Ebubé 'Slow Jam Szn' A Soulful New Voice Making His Debut

Ebubé is an artist you’ll want to remember. With his unique sound, emotional depth, and undeniable talent, he’s on a path to make a lasting impact across the entire music landscape, not just R&B. Hailing from London, UK, this classically trained violinist and gospel-raised artist has taken a bold leap into the world of modern R&B, offering a fresh sound that reflects both his musical roots and his desire to break free from genre conventions. His debut EP, Slow Jam Szn, is an intimate reflection of his artistry and a statement of what R&B can be in 2025.

In an era where many claim R&B is dead, with critics lamenting the loss of vulnerable, heartfelt music, Ebubé is proving that it’s not only alive but thriving. His music blends soulful melodies with raw, emotional storytelling, offering listeners a timeless sound that taps into the depths of an emotional experience. Through his debut project, Ebubé is revitalizing R&B with a vulnerability that speaks directly to the heart, reminding us that music can still be deeply personal, emotionally charged, and authentically raw.

Photographer Leon Heaney Hair & MU Jumoke Stylist Jordan P Littlejohn Creative Direction Wale Adeyemi

Growing up in a gospel-filled household, Ebubé was surrounded by a rich musical foundation that would eventually influence his distinct R&B sound. But it was his classical training at Eton, where he was awarded a music scholarship, that gave him the technical skills to approach music with a level of versatility few can match. “When I was growing up, I could be seen as ‘different’ in a lot of ways,” Ebubé explains. “It caused me to develop the skill of adapting early on. I learned that the status quo doesn’t have to guide the direction you want to go in. Having so many different style influences has allowed me to create something totally new—something that isn’t defined by any one genre. I love fusing all types of music together. Great music doesn’t have a genre.”

This philosophy of blending influences is central to Ebubé’s music. His ability to pull from both classical and gospel music, along with his personal love for R&B, results in a unique sound that’s as dynamic as it is emotionally resonant. Before his music career fully took off, Ebubé was on track to study medicine. A clear path, with years of preparation. But as the pandemic unfolded, Ebubé faced a pivotal moment in his life, and he made a bold decision.

“When the opportunity to pursue music full-time came about, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no harm in trying.’ Medical school could always be revisited, but the music industry is time-sensitive,” he reflects. “I didn’t know what the industry was going to have in store, and it was a lot more of an unknown than the more traditional academic path. It was a leap of faith, but it felt like the right moment to take that risk.”

That leap of faith has since led to viral TikTok covers, a growing fan base, and now, the release of his debut EP, Slow Jam Szn. While many artists have found success through TikTok, Ebubé’s rise was powered by a unique factor—his voice. “My voice timbre isn’t necessarily the norm in R&B,” he admits. “I was self-conscious about how it sounded at first. When my covers started doing well online, it reassured me that my voice could still connect with people, no matter how ‘unusual’ I thought it was.” The viral success was not just about numbers for Ebubé. It was a validation of his artistry and an acknowledgment that authenticity and vulnerability resonate with listeners. “It was a reminder that the numbers on social media translate to real people. People would come up to me on the street and talk about the videos. It was a humbling experience, and it showed me that music can touch people in real life in a way that’s more meaningful than just online success.”

As one of the founding members of the boy band No Guidnce, Ebubé experienced the thrill of rising stardom. But despite the excitement, he made the decision to step away and embark on a solo career. “Not many situations last forever,” he says, reflecting on his decision to step away from the group and pursue a solo career. “When it’s time to change, it often happens quickly. That sudden shift helped me grow.” Ebubé’s decision to go solo has given him creative freedom. “Going solo gave me more creative freedom, but with it came more responsibility. My success is now solely reliant on me and my work ethic. That responsibility excites me.” Since taking this step, Ebubé has truly come into his own.

“Last year was a big learning curve,” he shares, “but I’ve learned so much and I’m grateful for the growth.” One of the most striking elements of Ebubé’s solo work is the deep vulnerability that permeates his music. Tracks like “Where I Wanna Be” and “Lay With Me” dive deep into themes of emotional intimacy and self-reflection. “Vulnerability is what allows people to connect with your music,” he says. “I want to evoke a feeling in others that I know they probably feel too. I write best when I’m in a private space, whether that’s alone or with a collaborator who shares similar experiences. It helps me get into the right headspace.”

For Ebubé, it’s all about authenticity. “I used to write what I thought I should feel,” he admits. “But when I wrote ‘Where I Wanna Be’, I wrote exactly how I was feeling at that moment. And that was the moment I realized that writing from true emotion lets the song write itself.”

With his debut EP, Slow Jam Szn, Ebubé is doing what many artists have struggled to do in a world of quick hits and viral moments—he’s bringing back slow, meaningful R&B.

"Meaningful R&B, to me, is about vulnerability and real emotions. There’s a message behind the music that resonates with the listener," he says. The inspiration for the EP came from a range of artists—SZA, Usher, and Brandy, to name a few—but it’s clear that this project is uniquely Ebubé’s. “I want to create music that’s timeless. Something that will still be loved years from now.” One standout track, “Poison”, captures the complexity of loving someone who may not be the best for you. “Poison is a mix of personal experience and imagination,” Ebubé explains. “Even though the concept might seem imaginative, the idea of people giving their opinions about someone you’re involved with—and choosing to ignore them—is something everyone can relate to.”

