Elom Adablah (born 28 June 1989),[1] better known by his stage name E.L, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician, rapper, singer and producer.[2]
E.L | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Elom Adablah |
| Born | 28 June 1989[1] Dansoman, Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Hiplife, Azonto, Afropop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, rapper, singer, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard, sampler |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Skillions Records, BBnZ Live |
E.L's singles include "Obuu Mo", "Kaalu", "One Ghana", "Auntie Martha",[3] "Shelele", "Mi Naa Bo Po", "Koko" and "KaaBuAme", "See me Sometime", "Abaa" and "Pay Like a Boss". His debut album was Something Else (2012).[4] E.L released a mixtape he calls The BAR (Best African Rapper) and in 2017, he released the fourth one called BAR IV.
He won Artiste of the Year and Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year at the 2015/2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.[5]
Early life
editE.L grew up in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra. He first attended St. Martin De Porres School in Dansoman and later transferred to Jack and Jill School in Roman Ridge where he completed his Junior Secondary School education. He then gained admission into Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, where he discovered music. After secondary school, he pursued a degree in economics and political science at the University of Ghana, Legon.[6][7][8]
Personal life
editE.L. is currently single and has no children. His networth is estimated to be $700,000.[9]
Music career
edit2008: Music beginnings
editDuring his first year in the university, E.L. signed to Jayso's Skillions Records[10] and helped Jayso co-produce the Skillionaires Demotape. However, after graduating from university, the Skillions broke up and E.L. became a solo artist. He acquired a studio in Asylum Down and began working on a new mixtape. He went as far as releasing a single, "Chale (So Fli)", with Jay Foley, Wolf and Kwaku T (remix). However, the mixtape was never released. E.L. relocated to a better studio in Osu, and invested all his available funds in acquiring equipment.[11]
2009–2012: Something Else
editEL got signed to BBnZ Live[12] His debut double album, Something Else, was released on 1st June 2012 by Akwaaba Music, and is a blend of different varieties of music inspired from various sources.
2014: The B.A.R Mixtape
editE.L. released The Best African Rapper album, shortened as The B.A.R on 20th May 2014. It featured Ayigbe Edem, Sarkodie, Joey B, C-Real, Gemini, Telvin, Frozen, Lil Shaker, Stargo, P. K. and Dex Kwasi.[13][14]
2015: B.A.R 2
editE.L. announced he was working on B.A.R 2, releasing the cover art and later releasing three songs "All Black", "State of the Nation" and "King Without A Crown".[15] On 29 August 2015, he followed up with the B.A.R 2 Concert featuring Wanlov, Ko-Jo Cue, DJ Mic Smith and more.[16][17]
2016: Elom
editE.L. released his second studio album entitled Elom (Everybody loves original music). The album included singles "Mi Naa Bo Po", "Watch The Way You Dey Waka" and "Nkrumah Pt. 2" featuring Obrafour.[18]
On 15 April 2016 Lauryn Hill headlined a concert dubbed Ms. Lauryn Hill Presents Diaspora Calling! in association with Tidal at Kings Theater, the concert was intended to celebrate the rich tapestry of artists from African Diaspora and included E.L and Stonebwoy[19] from Ghana, also Wondaboy and Mr. Eazi from Nigeria.
2017: B.A.R 4
editThe success of the previous installment of the B.A.R franchise saw the birth of another mixtape. This featured established rappers and also included rising rappers such as Teephlow, Kojo-Cue, and Medikal. One notable track on the album is "Nina", which is a song about a psychopathic groupie. Other hard core rap songs as "Change", "Superstar", and "Lalafalama" were also lauded; as was "Bars".[20]
2018: B.A.R V
editE.L. released his fifth studio album titled BAR V (stylised as BVR), a 15 track album. It included rap singles like "Nobody", "The Greatest", and "Thinkin'." E.L. featured Nigerian artiste, Falz, and Ghanaian acts Akan and Bryan The Mensah.
