Creative Resilience and the Search for Joy
Femi Koleoso of the band Ezra Collective recently convened a group of influential figures to discuss the tension between personal hardship and creative output. The participants, including singer Leona Lewis, designer Yinka Ilori, and Arsenal footballer Eberechi Eze, reflected on how their respective professional paths were shaped by moments of doubt and rejection. Koleoso opened the conversation by noting his interest in the spectrum between pain and joy, questioning how individuals maintain creative momentum when facing systemic or personal obstacles.
Leona Lewis detailed her upbringing in Hackney, where she managed the isolation of school bullying by dedicating herself to music. She credits her father’s expansive record collection with introducing her to powerful vocalists, which eventually led her to the Brit School. For Lewis, music functioned as a form of essential therapy during difficult periods. She described a recent encounter at an airport where a fan told her that her songs helped them through a divorce, reinforcing her belief that vulnerability and connection are central to her work.
Overcoming Early Rejection and Finding Purpose
Eberechi Eze shared the story of being released by eight different football clubs as a child, including Arsenal. He described the period after leaving Arsenal at age 13 as a formative crisis of identity, noting that he felt lost without the structure of the club that his family had been associated with for years. Despite these setbacks, Eze maintained a commitment to his goal, which he eventually achieved by signing with the Gunners in 2025. He views his career as a fulfillment of a promise that was held by both him and his family for years, emphasizing that gratitude remains his primary takeaway from that experience.
Yinka Ilori echoed these sentiments regarding the need to navigate loss while maintaining a public-facing commitment to brightness. Growing up on the Marquess Estate, Ilori found himself drawn to design rather than the more common interests of his peers. He funded the start of his career with a 3,500 pound loan from the Prince’s Trust while working retail at Marks & Spencer. Today, his focus remains on making play accessible for underprivileged communities through the construction of public spaces like basketball courts, aiming to turn design into a global language of resilience.
Looking Toward Future Impact
Koleoso noted that his interest in these individuals stems from their ability to remain hopeful in the face of adversity. He pointed to the example of young people he works with in his youth mentorship programs, describing them as machines of joy who are rarely discouraged for long. This perspective informs his work with Ezra Collective, particularly regarding their upcoming album, Here Because of Hope, which is scheduled for release on 18 September. The band aims to explore how music born from painful conditions can transform into a source of collective celebration.
Each participant is now focused on how to pass these lessons to the next generation. Eze is currently working through The Eze Foundation to provide mentorship to young athletes. Lewis is finishing a self-produced record where she is experimenting with instruments including bass and drums to push her own creative boundaries. Ilori is shifting his professional energy toward creating permanent recreational spaces in neglected urban areas. These efforts represent a shared belief that creative expression serves as a primary tool for navigating adversity.