{
  "id": 7826828,
  "title": "Ezra Collective on Stunning New LP ‘Here Because of Hope’ & Collaborating with Olivia Dean: ‘My Most Perfect A&R Moment!’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ezra-collective-on-stunning-new-lp-here-because-of-hope-collaborating",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T16:25:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/features/ezra-collective-here-because-hope-olivia-dean-leona-lewis-1236341533/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "British jazz collective Ezra Collective has achieved remarkable success, ranking alongside artists like Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, and Lola Young. Formed in a youth club in Enfield, they released their debut EP, Chapter 7, ten years ago in 2016. Their latest album, Here Because of Hope, is poised to make history as their first UK No. 1 album. The five-piece, consisting of Femi Koleoso on drums, TJ Koleoso on bass, Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet, James Mollison on sax, and Joe Armon-Jones on keyboards, blends genres ranging from funky house and UK Garage to traditional African and Caribbean music. Their live performances have gained significant recognition, with upcoming shows at prestigious venues such as New York's Webster Hall and London's Brixton Academy. Bandleader Femi Koleoso spoke to Billboard U.K. about the band's rise, their new album, and their collaboration with Olivia Dean, describing it as \"my most perfect A&R moment.\"",
  "summary": "The London-formed jazz group won the 2023 Mercury Prize and headline arenas in the U.K. New album Here Because of Hope a genre-spanning epic that could make them repeat winners.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}