2019: The Linkop - E.L. & AI
editThis was a joint album with another Ghanaian musician, Ayisi - AI. This was the first time E.L. released a joint album. However, this was the second notable joint album to be released in Ghana, with Sarkodie (rapper) and Jayso's TMG being the first. The Linkop album came to be after the excellent chemistry generated from their collaboration on the "Adwuma" song. This album has seven tracks ranging from Afrobeats to Dancehall and Reggae fusion. One track which seems to appeal to the masses is "For 2".[21]
2020: Songs For Girls 3 EP
editThis featured seven songs of different genres. The award-winning rapper took the new decade in a whole different mode.[22]
2020: Leaks1
editThe beginning of the new decade saw E.L. drop a series of projects – few singles and two different tapes; the first of which was Leaks1. This featured talented rappers even as they were not well-known. One of such rappers is Yung Pabi whom he featured on the song titled Respect. This album had three songs.[23]
2020: Leaks2
editJust as the previous tape before this, it had three tracks. Interesting tracks as they are, some industry pundits/critics labelled as masterpieces. Most prominent track was Track 3 - J.J. Rawlings which featured friend and frequent collaborator Gemini Orleans.[24]
Notable productions
editEL has produced songs for many hip hop, hiplife and R&B performers, such as:
- Sarkodie ("You Go Kill Me", "Dangerous") in collaboration with krynk man
- Keche ("Sokode") in collaboration with krynk man
- D-Black ("Get On the Dancefloor")
- D-Black ft D Cryme("Change your life")
- Donaeo Ft E.L ("Life Saver")
- T Blaze ("Aso wo ha")
- C-Real ft E.L ("Weytin De Happen") (sexy mama)
- C-Real ft E.L ("Do the Azonto")
- Lighter ft Promzy of VIP and E.L ("Fear of my Life")
- Scientific ft Sarkodie and E.L ("I Like You Girl")
- J Town ft D Cyrme and E.L ("Party Alhaji")
- Sala ft E.L ("Only You")
- Samini ("Too Bad")
- Edem ("Wey tin")
- Efya ft E.L ("Heartbeat")
- Efya ft Mugeez ("Ooh Ooh Ooh")
- Reggie Rockstone ("Rockstone's Office"), Asem ("Check Your Weight"), Geelex ("Bend Your Body") and many more.[25]
- Joey B ft E.L ("Wow").[26]
- E.L Ft. DopeNation – Ayeyi (Prod. By PeeOnTheBeatz)[27]
- E.L – Vim Yaazo (Prod. by E.L)[28]
- E.L – Joy (Prod. by Kuzie x E.L)[29]
Discography
edit- Studio Albums
- Something Else (2012)
- ELOM (2016)
- B.A.R. 3: The Lomi Era (2016)
- B.A.R 4 (2017)
- BVR (2018)
- Mixtapes
- Project Hip Hop (with C-Real) (2011)
- Songs for Girls-the Valentines Day Mixtape (2012)
- The B.A.R. (2014)[30]
- Project Hip Hop 2 (with C-Real) (2015)
- B.A.R. 2 (2015)
- B.A.R. 3 (2016)
- Songs for Girls Vol. 1
- Songs for Girls Vol. 2
- Others
- Another Rainy Day
- Empty Barrels
- Find A Way
- Getting it Fast
- Move On
- My Addiction
- Pick up
- Don Dada ft [Ayigbe Edem] and Telvin
Singles
edit- One Ghana- August 2011
- Obuu Mo- September 2011
- Ma Me Wassop- December 2011
- Turn the Lights Down- December 2011
- Lifesaver ft Donaeo- January 2012
- The Botos Song ft (N-Dex & J-Town)- February 2012
- Nigg*s in Accra (Azonto RMX) ft C-Real & Stargo- April 2012
- The ChO.sen ft (Manifest, D-Black & Sarkodie)- October 2012
- Hallelujah ft (M.anifest)- December 2012
- No Size- December 2013
- See Me Suffer ft (Shaker)- October 2013
- Ayayaa- March 2014
- My Friend- April 2014
- Boorle- September 2014
- Sister Araba- December 2014
- Agbadza- December 2014
- State of the Nation Address- March 2015
- Shelele- March 2015
- Egbefia- April 2015
- Mi Naa Bo Po- August 2015
- Koko- November 2015
- Pour Put Inside- December 2015
- Fire Cant Cool- May 2016
- Portray Dey Be- December 2015
- Kaa Bu Ame- June 2016
- Lalafalama- September 2016
- Fefeefe- November 2017
- Agbo- February 2017
- Eliens Anthem- March 2017
- Explain-March 2017
- Pay like a Boss-September 2017
- Overdose-October 2017
- Joy-February 2018
- Wosa ft Joey B-June 2018 (Produced by Pee GH)
- FWY-May 2018
- Efa Wo Ho Ben December-2-2019
- Baba Dey 2021[31]
Videography
edit| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lalafalama | Pascal AKA |
| Year | Title | Director |
| 2016 | Fefeefe | XBILLZ |
| Year | Title | Director |
| 2017 | See Me Sometime | N/A |
| Year | Title | Director |
| 2017 | Mi Naa Bo Po | Phamous Philms |
| Year | Title | Director |
| 2017 | Abaa | Phamous Philms |
| Year | Title | Director |
| 2017 | See Me Sometime | WOWA |
Awards and nominations
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2018) |
- 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards:Best Original Soundtrack 'A sting in a tale'
- 2010 Ghana Movie Awards: Best Score Award, Checkmate And more
- 2011 Ghana Music Awards: Hip-hop Song of the Year award, "Get On the Dance Floor", Producer