In addition to Slow Jam Szn, Ebubé is breaking down barriers with his multilingual approach to music. His French version of “Where I Wanna Be”—“Là où j’aimerais être”—has already surprised many of his fans. “Using different languages in my music gives me the freedom to express emotions that might be difficult to capture in English,” he says. “French music has been an integral influence for me as a lyricist.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of-w0w2uvhE

And for the future? Ebubé is learning Spanish and teasing more multilingual tracks on the horizon. "I will definitely be performing at more venues and hopefully more headline events. I’m planning another EP by the end of the year, and I’m learning Spanish too,” he says, hinting at even more cross-genre and cross-lingual experimentation in the future. And as for his fans? Ebubé has one powerful message: “Life is all about experience. Embrace change, follow your gut, and make the most of every moment. If you want to make a big change in your life, go for it—passion is everything.”

For Ebubé, the future is limitless, and he’s just getting started. Read the full interview below for a deeper dive into Ebubé's artistry, influences, and the story behind Slow Jam Szn.

Your musical journey is quite unique, from playing classical violin at Eton to singing R&B on TikTok. How did your upbringing in a gospel-filled household and your classical training shape the artist you are today? Are there lessons from those early experiences that you carry into making R&B music now?

It definitely built up my ability to be versatile. I think the nature of how I grew up, being in environments where I could be seen as ‘different’, caused me to nurture the skill of adapting early on. It taught me that the status quo does not have to guide the direction you want to go in. This has bled into my own philosophy on music, in the sense that having so many different style influences can create something totally new and something that isn’t like any of the individual influences themselves. I love fusing all types of genres together as ultimately, I just want to create works that can become timeless and are just great music, and great music doesn’t have a genre.

Before pursuing music full-time, you were actually on track to study medicine. That’s a big life change! What was going through your mind when you made the pivot during the pandemic to focus on music? Was it a scary decision to leave the medical path, or did it feel like a liberating leap of faith?

I feel like it was a bit of a no-brainer. We don’t know how often opportunities arise, so when the opportunity to pursue music full-time came about as I was finishing secondary school, I thought to myself there is no harm in trying, medical school or any further studies can always be revisited, whereas sometimes in the music business it is quite time sensitive. I would say that it was a leap of faith because I had no idea what the industry was going to have in store, it was a lot more of an unknown than the studying path, for which I had prepared myself for years.

TikTok played a huge role in your initial breakout. Can you tell us what it was like to see your R&B cover videos go viral? How did that social media success influence your confidence or approach as an emerging artist? Any memorable fan interactions from those early TikTok days?

I think validation is powerful, and it needs to be used in the right way. I think it was really positive for me at that time, as having a voice timbre that isn't really common in the R&B space, I was quite self conscious of how it sounded. When my covers started doing well online, that was the reassurance to me that your voice can still touch people, no matter how ‘unusual’ you might think it is. The first few times that people in the street would come up and talk to me about the videos took some getting used to, but it was a reminder that the numbers on social media translate to real people that you are able to comfort and move with your music and voice.

As one of the founding members of No Guidnce, you experienced the excitement of a rising boy band. What were some highlights of your time with the group – perhaps a favorite performance or a moment when you realized “wow, we’re really gaining a following”? How did that shape your approach as a solo artist?

I think one of the highlights for me has got to be performing on the main stage at Wireless. I had never been to a festival before that, but having heard of Wireless for years and then making it onto the stage in front of so many people was special.

Ultimately, you decided to step away from No Guidnce to embark on a solo career. What drove that decision for you personally? How has the transition to being a solo artist been so far – both in terms of creative freedom and the pressures of going it alone?

Not many situations can last forever, and a lot of the time, the change can be drastic. I feel like dealing with that sudden change has helped me grow and, weirdly, takes any pressure off that music might create. Alone, you definitely have a lot more creative freedom and responsibility. Your sense of accountability increases as your own success is only reliant on you and your work ethic. Last year was a big learning point for me, and I am really grateful and blessed to have been able to transition from it well and take the positives out of it.

Your solo music has a very intimate, soulful vibe. For instance, “Where I Wanna Be” delves into feeling stuck and wanting to improve oneself, and “Lay With Me” is this beautiful slow jam about closeness. Is it ever intimidating to put so much of your personal emotions into your songs? How do you get yourself into that vulnerable headspace when writing or recording?

I don’t think it feels intimidating. As an artist, I feel like vulnerability is what allows others to relate to your art. I always like for people to talk their own message from the songs, so if I can evoke I feeling I have that others probably do too, I love to include that in my music. To get myself in that headspace, I often like writing and producing on my own in my room, or having a deep conversation with a collaborator and writing based off the similarities we may have on the topic.

Storytelling and vulnerability seem to be trademarks of your songwriting. Have you always been comfortable writing about your feelings and real-life experiences, or is that something you grew into over time? Can you share an example of a song that was particularly challenging or cathartic for you to write because of how personal it was?

