Tune-In Tuesdays #8: Self Expression, Fake Love, and Performing with Supreme Elijahwon

By: burgundy bug

• 

Supreme Elijahwon at Saxby’s

Source: Supreme Elijahwon at Saxby’s | Penelope Peru Photography P³

“The King of Shillington (PA),” Supreme Elijahwon is a local rap-artist who has made a name for himself performing at West Chester University (WCU)’s Open Mic Nights.

Recently, Supreme Elijahwon and I sat down at Saxby’s to discuss his experiences performing and what’s next for him as an artist.

What inspired you to start making your own music? Who would you say are your driving forces?

I started making music around my sophomore year of high school because my friends and I were freestylin’.

Eventually, it got to a point where we started making our own songs, writing our own lyrics, and making our own beats.

It just started to turn into something serious.

• 

Supreme Elijahwon in NO CONCEPT ENTERTAINMENT

Source: Supreme Elijahwon | Twitter

What does your process look like? Do you play any instruments or handle any of the production?

No.

I want to learn how to [produce and play instruments] but I currently focus on write my own lyrics and let my friends worry about the beats. Sometimes I’ll find someone and buy their beats.

It’s different every time. Most of the time, it’s usually myself. I’ll record it and master the vocals.

Sometimes I go to my friend’s house where he his own set up, or I’ll go to an actual studio and work with an engineer.

You have performed at both the WCU Open Mic Night in Dec, as well as the Open Mic Night in the beginning of Feb. Had you ever performed live before and do you plan on performing at more venues in the future?

Supreme Elijahwon performing at WCU’s first Open Mic Night at Saxby’s

Source: Supreme Elijahwon WCU Open Mic Night | Penelope Peru Photography | P³

I’d performed at some open mic in Philly and I just bombed it.

I did so bad ‘cause it was with a live band and I wasn’t prepared for all that.

I wanted everything to be perfect for my first performance. I thought about all these cool skits I could do, ad libs. Stuff to make it more fun and interactive, but it just didn’t work out too well.

When I came to the first open mic here at Saxby’s, I think I did very well. I liked it a lot, so it brought me my confidence back.

I’ve also met a lot of people just from coming here. It’s definitely a good experience.

I want to do my own shows and stuff, though. That’s the plan for this year.

Have you collaborated with anyone you’ve met at WCU so far?

Not yet, but there are a few things in the works. I’m still talking to people, working out the details and stuff.

There will be something soon.

What advice would you give to someone who’s never performed live before?

Don’t overthink it. Just go there and do what you have to do.

Don’t try to plan ahead because something unexpected could happen. You really can’t prepare for things like that, so just have fun with it.

• 

Supreme Elijahwon

Source: Supreme Elijahwon | Spotify

What do you find most fulfilling about making music?

I’m not really a big talker. I don’t talk to that many people or have that many friends, so when I write my music, that’s my time to just say whatever I want to say.

If whoever listens to it likes the music and relate to it, that’s just a bonus for me.

What have you learned from your experiences in the music industry?

• 

Supreme Elijahwon

Source: Supreme Elijahwon | Instagram

There’s a lot of fake love, not a lot of honesty in it.

People will just tell you what you want to hear sometimes, or they won’t even give you the chance to really listen and understand your music.

There’s so much music being made every day and so many artists just popping up, you don’t really get that full exposure that you really want. It takes a long time to really build a fan base, I’d say.

It’s kind of difficult, but it makes it fun because you have to really be good and really want it to make it as a musician.

What would you say is the best way to build your fanbase and expand your reach?

Social media, of course.

You have to have your own book, your own beliefs, a sound, and stand with it. That’s how you attract people who relate to you and they’ll support your music more.

How do you hope to impact your listeners – and perhaps even the whole world – through your work?

I just make music for me, basically. Whoever likes it, likes it – and that’s great.

• 

Supreme Elijahwon

Source: Supreme Elijahwon | Instagram

That being said, don’t let people tell you what should make you happy. Just do whatever you like.

At the end of the day it’s your work and your name you’re putting on the line. Just make sure you believe in yourself.

Do you have any overall career goals as a musician?

It used to be my goal to win a Grammy.

After watching the Grammy’s this year and seeing all that go down, it’s not really worth winning. To get up there and be nominated would be great, because then you’ve really made it, obviously.

Goal wise? I just want to be in music history for something, leave my mark somewhere, however that may be.

What’s next for Supreme Elijahwon? Are you currently working on any music?

I am.

I want to drop an EP sometime this year. Probably six or seven songs that would be available on all streaming platforms. That’s really what I’m working on now.

That, and trying to perform somewhere.

• 

Supreme Elijahwon

Source: Supreme Elijahwon | Instagram

Do you have any final thoughts or additional comments you would like to add?

It’s important to me to just be real with myself and everybody else.

For new people that have never heard me before, I have over 40 songs and features on SoundCloud dating back to high school. I listen to them all the time ‘cause I can hear my confidence growing.

Supreme Elijahwon’s latest single, Keep it Pimpin’

Source: Keep it Pimpin’ (prod. Xtravulous) | Supreme Elijahwon

With that, I’d say never give up, ’cause I never do.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here today.

• 

Supreme Elijahwon at Saxby’s

Source: Supreme Elijahwon at Saxby’s | Penelope Peru Photography P³

---

Give Supreme Elijahwon a listen on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Don’t forget to follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to keep up with his latest work!

Interested in having content featured in an upcoming blog post or issue of The Burgundy Zine? Head on over to the submissions page!

For all other inquiries, please fulfill a contact form.