- 2012/2013 Ghana Music Awards Album of the Year
- 2015/2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Hip-life/Hip-hop Artiste of the year
- 2015/2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year
- 2016 Ghana Music Awards UK Artiste of the Year
- 2015/2016 Ghana Music Awards Producer Of the Year
- 2015/2016 Ghana Music Awards Afro pop song Of the Year
- 2016/2017 Ghana Music Awards Afro Pop Song Of The Year (Kaa Bu Ame)
- 2017 Ghana Entertainment Awards - USA Best Album (BAR 3)
- 2017 4SYTE MVA BEST EDITED VIDEO
Video awards
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2019) |
- 2013 MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Photography
- 2014 MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Storyline
- 2015 MTN 4Syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Edited Video and Best special effect
- 2015/2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Music Video of the Year(Shelele)
Nominations
edit- 2012 Ghana Music Awards: Best New Artist, Best Rapper, Best Collaboration ("You Go Kill Me" with Sarkodie)[32]
- 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards: Best Newcomer ("Turn The Lights Down")[33]
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 – Listener's Choice
References
edit- ^ a b "A wonderful birthday to Elom Adablah!". ghanacelebrations.com. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Owusu, Clifford (18 August 2011). "E.LBiography". Ghanamusic. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "E.L – Auntie Martha (Audio) | REWIND". Bongo Exclusive. 8 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ "Audio: E.L. 'Something ELse'". Okayafrica. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ Adogla-Bessa, Delali (8 May 2016). "#VGMAs2016: EL wins Artiste of the Year". Citifmonline. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ "13 Successful Ghanaians Who Went To Presec – Legon". OMGGhana. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "E.L, Others To Rock Torch And Bonfire Night @ PRESEC – Daily Guide Ghana". DailyGuideGhana. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "E.L Makes Legon Student Go Crazy On Stage". OMGGhana. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "E.L".
- ^ "All You Need To Know About Jayso And Skillions Record". OMGGhana. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Get Familiar: Skillions Records then and now!!!". AmeyawDebrah. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "BBnZ Live EL page". Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ "E.L - BAR Mixtape - Urbanroll". Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ "E.L. Presents B.A.R. (Best African Rapper) Mixtape". Loud Sound Ghana. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "EnterGhana – Everything Ghanaian and more". EnterGhana. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ ""B.A.R 2": E.L reveals track list for upcoming mixtape – Music – Pulse". Pulse Ghana. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "E.L. – BAR 2 | Urbanroll". Urbanroll. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "E.L Set To Release New Album "ELOM"". DisturbingGH. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Stonebwoy – Loyalty (Prod. By Prinxonthebeat)". Vibehubs. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "E.L - Bar 4". DCLeakers. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- ^ "E.L x A.I - the Linkop (Full Album)". DCLeakers. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
- ^ "Songs For Girls". DCLeakers. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "E.L. - Leaks 1 (Full Album)". DCLeakers. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "Full Album". DCLeakers. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Lebrave, Benjamin. "Lungu Lungu: E.L.'s Azonto Beats are Crazy Chale!". The Fader. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ Iwin, Benjamin. "Joey B – Wow ft E.L (Prod By B2)". Ghxclusive. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ "E.L Ft. DopeNation – Ayeyi (Prod. By PeeOnTheBeatz) | Ghpop.com". Ghpop.com. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "E.L – Vim Yaazo (Prod. by E.L) | Ghpop.com". Ghpop. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "E.L – Joy (Prod. by Kuzie x E.L) | Ghpop.com". Ghpop. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "E.L - BAR Mixtape - Urbanroll". Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ Agyei, Fredrick (12 February 2021). "E.L Release a New Song titled "Baba Dey"". Motion Blogger. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ Ghana Music Awards Official website Retrieved 26 September 2012
- ^ "Channel O Music Video Awards". Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
