The Giant Blast: Is
Ike Ellis your birth name or a stage name? If it's a stage name
why did you decide to go with Ike Ellis?
Ike Ellis: IKE ELLIS is my stage name. The name
IKE been my nick name since I was little boy. I didn't want to deviate from who
i really am, but I did not want the world to know the entire aspect of my
personal life, until later. The Ellis came from young guy I use to mentor whose
name was "Mike Ellis". I heard his name called over the intercom time and time
again and in my mind it had a great ring to it. So I drop the "M" and IKE ELLIS
was born. The rap name before IKE ELLIS was Slick P, Mr. L I, which was plain,
or wack in my opinion, nor did it embody my music, or persona at all. SO IKE
ELLIS was created.
Where
are you located?
I’m located in the great state of North Carolina. I live in the
919 area code region, but I am from the 910 area. The county is Pender County;
the neighborhood is Wood Side North Carolina.
What inspired you to rap?
A couple things inspired me to rap lines. First, in 1995 a Lost
Boys concert, made me want to perform in front of people. 2Pac displayed a way
for me to think outside of the normal hip hop, using the message in the music to
inspire the people. Third I love music; it used to help me go to
sleep at night. Last, I get a thrill when people tell me what I can't do, and I
prove them otherwise. With the rap game it's always somebody who says what
can't be done.
Who were some of your influences growing
up?
My mom was my number 1 influence; my two uncles also were highly
inspiration and influential in my life. My grandmother was also major
influence.
What do you pump in your i-pod or in
your ride right now? Who do you listen to?
I don't have a I pod, but if I had one, the great musical artists
would be playing. Just to name a few, 2Pac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Michael
Jackson, Creed, Adele, Jadakiss, Anthony Hamilton, and more. I listen to all
types of artists and genres, but the message in the music has to be meaningful
or relevant to something in my life. As I evolve as an artist, I have become
very critical, and listen to music differently now. There are plateaus that I
want to reach and to get there I have to listen to those who have reach
them.
How would you describe yourself as an
artist?
As an artist, I am serious about my craft. I spend hours and hours
making music because of the nature of my artist development. Being independent,
certain aspect I had to learn before the music could ever be produce. I don't
have access to a engineer, producer, writers, promoters, manager. With that
being sad I have to fulfill all of those roles and be the artist also. IKE
ELLIS is a 480 degree artist. I am very hands on with my career. It's hard for
me to trust individuals due to the cut throat industry. Also my money is
limited which forces me to execute functions that some would otherwise pay for.
Until the money is made, I will have to be this way as an artist. Besides the
music though, I am business minded individual who try to make things happen. I
have my own media company. I have promoted events major and small. I have 9
credits hours left before I have a master degree. The artist of IKE ELLIS is
more than a rapper is the basic description. I have work hard all my life which
is an advantage. I am a Leo, leader, my birth date is AUG 10. Very confident,
but try to be humble so I don't step on other's toes.
Who have you worked with?
I have opened for the legendary Slick rick and Dougie fresh, Travis
porter, Jadakiss. I have done
songs with countless local artists in the North Carolina region.
I work with my team, 100 Grand Ent
and network with others.
Who would you like to work with in the
future?
I would like to work with Andre 3000, T I, Erica Badu, Dr. Dre,
Adele, Eminem,
Tell us about your new single "Loving You", how would you
describe it for those who haven't heard it?
I would describe "Loving You" as one of those universal songs that
everybody can relate to. Without comparing the song, the track gave me the
feeling of when I heard "Summertime" by Will Smith, or "Juicy" by Biggie for the
first time while I was writing the joint. Each person have
experienced concepts with in the song that is expressed at some point in their
life coming from the world I am from.
What inspired you to go with this single for the lead
single to your forthcoming album Cornbread?
