Born in Queens, New York and raised in a very small town in South Georgia by John Eley and Keisha Williams, rapper, singer, songwriter and recording artist Jonathon Eley was a star in the making. A family legacy of gifted musicians, it was no surprise that Jonathon developed a passion for it as well. At just 14, he played the drums, piano and a variety of instruments he "could get his hands on".
"I first found my love for rap when I began creating beats. But my father told me that if I really wanted to produce music, I'd have to learn more than just the drums. So, I did! In just six months, I taught myself how to play the piano! I also tried to learn as much as I could about other instruments so that I could create new beats." His hard work paid off when he was only 19 years old. "I'm a big Macklemore fan and one of my beats was picked up by Ryan Lewis for a beat battle. I was so blown away and excited by it, but then I actually won! That experience really made me want to buckle down and take my music career even more serious. It inspired me to really push myself to the next level."
Soon after, Jonathon was being interviewed by different platforms like the Grammy's, Rolling Stone and Star Magazine, further fueling his ambitions. But things were about to change for the young rapper.
After moving to LA at just 25 years old, Jonathon began to struggle and go through some hard times.
"You hear about LA and how hard it can be to make it out there, but you never really know until you get there. I struggled a lot and at times it got really really dark. It's not just about being a black man, but also getting into the industry is even harder."
These tough experiences were used as creative inspiration for his latest album, "America 25". A piece of art that embodies his trials and triumphs during this time.
"I just want people to be aware of what's really out there. The first step to making a change is awareness, and I think it's important for people to know."
With his hardships, there have also been victories. He sold out his hometown show in Atlanta at the Hard Rock Cafe while releasing his album, sparking conversation about real issues in the world today!
Jonathon Eley is determined, dedicated and extremely talented and we are so excited to see where his journey takes him.
"I just want to say thank you so much to my family, friends and fans for all the love and support you have shown me. Anyone who just takes the time to care, thank you! I'm going to keep working hard and I'm really excited for this new music. I really can't wait to share it!" ~Jonathon Eley
