[NYOTA
MAGAZINE]
STAR POWER
Eli Derby Volume 36
from the editor HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, we got to chat with musician Eli Derby about his EP Left On Read and signing with LVRN. As usual, I hope you enjoy reading the issue and that it inspires you to go after your dreams.
YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF @_CAROL_WRIGHT
*Cover Photo and the photo on pg. 3 were shot by Photographer 4k.Andrew
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contents 1. Editor's Letter 3. Get to Know Eli
4. Eli's Playlist
5. Star Power: Eli Derby
9. Eli's Top Picks
Follow us @nyotamagazine
#StarPower
GET TO KNOW
I started learning
Eli
to play the guitar at 15 (I’m now 18)
Seafood is my favorite food/cuisine
I played baseball in 7th grade
I have over 30 pairs of
I do at least 50 push-ups a day
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shoes
#NyotaMusic
Eli's Playlist Lil Durk ft. Gunna // What Happened to Virgil
Kanye West // Through The Wire
Michael Jackson
Miguel
// Thriller
// Sure Thing
Frank Ocean //
Nights
Meek Mill // Dreams and Nightmares
Drake // Marvin’s Room
Future // Love You Better
T-Pain ft. Lil Wayne // Can’t Believe It
Chris Brown ft. Gunna // Heat
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#StarPower
#StarPower
Eli Derby Interview by Carol Wright | Photography by Ryder
Eli Derby has already proven himself to be a powerful talent with a one-of-a-kind vision. Growing up in PG County, Maryland, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist started playing drums at the young age of two and immediately discovered a natural musicality that transcends both time and genre. Derby talked to NYOTA about his EP Left On Read and collaborating with 6lack for his song "Lately."
Did music play a large role in your life growing up? My Mom was a singer and my Dad was an actor so I grew up on 90s and 2000s R&B music. My Grandfather is also a pastor so I grew up listening to church music and being involved there as well.
Prior to sharing original music, you used to post cover videos on YouTube. What initially motivated you to start sharing videos online? I was posting covers online for fun when I first started, but then my Dad told me I should take it seriously. I then searched “how to play guitar?” videos on YouTube, learned a few chords, teaching myself as I went, and would consistently post from that point on. Since signing with LVRN how do you feel you have grown as an artist? Since signing with LVRN, my voice has gotten deeper and more mature. I’m definitely more confident now than I’ve ever been, and in listening to my first song...I can hear the growth in the music I’m dropping now, with the label.
Through TikTok, you often share BTS, POV videos, and covers. Has TikTok allowed you to have a more genuine connection with your listeners? TikTok gives me a chance to engage with my audience on a more personal level. On this app you don’t have to pose as “cool” or have a certain aesthetic, so there’s definitely a genuine connection that I have with my followers, and my growth thus far has been organic.
6lack is featured on your single “Lately." What was that collaborative process like? Working with 6lack is dope, he’s such a talented human being. After I recorded my part on “Lately” I knew right away I wanted a feature for it, and his sound just fit the mood. So, I texted 6 and he was down immediately to hop on it! He sent back his verse and it was so satisfying to hear the way he flowed on the record.
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#StarPower
“Lately” has a different feel from “Love Song” and “Gaslight.” Do you often try to experiment with your sound and style? I try to experiment as much as possible with the R&B genre. I feel like a lot of R&B artists these days wanna stay inside a box, and I’m never afraid to step outside my comfort zone outside of that box.
How involved were you in the creative process when it came to the “Lately” music video? When my team and I went to create the video concept for “Lately,” we wanted to create a mood that matched the song. So we went with a cinematic photography style and shot the whole thing in Los Angeles, CA.
Tell our readers about your EP Left On Read. What story are you telling through the EP? The meaning behind my EP is about the display of my generation (Gen Z) and our lack of communication as a whole due to us having social media in the palm of our hands since we could walk. I feel as though a lot of us are afraid and perhaps a little anti-social to have in-person dialogues. Throughout my EP Left on Read, I discuss topics that I personally have been through such as gaslighting, being a hopeless romantic, heartbreak, trust, and honestly...being left on read.
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Since releasing Left On Read has your perspective on any of the songs changed? Is there a song that resonates with you more now than it did when you first recorded it? I think “Lately” resonates with me deeper now. Not only did I get to work on it with such a talented artist and label mates, 6lack, but the song while sad in nature is actually really catchy. The song still reminds me of the person I wrote it about.
Outside of your music you also work with college students, specifically in Atlanta. What motivated you to start working with college students? I honestly love college campuses, especially the HBCUs Clark, Morehouse, and Spelman. The fans on campuses are all people I can relate to and are all fun, genuine, and super supportive. A lot of pretty women too ;)
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? Be consistent.
#StarPower
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#StarPower
#StarPower
Eli's Top Picks BOOK
48 LAWS OF POWER TV
SHOW
OZARK
MOVIE
FAST AND FURIOUS 5
FASHION
TREND
STREETWEAR, FITTED CLOTHES
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NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CAROL WRIGHT
WWW.ISSUU.COM/NYOTAMAGAZINE
CAROL WRIGHT
HTTP://NYOTAMAGAZINE.COM
COVER MUSICIAN
PUBLISHING
Eli Derby
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER
4k.Andrew
PHOTOGRAPHER
Ryder
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