I definitely have had to learn and grow into writing what I feel and not what I think I should feel, or what others may want to hear. I’d say ‘Where I Wanna Be’ out of the songs that are out right now was definitely the song where I consciously told myself to write literally about how I was feeling directly. I found that writing that way, the song writes itself and since then I’ve really been able to get to that flow state a lot more often.

You’ve mentioned that you want to “bring back slow, meaningful R&B” with your upcoming Slow Jam Szn EP. What does “meaningful R&B” mean to you in this context? What inspirations (musical or personal) went into creating this EP, and how do the songs reflect where you’re at in life right now?

I think by meaningful R&B, I am talking about that vulnerability and often a real message being behind the song. Creatively, I was inspired by SZA’s latest project, and also Usher and Brandy’s song and techniques. The songs give a glimpse of the versatility not just in sound, but also in message that I am trying to send across with my music, and reflects how I and a lot of others feel about life and love that they may not necessarily want to or have the time to verbalize.

Speaking of the EP, “Slow Jam Szn” includes a track called “Poison.” It’s a great song with an interesting theme – loving someone who might be seen as “bad for you.” What inspired that song? Is it drawn from personal experience or more from imagination? I’m curious how you approach writing about complex relationship dynamics like that.

I feel like most of my songs are a combination of personal experience and imagination. Poison for example, whilst the actual concept is imaginative, the idea of other people trying to give their opinion on the person you like or are with, yet you don’t want to listen and go ahead anyways is a universal feeling, whether or not that person is actually a ‘poison’ for you. That’s the angle that I also wanted to have in the song aside from the obvious face-value of the girl being ‘dangerous’.

You also surprised fans with a French version of “Where I Wanna Be.” Not many UK artists record bilingual tracks! What motivated you to record “Là où j’aimerais être” for your French-speaking audience? As someone who’s fluent in French, do you see yourself doing more multilingual projects or collaborations in the future?

Yes! I definitely will be bringing more multilingual tracks in the future, as with language, you can express feelings and thoughts in a different language that English can’t physically do, and the same vice versa. For me, French music has been integral to my influences as a lyricist and artist in that using different languages gives you more license for freedom.

Collaboration has been a part of your journey (from working with Victoria Monét in the No Guidnce days to newer collaborations like with producer Joe Gosling). Is there anyone – producers, songwriters, or fellow artists – you dream of working with as you develop your solo catalog? What do you value most when collaborating with someone on music?

I would love to meet new artists to potentially collaborate with, as I value the sense of shared experiences when collaborating on music. Often, the collaborative sessions that I have enjoyed the most have been when you find out that you have a lot in common with the other person in terms of their own experiences and/or relationships, and I feel like ideas and music flows much better when it is like that.

Your music blends genres in subtle ways. We can hear the R&B, but also touches of gospel and even classical elements. Do you consciously try to fuse those influences, or does it happen naturally? For example, might we ever hear a violin solo in one of your R&B tracks as a nod to your classical side?

It definitely is a thing that happens naturally. I just try to let the influences that have shaped me for years be heard in the music itself. I would love to incorporate more classical elements too, when the opportunity presents itself.

You’ve started performing live as a solo act and even sold out some shows. How does it feel performing your own material on stage compared to performing as part of a group? Any favorite moments from recent gigs – maybe that Paris show or the Jazz Café night – that made you think, “This is exactly where I wanna be” (pun intended)?

It is a really special feeling. I really loved the show in Paris, it was special to be able to share that moment with the people who felt moved but my music. When I perform on my own the performance definitely feels a lot more personal and intimate. I can’t wait to be able to build out the discography and incorporate more musical elements in future shows.

A lot has happened in just a couple of years for you. If you could go back and talk to yourself in 2020, when you were just posting covers online, what advice or insight would you give that younger Ebubé? In what ways do you think you’ve grown or changed the most since then?

I would tell him to embrace all the change and enjoy every moment. Also, not to become tunnel-visioned on a specific goal, as that may not be all that is planned for you. I think in the last 5 years I have learnt and seen so much, and really have been able to learn about myself.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you after the EP release? Do you have plans for a tour or live performances to promote Slow Jam Szn? Any upcoming projects or experiments (maybe more languages, or a different genre twist) that you’re excited about, and can give us a hint of?

I will definitely be performing at more venues and hopefully more headline events. I am planning another EP to come before the end of the year. I am learning Spanish too so we will see about that…

Finally, after everything you’ve experienced in your career and life so far, what is your ultimate message to your fans? How do you want them to feel after listening to your music?

I want them to feel free of how they might be told to feel, and just go with their gut. If you like something, like it passionately, if you strongly have a desire to go somewhere or to make a big change, go for it! Life is all about experience at the end of the day, and the way we go about acquiring them daily shapes our identity

What do you hope people feel or take away when they listen to your music? Whether it’s a new fan pressing play on your single or someone seeing you live for the first time, what’s the main thing you want your audience to connect with in Ebubé’s music?

I want them to see and feel the passion and how proud I am of what I put out, and to see that anything is possible.