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Singer Erica Cody: ‘My closest brush with the law was when my hair got frisk-searched in an airport in North Carolina when I was 15’

The R&B singer talks about her early basketball dreams, being scared of moths and the time she rescued an ex-racehorse

Erica Cody Expand
Erica Cody

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R&B singer Erica Cody grew up in Baldoyle in Dublin and started writing music at age six. Once on course for a basketball scholarship in the US, she decided to concentrate on music. She won a scholarship from DIT and studied vocals at BIMM Dublin. A prominent campaigner championing Irish female talent and issues around racism and equality, Erica was part of the Irish Women in Harmony collective.

What’s your earliest memory?

I was very young and I remember hearing Stevie Wonder in the house.

When and where were you happiest?

I think, as an adult, I was at my happiest just before Covid.

What keeps you awake at night?

Moths are my biggest fear. If there was one in my bedroom, I wouldn’t sleep.

What’s your least, and your most, attractive trait?

I think my least could be that I’m really impatient, and my most attractive trait would be that I’m extremely caring. I’ve a big heart.

What trait do you deplore most in others?

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Rudeness in people; there’s no need.

What’s the first thing you’d do if you were Taoiseach?

Solve the housing crisis and build affordable homes.

What’s your biggest insecurity?

I hate my feet, but I love dancing!

Who would you most like to go for a pint with?

At this moment, Fontaines DC. I just think they are fantastic.

Which fictional character do you most identify with?

Nala from The Lion King.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have my Nana’s Tara brooch that I think is something that I’m going to treasure forever.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Playing Sims video games. It brings me back to my childhood. It’s a great form of total escapism for me.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Treat people how you want to be treated.

Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

I did the stage school thing from the age of three and was playing basketball from six. Basketball was my outlet and music was my therapy. It was when I opened for Wizkid (Nigerian singer/songwriter) when I was 15 that I caught the bug. I knew this was something I wanted to do forever. The way it made me feel; I felt safe, I felt home. It was the one place in life I felt I could be totally myself — on stage.

When did you last cry, and why?

I cried in London earlier this month with my friend. I think I was just a bit overwhelmed; you know, you haven’t seen your best friend in two years; you’ve a lot of catching up.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

If I was older, I’d want Angela Bassett, but if I was younger, I’d want Marsai Martin.

Do you believe in a God?

I definitely believe in a higher power, so yeah, we can call him God. I think there is life after death, absolutely.

What’s your favourite word?

Absolutely.

What’s the last TV show you binge-watched?

Squid Game on Netflix. It’s traumatising yet I can’t take my eyes off it. Another one I had to binge was Sex Education.

What’s been your closest brush with the law?

When my hair got frisk-searched in Charlotte airport in North Carolina when I was 15.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

I’d tell myself to be patient.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

To read people’s minds.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve done, but it’s hard that music wasn’t always my full-time job, especially being an independent artist.

Tell us a secret...

I rescued an ex-racehorse years ago. My mam’s friend had a stable in Kinnegad and I’d go down and spend my weekends with the horse.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

I’ve always said this. I’d love Hypnotize by The Notorious BIG. I find funerals very hard, so if I could just do anything to have a bit of humour at my funeral, I’d want to uplift people and make them want to laugh.

Erica’s EP Love & Light is out on October 28, available through Spotify and all good streaming platforms

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