British jazz ensemble Ezra Collective announced its fourth studio album, “Here Because Of Hope,” and released the lead single “Only Love” featuring rapper Pa Salieu [1], [2], [3].
The announcement follows the group's appearance as headliners for a stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in the UK [2], [4]. As the ensemble expands its influence within the global jazz and contemporary music scenes, this project marks a significant step in its discography [2].
The album is scheduled for release on Sept. 18, 2026 [1], [4], [5]. The group described the record as an ambitious project that explores a thematic transition from suffering to happiness. "This album is the journey from that pain to joy, and the connective word in the middle is hope," Ezra Collective said [1].
To introduce the project, the band released “Only Love,” a track featuring Pa Salieu [1], [3]. The ensemble said it was thrilled to collaborate with Salieu on the single [3]. Other collaborators on the upcoming record include Letitia Wright [6].
The group's decision to pair jazz instrumentation with contemporary rap and vocal features continues its trend of blending genres to reach a wider audience. The band's presence at the BBC Radio 1 event served as the backdrop for the reveal, highlighting its current momentum in the British music industry [2], [4].
“"This album is the journey from that pain to joy, and the connective word in the middle is hope."”
The release of 'Here Because Of Hope' signifies Ezra Collective's continued effort to modernize jazz by integrating it with hip-hop and contemporary R&B. By collaborating with artists like Pa Salieu and Letitia Wright, the ensemble is positioning jazz not as a static historical genre, but as a flexible medium capable of addressing modern emotional narratives and reaching mainstream audiences through high-profile platforms like BBC Radio 1.
