Elle Royal

Elle Royal (formally known as Patwa) is in the midst of re branding herself as an artist while creating a new sound for female rappers. What sets Elle aside from other artist is the fact that for her, it's all about empowering women while inspiring through music. Elle is definitely leaving her mark on music with a new sound that she's branding Reggae Soul.   

Elle Royal  grew up in the Wakefield area of the Bronx. Years ago my grandfather migrated to the Bronx from Jamaica, bought three multiple family homes, and then brought all 12 of his children (including my mother) to the U.S.. Because I had such a large family I spent most of my time with cousins, aunts, and uncles who lived on the floors below me and in the homes next door to me. I had a cousin who lived below me who sang and produced for hip-hop artists. I practically lived in the studio he built in his home. Here is where I met one of his hip-hop artist friends who helped me construct my first rhyme when I was 14.

From there, Elle began writing rhymes and recording them in a studio, Elle put together in her room.  Elle always gravitated towards 90s hip-hop because of the delivery and content. She listened to Reasonable Doubt (Jay-Z’s 1st album) almost everyday, and from there I started researching other artists of that era like Mobb Deep, Foxy Alicia Keys and AZ who also influenced her style.

 "Although the people around me were generally supportive and encouraged me to keep writing, I never thought about pursuing rap seriously until I went on a date with someone who was in a rap group. They invited me to do a song with their group member. After I recorded my part to the song, their manager asked me to join their group. That was the first time I thought I could make a career out of it".

In regards to the name change and the differences between Elle Royal and  Patwa,  as Patwa I was at a time in my life when I was just rapping for myself and trying to find myself i.e my mixtape title “One Gyal Army”. As I got older my focus in life became less about myself and more about my purpose and how I could use myself for a greater cause. I became heavily involved in female empowerment and that’s when Elle Royal was formed. “Elle” comes from my first name, Danielle and it also means SHE in french, “Royal” means “having the status of a King or Queen”.

I think all men are Kings and all women are Queens and by associating myself with Queenship I could empower other women to also associate themselves with Queens. Elle Royal unlike Patwa, also comes with a movement entitled P.O.P and its primary focus is in bringing back power to the female; power that I feel over the years we’ve lost.

I think we live in an interesting time. I feel like people are being told what to like and what to think and its almost as if, if you don’t agree with the masses that you become the outcast. Once upon a time people had to earn respect and credibility in Hip-Hop and now anyone can create an image overnight and the powers that be can force this image into our radios and TVs until we finally decide we like it. I want to remind people that it’s ok not to like something or disagree with something. Never shun how you feel because there are at least a million other people who feel the exact way you do, and we need more risk takers in general to go out on limbs and speak out. Don’t allow yourself to be controlled in any part of life and learn to question everything. Never take anything for face value. I want to be remembered as someone who helped pioneer a movement for women, who helped build self-esteem and self-awareness for all women. My goal is to bring the power back to the female. P.O.P!