Singer, songwriter and musician Elijah Sky debuted his first solo album, Heart Over Hype, in September 2018, and the star has been on the rise ever since.
How has your family legacy influenced you?
My family has been in the music industry in Hawai‘i for over 150 years. My grandmother Irmgard Farden Aluli is in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Always being around music and listening to it had an impact on me. I picked it up and learned some ukulele and guitar, and that turned into learning that I liked to write words and pair them with songs.
What most inspires the songs you to write?
My music is a message of love and aloha. A huge drive for me is rejoicing in the good things about life—the ocean, the mountains, family—and the fact that we get to live every day.
Why reggae music in particular?
I grew up listening to all different genres—rap, hip-hop, jazz, rock—but I always choose reggae because it’s the most uplifting, easygoing, positive music, and, ultimately, it’s my favorite genre.
You’ve had quite the year since your album debuted! What has been the highlight?
I got nominated for reggae album of the year at the 2019 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. I also got so much great feedback and personal messages from people across the world saying that the music is uplifting. That’s really the ultimate goal: to make a positive impact on people.
What’s on the horizon for you?
I’m now on a new journey to create my second album, which we are planning on putting out at the end of the year.
Photography by: IJfke Ridgley
