YouKnowIGotSoul caught up with up and coming artist Elise 5000 to discuss her path to becoming an artist, her EP that she has currently for sale on ITunes, her cover of Aaliyah’s “One in a Million,” and the next album she’s working on.
YouKnowIGotSoul: Let’s start at the beginning, I read in your bio that you wrote your first song at the age of 8, what do you remember about this and what song was it?
Elise 5000: It was a Christmas song and I wrote it in my music class because I was so bored. We were learning how to clap on beat and I thought that was the dumbest thing to learn because I was born clapping on beat! So anyway, it was a cute little Christmas song that had a big band melody! It reminded me of a Broadway show or something.
YouKnowIGotSoul: Who would you say your music influences were early on?
Elise 5000: SWV, Jodeci, Aaliyah, TLC, BBD. Those were my early influences! Those were the artists I liked most. I went out and spent my allowance on their albums [tapes].
YouKnowIGotSoul: Eventually you landed a writing, recording and production deal with an independent label at the age of 17. How were you discovered?
Elise 5000: One of my high-school friends’ Mom worked at Geico with a guy that was starting up a label and he was looking for a girl group and she asked me and I accepted! It was fun while it lasted!
YouKnowIGotSoul: How were you able to focus on completing your college degree even though you were already signed and had a career in the industry in mind?
Elise 5000: I quit that label by the time I entered University. So It was easy because I wasn’t even trying to be an artist. I was a dancer for Morris Brown College “Bubblin Brown Sugar” But I quit that too! I don’t like people telling me what to do! I’m the boss of me!
YouKnowIGotSoul: How were you able to launch your own record label NoFunGirl Music Group?
Elise 5000: I just created it. It’s a must for every artist! And it’s not really functioning as a REAL label. It’s my thing and I’m signed to myself. No other artists involved. It’s really meant to be a not-for-profit organization…soon. I’m developing the ideas slowly now.
YouKnowIGotSoul: What do you hope to accomplish in starting this label?
Elise 5000: I basically want to be the boss of myself and use it as a platform to help others through the non-profit branch that I’m working on which will focus of self-esteem and overcoming abuse and negative thinking.
YouKnowIGotSoul: Tell me about your Essential Elise 5000 EP?
Elise 5000: It’s just a bunch of songs that I mostly wrote and produced. I figured I own all the songs so I can put it on iTunes if I want! So I did. It’s doing pretty well actually, I sold more records than I thought I would just by promoting on twitter. So I’m coming out with a part 2 soon! I’m excited about it! Hopefully I will be finished in 6 months. I have written, recorded, mixed, produced EVERYTHING and I know it will be even better than the first! Visit www.elise5000.com to purchase!!!
YouKnowIGotSoul: You collaborated with T-Pain on “Everybody Else.” How did this collaboration come about?
Elise 5000: I came across the record and put my 2 cents in! Secret Da Songwriter wrote my part and I’m really happy with the song. I think It’s cute!
YouKnowIGotSoul: I recently heard your cover of Aaliyah’s “One in a Million.” What made you decide to do a cover of this song?
Elise 5000: Just because I LOVE Aaliyah! I came across the instrumental and of course growing up that was like one of my favorite songs if not THE favorite song and I really wanted to sing it! It was for Aaliyah! I think she would like it!
YouKnowIGotSoul: I would classify your music as a mix of pop, r&b and hip hop music. What genre of music do you say you go for?
I say that It’s POP! It’s a mixture of mostly R&B but…it’s going to transform into a strange mixture that’s going to sound like either.
YouKnowIGotSoul: Who are some artists you’d like to work with in the future?
Elise 5000: T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Paramore, Ciera, Field Mob, Jodeci, BBD, Devante Swing, Missy, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Pastor Troy, Playa Fly….Just to name a few! That’s a great group of artists huh?