Vibing with Singer/Songwriter "The Elle"

Jacklyn Jones
Jan 22, 2016
4 min read

We had a chance to meet the lovely "The Elle". This extroidinary artist is making her mark in music with her unique style. LeVotre Ezine caught up with the artist in an exclusive interview and this is what she share with us.

LV: When I firt heard your music I thought it

was refreshing as you have a unique sound.

The Elle: Thank you!

LV: How would you describe your type of music?

The Elle: I consider it hip-hop soul/r&b with a celestial

vibe. A lot of my songs have a dreamy quality to them.

LV: I understand you are originally from Minnesota but now live in Chicago, who were some of your

influences growing up?

The Elle: We mostly listened to R&B in the household with some Tupac tossed in there. My mom loved

Mary J Blige, The Gap Band, Gerald Levert and SWV. I

really loved Mariah Carey, Aaliyah,

Missy Elliot and pretty much any singing group that

was hot at the time. I think a lot of what

influences me now was music that I didn't listen to growing up though. I'm super into 70s/80s

soul music and golden era hip hop, those have had an impact on my artistry just as much.

LV: You are a young and talented artist, when did you first realize that you wanted to sing and write

your own music?

The Elle: I can't remember an exact moment but I knew when I was a kid I wanted to be a singer, it was

this big secret dream I had but being from Minnesota I quickly learned it was unrealistic or

least I was taught to believe it was. I sung and recited poems in talent shows and was in the

school choir and such but it wasn't necessarily a pursuit. I didn't actually begin to pursue

music seriously until I was about 23 when someone told me I was gifted and wasn't using the

gifts that God gave me.

LV: Where was your first live performance and how did you feel about it?

The Elle: When I was in the 5th grade, I performed "I turn To You" by Christina Aguilera for a school

talent show. I don't have any major memories about the experience other than feeling like I

accomplished something by going on stage and putting myself out there like that. It wasn't

necessarily easy to do that when you're in your awkward pre-teen phase of life.

LV: If there was one artist that you could do a collabortion with who would that person be and why?

The Elle: Missy Elliot. You're not one of the greats until you've collaborated with Missy on something.

LV: I see that you are rocking your natural hair, which by the way is beautiful and healthy. Do you

have a special product to keep it that way?

The Elle: Currently I'm all about protective styles because I have a super busy schedule and hair care

requires time that I really don't have. Box braids, crochet braids, marley twists and all of that

are great for someone like me. I love the Shea Moisture brand their Jamaican Black Castor oil

deep conditoner is a godsend. Also, aloe vera juice is one of my favorite things to use. General

hair care advice would be to keep your strands moisturized and your scalp clean.

LV: What advice can you give to young ladies like yourself looking to fulfill their dream in music?

The Elle: In regards to chasing your dreams I would just say be mindful of your intent and why you're doing it. You have to be in this because you love it because there is so much sacrifice and rejection to

endure when you decide to be an artist. More importantly, don't give anybody the agency to

discourage you from doing what you're passionate about-- be willing to believe in yourself

more than anyone else around you does. The struggle of pushing through is always going to be

better than the alternative of giving up and never knowing what you were truly made of.

LV: What is a typical day like for you? Do you have other interest besides your music?

The Elle: It consists of lots of working and trying to find ways to squeeze in creating whenever I have a

free moment. The balance between having a regular job and being an artist has it's challenges,

I think I'm doing okay though. Aside from music I'm really into art, I love galleries and museums. I'm getting more into films and things of that nature. I'm mostly introverted so I spend the majority of my free time chillin alone and creating or consuming other people's creations.

LV: Do you have any upcoming projects you want to share with us?

The Elle: Yes! I have an album coming out soon. It's finished, more details on it to come - kind of want

to keep it a surprise until I'm ready to unleash it all.

LV: What country would you like to visit that you have not visited yet?

The Elle: So many! I have a lot of international traveling I'd like to do. I'd really like to get an ancestry

DNA test and find out which African countries I descend from and visit them.

LV: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

The Elle: Not really sure. I try not to focus so much on where I'd like to be. I'm more about setting short

term goals and just being fluid and going with shit. Mostly I hope to be able to pay my bills by

doing what I love for a living-- anything else I'm flexible on.

LV: Describe your personality using one word?

The Elle: Vibrant.