Some call ELU the Lenny Kravitz of RAP. We got a chance to sit down this hot new upcoming artist from North Carolina and get into his world
By Rob Wright for MyMusicMylife.com, June 2nd 2013
Q: Hi ELU. First, what is the meaning behind the name ELU?
ELU: The meaning behind ELU is really simple. It is my real name broken down. Eric Lucas. E from Eric and Lu is from Lucas. The real me! In some of my music I make reference to the LU part as a part of my personality because sometimes I can be a wild fire and lose-it! GeT GET! LOL but really ELU comes from Eric Lucas.
Q: I heard you were born in the Bronx, New York and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. What’s the music scene like in NC right now?
ELU: The music scene in Charlotte, NC is great. There are many talented artists here but we are not known for music, which makes it very hard for an artist to get out on national scale. And for some reason when an artist from here starts to climb the success ladder, someone in the city will kick them down because they feel like they should be above that person making real noise out here. But I think it’s going to change at some point and we can become a music power like ATL.
Q: What do you feel separates you from the rest of the artist in this industry?
ELU: I think what will separate me from others is the ability to blend different styles of music together naturally. A lot of hybrid artist have to force it to blend. I been on that tip for at least 8 to 10 years and it was never exposed ahead of its time. My music is Gemini. I call my music “Bi-polar” or “Awkward” because from song to song, you may get different feelings. It will have a smooth sound mixed with a rugged voice tone. Or a feel good sound mixed with pain and real feelings put together so all kinds of people can feel it naturally. Young,old, any race! International Angel lol!
Q: In 2007-2008 you headlined your own tour. Tell us how that all came about and what it was like.
ELU: That came about when I was sighed to Craig O Productions. Much love to him for having faith in me to put me on that platform. I learned a lot from this experience. It was a small scale tour but we operated like a major tour would. I toured the outer banks of North Carolina along the tourist beaches better known as the “OBX”. It was a great situation that helped me grow as an artist and made me understand how to put in work doing 4 shows in 5 nights on the regular. It was a crazy roller coaster and I enjoyed every minute of it. But it can get stressful when the money wasn’t right and you gave your all to your craft. Unfortunately, that had to come to an end because of business issues. But I thank Craig o again for putting me on that platform!!
Q: You also like to give back to the community and are involved with charity work. What are the charities you are involved with and why?
ELU: I have done shows for cancer awareness, cerebral poesy, widowed mothers, and my most recent was a benefit for the victims and families of the CT school shooting where all proceeds go the cause. I like helping to benefit people that are going thru a struggle because I have had my own struggles in life as well.
Q: How would you describe your musical style?
ELU: My style is Elu music. You can’t really put me in a box because my sound always gives you two different feelings at the same time. But I guess on the genre level, it’s a mix between hip hop, pop, and rock to say the least! I have been called the “Lenny Kravitz” of rap! Lol and I love it!! Elu.
Q: Tell me something that not many people know about you?
ELU: Hmmmmmm. I like to work on my music when everyone is sleeping, so that pretty much makes me a vampire, which is common for a lot of artist. Lol. I can be a real picky eater. I love pasta and scrimp and salad! Sometimes I can be really shy until I hit that stage (Weird). I have a watch and glasses fetish. Lol. I love all kinds of music! I could party with the rednecks, nerds, dope boys; other races and fit in just fine and that side comes out in my music. ELU.
Q: You have two upcoming singles “Say Yea” and “Outtahere”. What’s the concept behind these two tracks?
ELU: Say Yea- This song is some feel good music. That’s Elu music. Going and having a good time, and everything going right for the night “if ya know what I mean” lol. I reach all audiences because it has pop tropical sound to it and that makes you to want to put ya top back and ride into the sunset! “All she got to do is say yesss”. That line speaks for itself! Lol
Outta here- This song shows a lot about the real me. Fun music! Clubby music, feel good music, and it also shows how bi-polar I can get when creating music! I switched the flow and sound all together on this song. This song is for show time Las Vegas/Miami style music all the way! All different types of people can vibe to it just like the other song “Say Yea”. Be on the lookout for my other single called “Heart Ach” featuring J Spears. It has an alternative rock hip hop feel to. It’s on reverbnation.com. Search “Elu outtahere” or google elu outtahere to hear music or get more info.
Q: Who are you working with on your upcoming projects?
ELU: Right now my focus is getting my material out on an international level and after the results draw the right attention, I got a list of icons that is going to be on a classic mike Jackson rock pop hip hop vibe. Stay tuned. But on the material out now, K Figgs is the producer that has helped make my sound. He is one of the greats that have not been put on the level he deserves yet. But he will be. Watch out world! Here we come!
Q: What’s the three year plan for ELU?
ELU: My plan is to be an international artist and get my other business ventures off the ground, from revenue generated thru music. (Eye) Glasses line, jeans line, real estate, barber shop, and possibly a state of the art virtual studio, etc. l can’t give all my ideas away. But business is in the picture. I can’t rap forever ,lol.
Q: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at MyMusicMyLife.com. Where can people find out more about the ELU such as shows, videos, or hear your music?
ELU: You can go to Reverbnation.com. Search “elu outtahere” and get your Elu outtahere tee shirt and/or check the music out. Check out the youtube.com channel “Elu outtahere”. Follow me on twitter @Elumuzik… Facebook Eric J Lucas.. Gmail-eluouttahere@gmail.com
Elu outtahere web site will be up soon(under construction). For tickets for the upcoming show on June 9th,9 pm, at the Evening Muse, Charlotte, NC. Go to www.Aftonshows.com to get tixs or you can purchase at the door. For booking- contact manager-Felicia-704-607-0644 or Elu Outtahere hotline-704-605-6445 Thanks for your time!
My slogan is “Please forgive me for being Different” and you will be able to keep track of everything I have going on at any given time via any of these sites.
