EKELE

Story

I am EKELE DALA (EH-KEL-LAY DOLLA) Congo Nigerian, NJ based rap musician and creative artist. Learning and mastering all my skill sets. Sat on my dreams to long. Here to network with others who are serious about making music, touring, a music career, and may still be learning and are early in the journeys like me. Enjoy the process. Ekele Dala ĔKĔLEː DÄLÄ ™️ ????

Profile

• Musician
• Rapper
• Creative
• An Independent Creative Entrepreneur
• Creative Director
• Lyricist
• Aspirational
• Rap Nerd
• Music Geek
• Future World Tourer
• Dreamer
• Motivater
• Singer-songwriter
• Spoken Word Artist
• Poet
• Performer
• Comedian/storyteller

Instruments

• Vocals
• Keyboard

Genres

• African Music
• Rap Hiphop
• World Music
• R&b And Soul
• Pop
• Psychedelic
• Alternative
• Punk
• New Wave
• Classical

Influences

• Kanye West
• Jay-z
• Beatles
• Lil Wayne
• Sade
• Jay Electronica
• Eminem
• Michael Jackson
• J Cole
• Nirvana
• Theb52s
• Vampireweekend
• Paramore
• Korn
• Limp Bizkit

Equipment

• Iphone
• Macbook Air
• Smart Tv
• Beats By Dre

Languages

• English

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Life, energy, friends, community, a wife and family one day, means to live life, stage to perform, cure for any ailment, purpose, cure for war/sickness/trouble.

What is your music dream?

Touring the world. Being a legend, meeting my hero’s. Becoming a hero to kids and others. Healing and loving and improving the world and the continent my ancestors were stolen from, African.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Loving my self always in the most flagrant loud way.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Hard Knock life by Jay Z or Sunshine by him. Maybe Hypnotize or Mo Money mo problems by Biggie Smalls.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Kanye West, Jay Z, TI, Lil Wayne, Logic, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Taylor Swift, Sade, Prince, Jay Electronica, Bananarama, Paramour, Korn, B52s, Beatles, Talking Heads, REM, Nirvana, RHCP, System of A Down, The Roots, Run the Jewels

What inspires you to make music?

Emotion and a cure for pain. Therapy and therapy for others or support for others. Kanye West is and will always be that for me. His music saved and changed my life. Don’t agree w the red hat though.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Healing, radical self love, balance. No limits. Virtue. Knowledge of self.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Untouchable. At home, my happy place. Where I belong. Euphoric.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

Blurred lines. Who’s a fantasy based artist who is not? Who explains the consequences of constantly listening and digesting this music? It is irresponsible to make an artistic statement and not explain to impressionable kids and people who go to the lengths of killing other people to prove a point. The strength of music must be cultivated and cared for. If the artist says jump off a bridge the kids will do it. We gotta be responsible.

What do you think of Drooble?

Loving it so far. Wish I could have had African phonetics in my name but it is what it is. Hopeful to connect w other rap and music newbies w potential and blackout focus.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

Being a self taught musician. Learning to enjoy the journey. Positive vibes only.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Yes, going to events and gatherings. Paying hard earned money to be a part of a legendary high life event.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Tenacity, confidence, self love, knowledge of self.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Lecrae, Aha Gazelle, Bizzle, Gemstones, Bree Kay & Kari, KB, Reach Records, Humble Beast, Kidd, Asaiah Ziv

• wall
• videos
• photos
• songs