The song is universal. It's people that don’t like certain things,
but it's has one of those undeniable feels to it that perfect for a lead
single. Not to mention it's embodies the entire Cornbread direction of
point that was trying to be reached thru out the album.
There are a lot of slideshows on YouTube to support the
single, are you thinking of or working on doing an official music video for the
single?
Yes thinking of going to New York, the birth place of hip hop to
shoot the video. I really want to catch the essence of the song, the love of
the music, so preparing the props at this moment to make sure the video is
Official for the world to experience the true feeling of what the song is
worth.
What other singles are you planning on
releasing?
The next single is called
"Walk Round" catchy song and debating between the third single, I have another
banger "Turn Da Lights Down Low" featuring Qua Qween that I think the ladies
will love.
Could you break down the science behind the title of your
album Cornbread?
The Cornbread is something that has been identified with "black
folks" since the beginning of time. From the plantations, to the funerals, to
the underground railroads, to the cook outs, to the soul food the cornbread was
pertinent to the survival of an entire culture. The sustenance of the cornbread
is fulfilling. The meal is not complete without the cornbread which is analogy
for the rap game is not complete without the album. It's from the soul of IKE
ELLIS. Everything I have ever known, felt, is touched on in this album. The
spirits of every slave that was in the slave trade to every little black child
that have gone thru some type of struggle can relate to the science of the
cornbread. Not to exclude any other children who may have encountered
struggle. All types of moments throughout the album introduce IKE ELLIS as the
artist as well. The versatility, but consistent format to the Cornbread
album creates a dynamic of possibilities of what an independent artist can
accomplish.
What can listeners expect to hear on this
album?
Calculated rhyme patterns, energy, passion, dedication, content
with messages, monstrous production. As the old folks would say IKE ELLIS put
his foot in this one. The versatility without limitation to be defined in the
industry standards is represented within this album. The Heart and soul is on
the plate for the world to enjoy. The album tone is serious and unexpected with
a true element of surprise. The album represents materialization of mix tape
artist into an artist to be acknowledged, and respected.
Are you working on any other projects right
now?
Working on 4 mix tapes to be distributed, but the concentrations
are on this album. 100,000 units is the goal to reach.
What inspired you to reach out to The Giant Blast for
promotion and extra PR?
Mainly the prices for the services. Also the personal
informal relationship that was built thru the email help us make my choice to do
business with The Giant blast. Some companies are out to the take advantage but
that feeling was not received while interacting with the giant
Blast.
What's next for Ike Ellis?
The expansion of my company "Mirror me Media" Building a bridge of
other artist in the North Carolina region to actually create a buzz.
Making north Carolina known as an identified force in the music
industry, but more so independently like “Rap a Lot” records for example.
We see that you do more than just rap.... what other
talents do you have?
I started a media company which creates a path for me to explore
other things in entertainment. I make flyers, cut commercials, make press kits
for artist, devise marketing strategies, shoot, edit, and promote musical
videos. I engineer my own tracks. I produced as well. I compose the track
titled "Black man in a Black car" which is on the Cornbread album. I
do photo shoots for models and media coverage for events.
What else would you like people to know about
you?
I would like the people know that, I am a real live person who
loves to make music. I am not a liar, nor a thief. I am building
this empire from the ground up with a heart of gold. I dedicated
to the prosperity of the youth and my culture. Even if I was not making music I
still would be doing things like food drives and other charitable events. It
should not be people in this country starving, that's willing to work. I
appreciate all the support from the people from everywhere. I have fans in
Africa that want IKE ELLIS t shirts right now.
Is there anything else you would like to plug?
Any shout outs?
I want to shout out my team 100 Grand Ent, My mother for all the
food she cooked me thru the making of this album, Tiffany Jones for the support
and belief when everybody forgot about me. I want to shout out UDC
entertainment, the whole Pender county, and anybody and everybody who was
instrumental in the career of IKE ELLIS.
Follow Ike Ellis on
Twitter @IkeEllisWill
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