Erica iJi aka EJ is a British singer-songwriter. She was born in Plymouth to an English mother and Nigerian father. She now lives in London.[1] Her notable works include the track 'It's Over' which featured on Ministry of Sound's popular Bassline compilation "The sound of Bassline 2".[2][3]

Erica iJi
Birth nameErica Iji
BornPlymouth, Devon, England
GenresR&B, pop, soul
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2005–present
Websiteericaijimusic.com

Her vocals have also featured on the album Scratch Came Scratch Saw Scratch Conquered by the pioneering dub and reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. Released in 2008, SCSSSC went to number 8 in the Billboard World Music airplay chart in the US. The track "Heavy Voodoo" also featured Keith Richards on guitar.[4][5]

Musical career

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To date Iji has released one studio album and two EPs. Her first album made in 2006 was entitled I AmErica.[6] The debut was made with production company 'State of Emergency'. Iji worked with producer Steve Marshall who has also produced three albums with Lee 'Scratch' Perry.[5][7] Her RNB track "Gotta Be Love" taken from the EP EJ was first played on BBC radio 1xtra in 2013 on the CJ Beatz show,[8] where she was noted as one of the brightest talents to watch for from the South Coast.[9]

Iji was listed on the musical line up in May 2014 for 'City Showcase' festival at Soho Flea market in London; previous performers at the Soho flea market include Amy Winehouse.[10]

Features and collaborations

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In 2008, her vocals featured on the track "Heavy Voodoo" from the album Scratch Came, Scratch Saw, Scratch Conquered by 'Lee "Scratch" Perry. Keith Richards played guitar for the track.[11][12]

In 2009, Iji featured on Ministry of Sounds compilation CD The Sound of Bassline 2. The track "It's Over" was a collaboration with 'DJ Matchstick' and was remixed by producer 'Wittyboy'.[13]

Erica has collaborated with several other artists including SN1's collective 'Joe Grind' who is the brother of British rapper Giggs.[14] Iji featured on Grind's mix tape entitled "Give to Gain" in 2011 and appeared in the video for "unconditional love" which she sang the chorus for.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ "Erica iJi aka EJ". City Showcase. 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  2. ^ "sound of bassline2". sound of bassline2. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  3. ^ "rwdmag bassline". Rwdmag.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  4. ^ "'scratch-came-scratch-saw'". Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b "State of Emergency website". Soemusic.net/. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  6. ^ "I AmErica". Ericaiji.com. 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  7. ^ "BPI Page 20 'Steve Marshall'" (PDF). 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Gotta Be Love (CJ Beatz Play on BBC 1Xtra)". 8 October 2013.
  9. ^ "Xtra Talent Highlights". BBC. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  10. ^ Bargiela, Sarah (2 May 2014). "Soho Flea Market reveals music line-up". Entertainment-Focus.com. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  11. ^ "SCRATCH CAME, SCRATCH SAW, SCRATCH CONQUERED". MEGAWAVE records. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Lee "Scratch" Perry – Scratch Came, Scratch Saw, Scratch Conquered". Keithrichards.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  13. ^ "The Sound of Bassline 2". iTunes. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Joe Grind". Grmdaily.com. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  15. ^ "JOE GRIND". DatPiff. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  16. ^ "JOE GRIND "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE" FT ERICA IJI". Jump Off TV. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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