Singer, rapper, and producer Elujay makes deeply thoughtful progressive R&B that synthesizes myriad inspirations not limited to lovers rock reggae, West Coast soft rock, and underground dance music. A Bay Area native based in Los Angeles, Elujay was more of a hip-hop artist at first, but he settled comfortably into a soul-rooted sound with Adojio (2019), his first EP. Circmvnt (2022), his debut album, documented his navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Signed to the Drink Sum Wtr label after he established his Onetime! imprint, Elujay then put together A Constant Charade, his fearless second LP. The musician is also one-half of JEMS!, joined by kindred spirit J.Robb.

Born and raised in Oakland, Elujay (Ian Jackson) began making beats and rapping in 2012. He released his first tracks a couple years later, and in 2016, he started his Onetime! label, issuing several singles, including “Soul Food” with Saba and “Flagrant” with YMTK, as well as the mixtape Jentrify, titled in reference to the gentrification of his hometown. Momentum continually built throughout the next couple years with “Golden,” “Starchild,” and “Locked In” among the standout singles. “Starchild,” the first showcase for his singing voice, became his biggest track to that point, and was among the seven songs on Adojio, an EP issued in 2019.

Between his first tape and EP, Elujay met fellow producer J.Robb through SoundCloud, and the two began an online collaboration that gathered steam during the COVID-19 lockdown. Near the end of 2020, Elujay and J.Robb debuted under the name JEMS! with Gems in the Cornerstore, an EP issued through Soulection. Elujay continued with solo tracks, including the garage-flavored “1080p” (with HXNS), “Luvaroq” (featuring Serpentwithfeet), and “Pandemia.” Those three tracks were among the 11 cuts that made up 2022’s Circmvnt, an album Elujay wrote as he coped with the pandemic. After a couple standalone singles, Elujay reconnected with J.Robb, and in 2024, JEMS! returned with Gems in the Cornerstore II. The set was released by Drink Sum Wtr, which also became Elujay’s label for solo output. A Constant Charade, his second album, saw digital release in late 2025. Physical editions followed in early 2026.