Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Jones.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a musical family. My grandfather was one of the original members of the Ohio Players, my dad made music, and my grandmother had jazz playing in the house every morning; I would just find myself surrounded by music. I started really studying sounds when I was 4, got deep into poetry at 7, and my love for art in every form helped me become the artist that I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I feel like my biggest struggle most recently has been creating content. I’m a very private person and trying to translate the the level of vulnerability I put in each piece of music into short form content has been excruciating for me. Outside of that, my other struggle is being so dedicated to my vision, that I get tunnel vision at times.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m OaklandHearts — artist, songwriter, producer, engineer, and creative director from East Oakland. At the core, I’m a storyteller.
My music blends R&B, Rap, Coast to Coast influence, and my real emotions. I make music about love, ego, heartbreak, lust, ambition, and all the messy things in between. I’m known for being vulnerable without losing my confidence.
What sets me apart is I don’t just make songs, I build worlds. I think about the visuals, the characters, the feeling, and the story behind everything I create.
I’m most proud that I learned how to bring my own ideas to life instead of waiting on somebody else to understand the vision.
OaklandHearts is really about making people feel seen. If you hear something I made and think, “I’ve felt that before,” I did my job.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. Find common interests with the people you’re talking to and really listen to them. People just want to be heard. Also, be real about your situation and keep the help you’re asking for intentional.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oaklandhearts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oaklandhearts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OaklandHeartsMusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/oaklandhearts?lang=ig
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/oaklandhearts/videos?filter=all&sort=time
