Nigerian singer-songwriter Eri Ife, also known as “Esquire Wey Dey Run Choir,” has returned with a new EP titled Rubicon, a project that furthers his exploration of soul, alternative, and R&B while placing his spirituality at the forefront.
The artist, who describes himself as a “sonic chameleon,” spoke about the experiences and convictions that shaped the record, from his early musical memories to his dual career as an entertainment lawyer.
Early musical roots and a name change
Eri Ife’s connection to music predates his time in the church choir. He recalled a formative moment at age five, hearing a song so moving it “broke my heart.” He suspects it was either an Enya track or Dido’s “Life for Rent.” Growing up, he also absorbed the sounds of Lagbaja and Yinka Ayefele before discovering mainstream Afrobeats in secondary school.
Before adopting his birth name, he performed as a rapper under the stage name Calderon. “I had a cousin who was nicknamed that and my 17-year-old brain thought it was the coolest name ever,” he said. The shift came when he picked up the guitar and began writing more vulnerable, honest songs. “The entire vibe of what I created changed, and I knew the name had to change with it.”
Faith, heritage, and a musical redirection
Although he was raised in the UK, Eri Ife’s Nigerian identity is unmistakable in his music, from the production to lyrics that weave in Yoruba. “My heritage forms a critical part of my identity,” he explained. “I’m a Yoruba boy who had the privilege of growing up middle class. I may speak grammar from time to time but ibile ni mi.” He added that being multilingual allows him to access a depth of expression that English alone might not satisfy.
His Christian faith, he said, is now central to his work, though that was not always the case. Until about 2021, he was a secular artist and had begun to explore edgier themes. “My re-direction is because I’ve been asked to do this. The Eri Ife you see today is just a guy trying to follow his Father’s instructions.”
Influences and current inspirations
As a rapper, he drew heavily from BOB, J. Cole, and Jon Bellion. “A Cole verse or a Jon Bellion verse would be a dream if they ever wanted to write Christian music,” he said. Among contemporary Nigerian artists, he pointed to Anendlessocean (AEO), Sinmidele, Sal Ly, Greatman Takit, and Sewa as sources of inspiration, praising their writing and vulnerability.
Balancing law and music
Eri Ife is also a practising lawyer, a dual path he described as “not easy.” Still, he expressed gratitude for his legal training, which has enabled him to provide legal support to fellow creatives and work on entertainment deals over the past three to four years. “It’s all shaped up very nicely,” he said.
The most personal track on ‘Rubicon’
While songs like “Found You” and “Finding God” hold special meaning, Eri Ife named “Miles & Miles” as the most personally significant track on the EP. “It’s so real to me,” he said, describing it as the song that carries the deepest emotional weight.
