ELHAE

ELHAE blurs the distinction between alternative and commercial R&B with casual if deeply heartfelt vocals over lean productions with leisurely tempos. On a steady rise since the release of his first EP, Aura (2015), he made his major-label and album debut with All Have Fallen (2016), which entered the upper half of Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart. He has continued to expand his scope with Aura III (2021), issued on Motown, and Forgotten Flowers (2023), a shorter and more refined set released independently. Also an accomplished producer for other artists, ELHAE has contributed to two Dove-nominated recordings, Andy Mineo's Uncomfortable and Tedashii's This Time Around. Born in Minot, North Dakota but based in Atlanta, Jamaal Jones came up in the church, sang in his mother's choir, and was eventually drawn to rap and R&B. Taking the name ELHAE ("Every life has an ending"), he independently released tracks like "Gold Roley," "Stars," and "A.N.O." during the early 2010s, and then fulfilled a career aspiration by signing to Atlantic, the major-label home to some of his favorite artists including Lupe Fiasco. In March 2016, ELHAE released All Have Fallen, an album that featured an appearance from Kehlani. By the time it peaked at number 47 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, ELHAE had become a desired collaborator. He produced tracks for Andy Mineo's Top Ten Billboard 200 LP Uncomfortable and Tedashii's This Time Around EP, co-nominees for a Dove Award in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year. After 2017's Aura II EP and the 2019 full-length Trouble in Paradise, ELHAE moved from Atlantic to Motown and recorded Aura III. Rick Ross and Xavier Omär appeared on the 2021 release, as did Masego, featured on the easygoing highlight "My City." Having felt constricted by his major-label affiliations, ELHAE turned the page in 2023 with the independent release Forgotten Flowers, a brief and cohesive set full of characteristically heartfelt slow jams. Big K.R.I.T. joined him on the candid "Check on Me." ~ Andy Kellman