EliasAli

Baltimore

I am not the typical singer, rapper, and songwriter. I love to explore the spiritual and the street. The romantic and the political. The full human experience. My lyrics and life are full of contradictions and juxtapositions that blend into a unique sound with a vast array of musical influences. I am informed by my experiences as a Bronx born and Baltimore raised Puerto Rican from a working class family. My lyrical influences include Zack de la Rocha of Rage against the machine, Tupac Shakur from tracks like ‘Changes,” Bob Marley’s pan-africanism, Caribbean mysticism and island romance as well as some gospel influences like Kirk Franklin. This is the basis for my ececticism. I truly still absolutely love music. I don’t claim to be as good as any of these artists but they are a part of my musical DNA. Although I am no Rasta and no Christian reggae and gospel and soul are always in my ears. Although I’m no guitarist I still worship the solos on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Since I Been Lovin you.’