That’s been the goal.

That leads to asking; what is your favourite Brandy album?

Oh! Full Moon.

I knew you were going to say that! I know it’s obvious, but Never Say Never is such a classic.

It’s true. I’d say that one that’s influenced me more in terms of her vocal production and everything. Of course, she was influenced a lot by Michael Jackson, too, so that album I feel like has inspired my own music more. 

I read an interview where you said you wanted the first EP, Slow Jams Szn, to evoke sunset and vulnerability. What do you want this one to represent?

I want this to still evoke vulnerability. I think that’s kind of the running theme across my music; it’s about delving into thoughts and feelings. The title, A Mile in My Mind, is really about love, for example, and how many different angles it has. One part of your brain might be thinking, “Yeah, everything’s rosy,” and you hear all the love songs and the highs. Then there’s the struggles of love, the sacrifices, and sometimes the consequences. It’s kind of taking you through a journey. A lot of the songs share that sense of movement or travel. The themes are about journeying somewhere, not just a snapshot of a moment. You see it in the titles too – “Coming Home,” “Driving You Home,” “A Mile in My Mind.” It’s about exploring the path, the emotional ride, rather than just where you are right now.

Jacket Ami

It’s been two years since you decided to leave No Guidnce and embark on a solo artist. How have you found the transition? Has it been harder than you thought?

It’s not necessarily been harder, but I think it’s definitely a lot of work, and it’s new in the sense that coming into being solo brings a lot more accountability. There’s no one else to rely on or to blame, so the responsibility is higher. If things are working, it’s because I’m working hard. If they’re not, it’s because I’m not, there’s no one else to point fingers at.

I think there’s also a real sense that you have to be the engine driving everything, keeping that energy, that drive, all the time. That’s the hard part. I’d say it’s about always being motivated, always pushing, even when things aren’t going as planned. It’s constant, but it’s also kind of empowering. And not having other people to offer another perspective. I’d say that’s the main challenge.

To date, your song “Lay With Me” remains your most successful. What is it about that song that you believe has helped resonate with so many people and stuck around?

I think I asked myself this question. I’m not 100% sure yet, but I feel like part of it comes from the vocal production, it feels warm, like a hug. There’s something comforting in the sound.I also think it’s a mix of relevance and nostalgia. It feels modern but also like something you could have heard in the ’90s or ’80s. Lyrically, it connects to how people feel today. Honestly, I’m still trying to pinpoint exactly what it is that resonates with people. But that’s really the goal for me, making music that connects and means something to them.

The first EP dropped last May. Did the campaign go as you had hoped?

Yeah, I mean, so far it’s honestly exceeded my expectations. I’ve been really surprised at how quickly the music is connecting with people, organically as well, especially working with an independent label. Even now, like, “Lay With Me” is doing the best it ever has, so it feels like it’s constantly on an upward trajectory. It’s reaching people every day, and that’s been really exciting to see. With my team, the strategy has always been to just put out the music and not stress too much about short-term reactions. Music doesn’t have a strict timeline anymore, songs can blow up on TikTok 17 years later. So it’s just about putting out what feels right and keeping consistent. I think that consistency has been key for me. I’ve got so much music that hasn’t been heard yet, and by releasing steadily, it’s all finding its way to the right people. It feels really rewarding, and it just motivates me to keep going.

Jacket and trousers Saul Nash / Shoes Ami

How many songs are you sitting on that you hope to release or are ready to go?

Probably like, maybe 30 or 40 songs, but I do a lot of quality control. I’ll listen to tracks over and over, sometimes for months, and if I’m still enjoying them after that time, I know they’ve got something. I’ve just got loads of songs because I make a lot of my music at home, producing it myself. I don’t really get much outside opinion until I actually put it out. It’s a bit scary in that sense, because not many people hear it beforehand, but I just have to trust my gut.

There has been a lot of discussion about the R&B category at the BRITs this year. Many people argue the category doesn’t represent the genre in the way it should. Others believe some of the nominated artists do not carry the genre to a high standard. As an R&B artist from the UK, do you have an opinion?

The category has only really recently even existed, thanks to artists like Mahalia and people who have championed it. Before that, there wouldn’t have even been a category because pop and R&B were lumped together, which is just silly and doesn’t make sense. They’re definitely making strides toward fairness, but it’s not fair yet, because we’ve only just started taking those steps.

In general, urban music still needs time for the British public to understand it. It’s relatively new in the wider British context, so for people to grasp what makes each genre different, like rap versus R&B, which are conceptually completely separate, it’s going to take a while. Lumping them together can be a disservice to both the artist and the genres. At the same time, though, there’s an argument for being represented in multiple categories, because it means your music isn’t boxed in. At least it’s not just one combined “rap/R&B” category, which is a small improvement.

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Jim Legxacy was nominated in both R&B and rap. It almost gives the impression there isn’t anyone else to nominate for R&B. 

I think it’s really down to interpretation. You could see it one way, or you could interpret it as Jim Legxacy just doing so well, really pushing forward his genre and style, and it’s more of a congratulations, a celebration of that. So I guess it depends on how you look at it. That said, there definitely needs to be clarification about what goes into each category and what counts for them. But at the same time, I don’t tend to read too deeply into awards, because at the end of the day, it’s just the opinion of a few people.

Have you started to think of the bigger picture? Have you started planning what will be your debut album?

Yeah, for sure, at some point. I think I’d want my first album to be something I’m really proud of, so right now it’s kind of building toward that without rushing it. I know I can stay consistent with the music I’m making constantly, without needing to put out an album straight away. So yeah, I’m just focusing on keeping consistent, releasing music, doing more live shows, more headline gigs, and building into Europe too. And yeah, we’ll see when that comes.

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