American rapper Elijah Nathan Davis hails from Beaumont, Texas. After working as an audio engineer intern for several record labels, he made the decision to pursue his own artistic goals in 2018. He first became well-known as โELI PLMโ on Twitter for showcasing popular music videos. He made the decision to alter his name in 2020 and has been growing in fame ever since.
Rich is the name of the lead single from ELI MONTANNAโs fourth album, High As Heaven. Native (@beatsbynative) is the producer. Gaza (@Gazadondada) and ELI MONTANNA, 50 (@gasway50), were in charge of directing the music video. In the video, ELI MONTANNA can be seen walking around his neighborhood and reflecting on his interactions with his people as well as outlining the future he sees for them. When ELI MONTANNA is asked at the end of the film what he personally means by the word โwealthy,โ he responds with a description that goes beyond what is typically considered.
Music may motivate people and help them get through the day in the current situation of the world. No matter how many people ELI inspires, he wants them to know that theyโre not alone in any struggles they may be facing. He intends to do this through this song. Check out the song and the exclusive interview with him below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
ELI MONTANNA: I was born in Beaumont, Texas โ about an hour and a half away from Houston. My music career got started when I got hurt playing football in high school. I decided to step away and ask God what he really wanted me to do. One Sunday, a close friend of mine at the time invited me to attend his church with him in Louisiana. At the end of the service, a lady called me up and described her vision of me making it big in music โ that people around the world would listen. She said that this was Godโs gift to me. Iโve been pursuing music ever since.
2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โELI MONTANNAโ?
ELI MONTANNA: My influences are Wayne, Chris Brown, Lecrae, Andre 3000, Drake, Jon Bellion, and Praise & Worship music. The name โELI MONTANNAโ because I feel relentless in everything I do โ like Tony Montana from the movie Scarface. I just added the extra โnโ in my name to be different.
3. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
ELI MONTANNA: I love both, but I prefer the studio/home environment because itโs more of my element. I feel more comfortable talking about certain things in that setting. I love the live audience though. Itโs a part of artistry. But Iโm an introverted person, and I like to draw from the inspiration that comes from within.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
ELI MONTANNA: I think my melodies and flows pull people in. I would describe my sound as captivating โ I just want to make something relatable to the listeners.
ELI MONTANNA:
Although my songs do have meaning, I really want people to interpret it in their own way. I want my music to be relatable, so my listeners taking the sound and applying it to their own lives is always the goal.
6. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
ELI MONTANNA:
Iโm just interested in the purity of it all. I try not to focus on topics and subjects that everyone else is engaging in. In my opinion, doing whatโs โtrendingโ never lasts as long, and I just want to be original as possible. Iโm very aware of things that are going on in the world of course, but Iโm mainly interested in making my music an expression of my life.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
ELI MONTANNA:
In my eyes, everythingโs aligning. I feel like the music is giving back considering Iโve reached a lot of people and achieved high numbers as an independent artist. I believe that if I just keep working and applying pressure, it will all work out for me in the end. I just want to stay consistent. Thatโs my biggest thing
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
ELI MONTANNA:
Usually, I donโt collaborate with others during my process, but Iโm very open to opinions. My recording process consists of loading up the beat and immersing myself in it โ I tend to vibe to it for quite a while. Iโll most likely start with cadences first, so I can get the flow of the song Iโm envisioning. Those cadences are then shaped into words. I rarely write my lyrics down because I feel it lessens the emotion behind the words.
9. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
ELI MONTANNA: Just staying true to myself and the vision that God gave me. I donโt want to sell out or be the next hot thing for the moment. I want to build my fanbase and community on integrity.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
ELI MONTANNA: The amount of connections Iโve made in the process. Like the saying goes, โyour gifts make room for youโ. Iโve met so many different people in the industry on this journey. Coming from a small town, thatโs not easy to do especially if you donโt have the resources. Also, the amount of people Iโve reached. Watching this turn from nothing to something has been a blessing.
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Photo credits: @gasway50