'5 Questions With': JERUB
"I love writing songs about real, genuine and authentic things. They’re usually inspired by my world or the world around me. I feel like that’s what helps people connect with my music the most."
After his touching release ‘Feel It‘, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, singer JERUB is now back with his new track ‘No Good Alone’ which speaks up about isolation and loneliness - a topic we’ve all been too familiar with throughout never-ending lockdowns in the past year. Born in Nigeria and moving to Nottingham in his early teenage years, JERUB has been around a variety of music growing up, such as Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin. Thanks to the exposure to different cultures and music genres, the artist - who was also a finalist in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Introducing talent search - has already built up a fanbase due to his soothing and rich vocals, raw storytelling and effortlessly blending gospel, soul and pop.
Read the full interview below…
EQ: Your music is a great blend of soul, gospel and pop, which artists did you grow up listening to and how has growing up in both Nigeria and England shaped you as an artist?
J: I grew up listening to lots of gospel. My parents loved gospel music so that’s all we heard around the house. Artists like Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond. I loved listening to Soul artists like Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, even Boyz II Men. In my teenage years I really got into pop music and singer-songwriter artists like Ed Sheeran, Matt Corby and Adele. Growing up in Nigeria, I feel like I learned a lot about hard work, family, character, resilience and some key principles in life that you just need and have definitely influenced me as an artist. Remembering my roots helps me stay grounded and grateful. England has been the place where I’ve learned about music, developed my passions and had the opportunity to do something different.
EQ: So tell us about your journey in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Introducing talent search! Congrats on being a finalist 🙂
J: Well I saw the promo on Dean Jackson’s Instagram calling artists for this competition and honestly, I didn’t fully know what it was at the time. Usually when I see those competitions, I think to myself that there are going to be thousands applying and my chances are so slim, but, I entered anyway. A few weeks on I got an email explaining that I had been shortlisted and would need to send in a live recording of one of my songs and a cover so I sent that through and shortly after, I got a call that I had made it to the top 5 out of 10,000. To be honest, I didn’t get how big of a deal it was until it sunk in like 3 days later after I had processed it. Although I didn’t win, I was super proud to have made it to the finals.
“We need each other. Isolation is a killer. We need to do life with each other. “
- Jerub
EQ: You’ve just released your new single ’No Good Alone’, what can you tell us about that yet?
J: Often when I sit down to write, what comes out is usually what’s on my mind at that time and what came out of me was this. The truth is, I’m that guy who can easily go in on himself and be isolated but I’m learning that is not always the best place to be. I think everyone can relate. The last 16-18 months we’ve been forced into a place where we had to be alone, having to isolate and I think we are all realising that we need people. We need each other. Isolation is a killer. We need to do life with each other. So that’s what the song is about really. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
EQ: What’s your creative process when penning a new song?
J: I love writing songs about real, genuine and authentic things. They’re usually inspired by my world or the world around me. I feel like that’s what helps people connect with my music the most. The realness and the depth. I work really well collaboratively so I usually get in a session with a mate and we spend a few hours penning down what’s in my head.
EQ: What else have you got coming up that you could share with us? 🙂
J: I can’t wait for ‘No Good Alone‘ to be out and to play some live music in the second half of the year! I still can’t believe live music is back. I play Dot to Dot festival on the 25th and 26th of September and some more live shows to be announced soon. I’m also going to be releasing some more music soon so stay tuned!!
Watch the lyric video for ‘No Good Alone below…
Youtube/ JERUB
Stream ‘No Good Alone‘ HERE
Follow JERUB on socials:
Instagram:@jerubmusic
Facebook: @jerubmusic
