When Femi Koleoso was invited to guest-edit the culture section of this week’s Saturday magazine, his first instinct was to share the news with his father and his former secondary school English teacher, Mr. Pickering. For the north London musician, the opportunity felt like a playful way to signal that the student has now taken charge. While he jokingly notes that he did earn an A in his GCSE English and English Literature, he admits he is neither a journalist nor an intellectual, but rather a drummer who grew up in Enfield and honed his craft in the UK’s state school system and local youth clubs.
Today, Koleoso travels the globe with his band, Ezra Collective, while also working as a DJ and broadcaster for BBC Radio 6 Music. He describes his path as a version of the “British-Nigerian dream” that bypassed the traditional expectations of becoming a doctor, accountant, or lawyer. Despite being well-aware of the global and domestic challenges that might lead one to despair, he remains fundamentally optimistic. He argues that there is a compelling case for a more positive outlook, rooted in the belief that joy can emerge from hardship.
Drawing on the words of his friend, actor Letitia Wright, who features on the band’s new albumHere Because of HopeKoleoso defines hope as the conviction that renewal exists on the other side of pain. He points to the history of music as evidence of this transformation, noting how Fela Kuti turned the tragedy of his mother’s death into a club anthem, or how the struggles of poverty-stricken council estates gave rise to the energy of grime music. Even the genre of calypso, he notes, emerged from the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.
To accompany his guest edit, Koleoso and his bandmates shared a selection of cultural picks that inspire them. Koleoso himself highlighted the Southbank Centre, specifically its 75th-anniversary celebrations of the steelpan. He described the experience of watching young bands perform as a quintessential “best of London” moment, characterized by a diverse array of generations and cultures coming together to celebrate the joy of music.
His bandmates contributed their own recommendations: TJ Koleoso selected Kleber Mendonça Filho’s filmThe Secret Agentpraising the director’s immersive portrayal of 1970s Brazil. Joe Armon-Jones recommended the albumRecriaçãoby Rosa Passos, noting the perfection of its minimal instrumentation and unique drumming style. Ife Ogunjobi chose Akinola Davies Jr’s 2025 Nigerian coming-of-age filmMy Father’s Shadowfor its raw storytelling and cultural depth. Finally, James Mollison recommended KeiyaA’s albumHooke’s Lawdescribing it as a unique and captivating piece of art that showcases the artist’s ability to traverse various sound worlds.
Ultimately, Koleoso views these stories and artistic expressions as essential tools for navigating the spectrum between pain and joy. By focusing on these cultural touchstones, he hopes to guide readers toward a perspective where, even when the path forward is uncertain, one can still find solid ground. The report also notes that the first person I told was my dad. The report also notes that even if this entire takeover is trash, I’m still proud to have been given this wonderful opportunity. The report also notes that nor an intellectual or a journalist, to give some context: I am not a writer. The report also notes that a corner of London paved with gold, I started playing the drums at church (I know, typical), born to Nigerian parents and raised in Enfield. The report also notes that nurtured in the UK’s wonderful state school system and polished in powerful youth clubs, this became more than a hobby; it was a deep-set love. The report also notes that today, I travel the world with my band, Ezra Collective, playing and producing music, DJing and broadcasting on BBC Radio 6 Music for a living. The report also notes that there’s power in a happy story; it brings hope. The report also notes that though I often only want to talk about Arsenal football club and playing the drums, I am well-informed enough to see the many reasons to lose all hope, not just for the future of the UK but the world.
Comments