Elijah

Elijah is a London-based DJ, writer, and creative strategist, renowned for co-founding the influential grime label Butterz and pioneering the Yellow Squares project, which inspires sustainable artistic practices across the music industry.

About

Elijah, hailing from East London, has been a pivotal figure in the UK's grime and electronic music scenes. In 2007, alongside Skilliam, he launched Butterz — a blog that evolved into a groundbreaking record label by 2010. Butterz played a crucial role in bringing grime instrumentals to the forefront, releasing music from artists like Swindle, Royal-T, DJ Q, and Flava D, and featuring collaborations with MCs such as JME, D Double E, and P Money.

Elijah and Skilliam's dynamic presence on Rinse FM from 2008 to 2014 helped cement the station's reputation as a hub for grime and UK bass music. Their weekly shows showcased emerging talents and fostered a community around the genre.

In 2021, Elijah initiated the Yellow Squares project — daily posts on Instagram and Twitter featuring concise, thought-provoking statements on creativity, community, and the music industry. These "yellow squares" have transcended social media, leading to lectures, workshops, and even a collaborative album with Jammz titled "Make The Ting".

Elijah's commitment to empowering artists extends beyond his online presence. He has delivered talks at institutions like SOAS, where he serves as a Community Fellow, and has collaborated with organizations such as AIAIAI to host events aimed at educating and inspiring the next generation of music creators.

Through his multifaceted career—as a DJ, label head, writer, and educator—Elijah continues to influence and shape the landscape of contemporary music, advocating for innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable creative practices.