Meet Andrell Ilevbare | Artist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrell Ilevbare and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andrell, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success is subjective. An adult’s pseudo definition for contentment… happiness, if you will. Yet to me, success is outdoing the me of yesterday. A liberating feeling, success is the direct opposite of the journey to attain it. Throughout my life, especially while pursuing some recognition for my music, I’ve experienced some low moments of self doubt, indirect ridicule, and just obstacles in general. I think my vision of success is the reason for it all. A definitive integer of what I could be if I just pushed through.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets me apart from other artists and creatives is that it feels natural to me. A lot of artists will tell you that the process before we release is a very stressful one. From recording to production, you are given tasks, or made aware of details you have no control over until you get to that step in the process, making it an overwhelming duty. However, to me it feels natural. It doesn’t feel like work. More importantly, as expensive as it is, it doesn’t cost me. I was born to do this, and I think a lot more people are catching on than I care to realize. Releasing ‘ReUp’ last year to the underground scene gave me a taste of what it would be like when my music goes mainstream, and I’ve been hungry to go through those same challenges again.
Therefore, by the time this interview gets out there, I would have released “Free Me!” on April 5th 2024, filmed and directed by Kym Roach, with supporting visuals from my boy Alfredo, and executive produced by my right hand, Xameria Powell. I’m so geeked to see how people will experience this project. Trust me, this is not one anybody would like to miss.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is actually a hard one. I feel like Atlanta is saturated in restaurants, and everyone that knows me will tell you I’m a big foodie. We would probably have a lot of late lunches at ‘Cafe Intermezzo’, & some pho from this new hole in the wall I found in late February, ‘Who Wanna Pho’. In addition to going for bites to eat, a good thing Atlanta offers that not a lot of big cities do are hiking locations, and other gifts of nature. I love going to waterfalls like the one at Roswell Mill, and I have one that I frequent in my neighborhood as well. If I’m not working or writing, I’m either eating or acting like society hasn’t advanced into an AI alternate reality over the last century.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Rest in Power Uncle Joshua. As of August of 2023, a very close mentor of mine passed away due to unforeseen circumstances.
Uncle Joshua. You were so loved. From your genuine nature, to your voracious tenacity for creative perfection. I remember working through hours of performances and having him scream, “From the T-O-P”, if one movement, and or note was out of place. I look back at those moments with such gratitude as it has laid the groundwork for who I am creatively. Never taking no for answer, and not stopping till I get it right. May you rest in eternal peace, until we see you again.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrell_/
Image Credits
Jacob “Vu” Ly @beholder.vu (Instagram) Emmanuel Oghenkaro @kapturedbye (Instagram)
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