STR SHOWCASE: ELIJAH LEFLORE
Fresh off the release of a new project, how are you feeling?
I feel amazing! Always a great feeling to see an idea to its completion. Honestly, somewhat exhausted. As a creative it takes a lot of energy to get these ideas from the drawing board, to the design table and delivered to the fans. So right now, I’m pushing the Midnight Summer’ agenda while still being cognizant of my mental health.
The sound and vibe for this project are heavyily 80s inspired, what were you thoughts on creating it this way?
Myself, Ro Marsalis, and Wildlife Willy were actually working on another follow up LP and one day I was listening to Prince and got super inspired. I reached out to both of them, I think via voice text and was like “ g, I think I want to scrap what we have and focus on an 80’s inspired EP” They both did a really amazing job bringing these ideas to life. Also Swade and IBClassic. I let them know what I was working on and without hearing anything they sent some beautiful production that was right on par. Ro is a legend, he made sure everything was cohesive sonically and that we stayed on track for the goal of the 80’s sound.
Elijah, your consistency and dedication has been crazy to see, what has been the main driver of this?
Man, one of my homies Rio was talking to me in November of 2021 and was basically like, what have you done to make you feel like you deserve to be where you want. Honest answer was nothing. I stopped complaining on what I felt wasn’t happening for me and blaming people for not supporting me that I considered close to me and did the shit myself. Excuse my passion. Nothing of worth comes without work. So I just got that battery put in my back to keep going, to keep working. In the words of the legend Kobe, “Jobs not finished” I’m not known throughout the world yet, I’m not considered a shaker and resource pool. I’m not in a position to help my community financially which are things that I desire. So until I am sitting at the table I created to do that. I’m going to keep cooking.
Do you think you achieved what you want relating to this release?
Absolutely! I saw growth. That’s what matters the most. More people that I can visibly see have grown a respect for my craft. The fruits of my labor are growing a bit faster than the last release, the pen is getting sharper and the story is evolving. We all desire to be masters at something but every master is a great student. That’s the biggest achievement. I am learning so much through the process and it’s continuous.
Going into music, what were some of your biggest inspirations (people, places, events)
Stevie, MJ, and Ye musically. So many more but that’s the major three. Of course I am inspired by my hometown Chicago and the individuals who have been in and out of my life, but the world has so much to offer that I wish to travel to gain more inspiration. Develop new stories to tell. The ultimate goal is to create a sound that promotes peace and wellness in some way. I have a lot of pain some people close to me know and some they don’t. Through that pain I recognize that so many people if not all around the world are hurting. I believe in freedom, justice and equality. That’s the mantra I was raised on and spoon fed. The world is far from that. So those who believe that message have a lot of work to do.
Finally, what do you think the next steps for Elijah are?
To watch that game tape. Study, see what I did well and see where I need improvement. Growth, of myself and a team to assist me in the development of future ideas and goals. Health and Wellness, so took a few weeks to focus on self and family. I’m ready to dive into more features so hopefully my peers in the artist community would like to have me at their homes of artistry to create and vice versa. I really want to do more collaborating. Lastly, reflection. I am a Muslim so I pray to Allah ( I could do better on that honestly), but I reflect a lot, and focus on my breathing. Calming my mind and soul. I deal with a lot of daily mood changes so this is what I need to balance myself. Whether you are religious or spiritual or both. I think it helps for everyone to reflect daily and just breathe.