We caught up with the brilliant and insightful elleVATE aka Elle R.O.C. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
elleVATE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
One of my wisest investments was when I purchased a used drum machine from a former co-worker. This purchase happened at a time when I wasn’t actively working on any music. I was focused on work and family, but I also had a desire to one day learn how to make beats. After making this purchase, I slowly learned how to operate it, mainly by watching YouTube videos. I practiced blending sounds and creating basslines, and finally succeeded at making beats. I say that this was a wise purchase, because it reinvigorated my desire to once again create songs. In the past, I had always depended on other producers to submit tracks, but it felt great to now possess the power to create my own music!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a child, I recall feelings of inner joy and excitement whenever I heard a rap song. I was filled with pride every time I heard a hip-hop track, witnessed a break-dancer, heard a deejay scratching or saw beautiful art on a freshly tagged wall. It was more than just the music, but it was the entire culture. I was a shy child, who grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, but I somehow felt right at home in the presence of hip-hop. My earliest childhood memory of rap music was when The Sugarhill Gang released “Rapper’s Delight”. By the age of 12, I was writing my own rap songs along with my brother. Although I was writing and reciting my songs to friends and family, I didn’t pursue making records until I moved to Atlanta many years later. I was also raised in the church, and faith is vital to me. In the early 90’s, I decided to merge my love for God and Hip-Hop, and I began writing more purposeful material. Under the moniker ElleR.O.C., I was featured on some nationally released compilation albums between 1998-2001. I was also the sole female member of a group of like-minded emcees called Sound of the Rebirth. I finally released my debut album, I Die Daily, in October of 2001. The release of this project opened many doors for me as an artist, and I traveled extensively for a few years.
I dropped my sophomore project, Soul Therapy, in 2007, and my most recent full-length project, Ellevation Volume 1, was released in 2021, under my newly adopted name, elleVATE.
Some of my many challenges as an artist came early in my career. In the past, it was difficult to break through and be taken seriously as a female rap artist. I often felt that the fellas weren’t impressed with me, or that I had to work harder to be considered a credible rapper. Things are much different now; with 5 of the top rap artists’ today being female. I’m now considered an O.G. in the rap game, and I still have a lot to say. I’ll stop creating music when God stops giving me content. I believe in the power of words to bring about change and to drop seeds that will blossom. That’s my driving force to continue creating. Yes, I love hip-hop music, but I love speaking life even more! Many use the platform to spew garbage, but I’m called to a higher cause. My relationship with Christ compels me to stand in the gap and to be a light in every environment I’m in. That light stays on whether I’m creating songs, speaking before a crowd or even walking down the street.
My latest single, Resilience, drops on November 3rd. It features Precise aka Bob Young (from Corey Red & Precise). This song speaks on finding the strength to stand in the midst of the many blows that life throws. Not all hip-hop music is filled with profanity, oversexualized themes, and negativity, but I encourage every reader to search for those artists who genuinely desire to lift you up!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I believe that the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having the ability to share your personal thoughts and works with countless people. We’re passionate about what we create and put out there. When others take what we’ve given and make it multiply, that’s empowering!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In June of 2005 I married the love of my life. When we began dating, I was a full-time artist. As we started to plan our wedding, I realized that my “starving artist” income was not enough for me to fairly contribute to our household. As much as I loved the exciting life of being on the road and experiencing new adventures every day, I knew that this opportunity to marry and start a family might never again come. I then decided to return to the 9-5 grind and to put the music on the back burner. I took a more than 10 year hiatus from the music industry as we built a family, and I once again started releasing music as the kids grew older. My re-introduction to the music world is yet another pivot in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ellethefemcee
- Facebook: @ellevatemusic
- Twitter: @ellethefemcee
- Youtube: @ellevatemusic2683
Image Credits
Truly Vintage Photography