Elijah Kelley is an American actor, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer best known for his award-winning performance as Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray (2007).[1][2][3]
"It only takes one idea. It only takes one thought to pretty much change your universe."
-Elijah Kelley[4]
Acting Career[]
Elijah Kelley got his start doing commercials for Coca-Cola.[5] Then, in 1998, he landed a role on TV Mini series Mama Flora's Family.[5]
Elijah then went on to score roles in various films and television shows, including Dexter, Rome and Jewel, and, Red Tails.[1]
In his return to musicals, Kelley plays the Scarecrow in NBC's special The Wiz Live! (2015).[1][6][7] He played alongside Queen Latifah's titular The Wiz.[8]
In 2016, he once again found himself on screen with fellow Hairspray alumni, Queen Latifah, this time on television.[9] Elijah Kelley and Queen Latifah played Andy and Carlotta in Star, a show about singers trying to make it in Atlanta.[9][10]
Kelley played Ricky Bell in two separate mini series: The New Edition Story (2017) and The Bobby Brown Story(2018).[1]
In Kelley's only animated role, he voiced Sunny in Lucas Art's Strange Magic (2015).[11][12]
Music Career[]
Elijah Kelley is a talented singer who has recorded a number of songs for productions, as well as his own singles.
Discography - Singer[]
Kelley released his debut album, Love Letters, in 2008. It included his single, "I Got It."[13][14]
He has also released a number of singles.
| TRACK | YEAR | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Die Without Your Love | 2019 | [15] |
| Tonight feat. Zianthin | 2019 | [16] |
| Money Talks | 2019 | [16] |
| Rumors feat. J-One | 2017 | [17] |
| Dream Sequence | 2017 | [16] |
| Unfaithful feat. Jone | 2017 | [16] |
| Blame feat. Milena Lady | 2016 | [16] |
| He Welcomes You | 2008 | [18] |
| Transform | 2006 | [19] |
Kelley has also appeared on a number of albums with other artists, including the soundtracks for Hairspray (2007) and Star (season 2).
| ALBUM | YEAR | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Star Soundtrack | 2017 | [20][21] |
| Strange Magic Soundtrack | 2015 | [22] |
| The Wiz Live! Soundtrack | 2015 | [23] |
| Red Tails Soundtrack | 2012 | [24] |
| Disneymania 6 | 2008 | [25][26] |
| Sex and the City (vol 2) Soundtrack | 2008 | |
| Semi-Pro Soundtrack | 2008 | [27] |
| Who Killed Bishop Brown | 2008 | [28] |
| Love and Basketball Soundtrack | 2007 | [29] |
| Hairspray Soundtrack | 2007 | [30] |
Unreleased Singles[]
Testify (2017)[31]
Discography - Composer[]
| ALBUM | YEAR | PERFORMED BY | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost | 2016 | Faarrow | [32] |
| Forever | 2014 | Sebastian Mikael | [33] |
| Speechless | 2014 | Sebastian Mikael | [32] |
| Love and Hip Hop: Music from the Series | 2014 | [32] | |
| Live is Beautiful | 2009 | Press Play | [32] |
| Mug 4 Dayz | Mariah Balenciaga | [32] |
Discography - Producer[]
| TRACK | TYPE | YEAR | PERFORMED BY | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost | EP | 2016 | Faarrow | [34] |
| Rule the World | Single | 2013 | Faarrow | [34] |
| Say My Name | Single | 2013 | Faarrow | [34] |
Current Work[]
Elijah Kelley recently released a new single, "Die Without Your Love."[35] He continues his work as a producer for Somali pop duo, Faarrow, whom he has worked with since 2013.[34]
Kelley appears in the BET series Tales, which was renewed for a third season, though production is likely delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.[36]
Kelley started his own nonprofit when he was young, The Elijah Kelley Foundation, which gives scholarships to children from his hometown looking to pursue the arts.[4]
Awards[]
In 2007, Elijah Kelley was awarded the Key to the City of his hometown, LaGrange, Georgia.[37]
In 2008, Elijah Kelley became the only black actor featured on Entertainment Weekly's 30 Under 30 to Watch list.[38] That same year, he was given a Young Hollywood Award One to Watch Award.[5]
Trivia[]
Elijah Kelley reunited with Hairspray co-star Nikki Blonsky for the Disneymania 6 album.[26] Kelley performed the Lion King's "He Lives in You," while Blonsky covered the Cinderella classic, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes."[26]
Official Sites[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327
- ↑ Sebastian Mikael
- ↑ https://geekdad.com/2015/01/elijah-kelley/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://www.mrskathyking.com/strange-magic-interview-10-things-dont-know-elijah-kelly/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0445903/bio
- ↑ https://www.nbc.com/the-wiz-live
- ↑ https://oz.fandom.com/wiki/Elijah_Kelley
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4718770
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4941240/fullcredits
- ↑ https://deadline.com/2017/09/star-elijah-kelly-recur-season-2-fox-series-lee-daniels-1202177658/
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4191054/
- ↑ http://thatsitla.com/strange-magic-elijah-kelley/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E592HPcS00I
- ↑ https://myspace.com/elijahkelleymusic/music/album/love-letters-8460474
- ↑ https://listen.tidal.com/album/112433602
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 https://open.spotify.com/artist/00GU50OzuFhMY8WQ1RjdrR/discography
- ↑ https://music.apple.com/ph/artist/elijah-kelly/258906076/see-all?section=top-songs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0xA57qUIuA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLsDeVEozbE
- ↑ https://genius.com/albums/Star-cast/Star-original-soundtrack-from-season-2
- ↑ https://genius.com/Star-cast-soon-and-very-soon-lyrics
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4191054/soundtrack
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4718770/soundtrack
- ↑ https://theboombox.com/red-tails-elijah-kelley-light-years/
- ↑ https://www.stlyrics.com/d/disneymania6.htm
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Disneymania_6
- ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/semi-pro-mw0000751406
- ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/who-killed-bishop-brown-mw0000494497
- ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-amp-basketball-dvd-cd-movie-amp-music-edition-mw0001191206
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327/soundtrack
- ↑ https://www.lagrangenews.com/2016/12/29/hometown-actor-performer-shoots-new-video-at-church/
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elijah-kelley-mn0000928685/credits
- ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/forever-mr0004077255/credits
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 https://www.createcultivate.com/blog/createcultivate100-music-faarrow
- ↑ https://listen.tidal.com/album/112433602
- ↑ https://www.thecinemaholic.com/tales-tv-show/
- ↑ https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article29049199.html
- ↑ https://ew.com/gallery/30-under-30-actors/?slide=268709#268709