Singer-songwriter Elijah Rocq is anticipating new profession success when he drops his latest single There For You on all major streaming platforms later this fall.
The new single, described by the artiste as “dancehall Afro-soul- infused with elements of reggae”, is self-produced and was recorded with Atlanta-based Red Eye Media Studios.
In an era of female empowerment and greater appreciation for the importance of ladies in our personal lives and the broader society, Elijah Rocq believes the timing of the only is particularly significant.
“Well, I actually have all the time been a romantic at heart,” he said, “but although these lyrics speak very much about how a specific woman grabs my attention and literally blows my mind, I feel the song speaks to a wider appreciation of the feminine gender — their beauty, their strength, their mystery, and their ability to capture and hold our attention.”
The song marks the newest milestone on a musical journey that began several a long time ago growing up in his large family, first in Brooklyn, and subsequently in Jamaica, after his mother married his Jamaican stepfather and moved there when he was 10 years old.
His mother’s love for music, and her desire to share it together with her children, led to her giving them musical instruments and turning her family right into a band. Elijah would hearken to his mother sing while they played and decided at an early age that he would make singing his career.
“I can hardly remember a time when there wasn’t music playing in the home,” he recalls, “and I grew up listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, The Chi -lites, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Steel Pulse, simply to name just a few. When my family moved to Jamaica, we settled in a small district within the hills of St Ann. I can remember running around barefooted, catching fish, and fetching water and really appreciating the natural habitat of the land, where there have been all the time melodious sounds from the water, the wind, and the chirping birds. Those natural sounds brought sweet melodies to my ears and, in consequence of that, even today I compose my music psychologically.”
His love of singing led him to performances at hotels, family outings, weddings, and ultimately to the formation of his first music group, Access, with a few of his friends during his teenage years. Together with one other member of Access, he eventually formed the group Two Soul and, figuring out of UB40’s studio in Oracabessa, St Mary, they released two songs — Freedom and Kumbaya — of which he stays very proud.
An invite to affix the Black Male Band from Kingston led to a chance to sing on the 2006 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and, fortuitously, at National Heroes Park with the good Dean Fraser. It was then that he received the phone call that might ultimately alter the course of his life and profession.
“After seeing me perform with Dean Fraser, the leader of the band Live Wya called me and asked if I might join them as their lead vocalist. It could change into a life-changing opportunity, because after accepting their offer I toured all around the USA, Europe and Japan; literally seeing the world for the primary time. I had the honour of sharing the stage with legends reminiscent of Marcia Griffins, Sanchez, Buju Banton, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Sly & Robbie, and Gregory Isaacs, amongst others.
“Working with Gregory Isaacs was almost surreal, because I grew up hearing my mother play his music in our house, not knowing that in later years I might eventually meet him and really tour with him. And so I’ve all the time felt the necessity to pay respect and homage to my mother for her love of music, which essentially gave me my passion and my profession.”
Elijah Rocq went on to have some success as a solo artist, with songs reminiscent of We Must Go On, Guess You Didn’t Know and Tell Me What You Want, which was released last yr and distributed by VPAL.
He feels that the energy around There For You is different this time around.
“I just think this particular love song will really ring a bell with many individuals as an anthem of affection to women and a sort of healing balm to gender relations while chatting with what it means for girls to have the love and support of an incredible partner. We are only putting the ending touches on the only now and I am unable to wait to see the way it’s received within the near future. I actually do imagine it might be a serious success for me.”
