Elujay — Interview

What is your real name? Rap name? Tell us the story behind your rap name.

Ian Jackson. Elujay. My friend in middle school gave me an African tribal name — Elu — and Jay came from my last name Jackson.

How long have you been in the rap game? What got you involved in the hip hop scene?

I’ve been rapping for 4 years now. I got involved from producing.

Who and what inspires you as an artist? Who and what are your early influences?

Musiq Soulchild. My early influences were E40, Dom Kennedy, and Kendrick Lamar.

What do you typically rap about? Are there things that you think artists these days should rap about?

I rap about my honest past and current living situation and future goals with honestly… bold statements. However I talk about current events and the world… really everything. Yea, people should be more honest.

What are the stages in your writing process?

I listen to a beat for hours coming up with verses. I’ll end up scrapping one, and do it all over again.

What are you currently working on? Any project to be released? Release date?

I’m working on my debut project “Jentrify”. Me and my manager Alex are shooting for March.

If you were to compare your current music to your earlier music, how have things changed/evolved?

I’ve gotten more lyrical n musical. The musicality has evolved a lot.

What, in your opinion, is the present state of hip hop? Has it gotten better or worse over the years?

Certain varieties of rap have gotten worse, like the mainstream realm, but for the most part there are a lot [of] talented acts coming out each year.

What do you think could possibly revolutionize the hip hop world?

More honest raps n honest listeners.

As an artist, what is your biggest contribution to the industry? What is your ultimate goal at the end of your career?

Musicality and the ability to universally connect with the listeners.

How can people reach you?

@elujay — Twitter, IG. Yeee!