‘On the other side of pain there can be renewal’: Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso on reasons to hold on to hope

The bandleader, drummer, DJ and broadcaster is guest-editing this week’s Saturday magazine Culture features. In his editor’s letter, he shares why he’s optimistic for the future. Plus: his bandmates offer their cultural picks• ‘Things work out for the good people’: Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso meets his inspirations• ‘Like painting with light’: photographer Temi Adegbayibi on capturing the energy of music• My cultural awakening, featuring Ezra CollectiveMy first thought when contacted about guest editing the culture section in today’s Saturday magazine was: this will elevate me into an intellectual bracket far beyond my wildest dreams. The first person I told was my dad. The second was my secondary school English teacher, Mr Pickering. I guess it was a subtle way of letting them know that the student is now in charge.It’s a truly wonderful feeling. Even if this entire takeover is trash, I’m still proud to have been given this wonderful opportunity. That sa