Anyé Elite released his promotional demo “Todo De Mi” in late 2006 , he has helped coordinate Atlanta’s first week long celebration of African-American Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual & Transgendered History aptly titled PHYRE (www.afterthephyre.com) in 2007. We did not hear his music until he sent us the cute and catchy boy on boy love song track, “I Got Him”. The song was mostly well received and has been played on Hot Mess Radio and Da Doo Dirty Show. Now, he will be performing at the opening ceremonies at this year's Atlanta Black Pride on Labor Day Weekend. We decided to take some time and get to know just who Anyé Elite is. Enjoy our interview:


When did you start singing and performing music?

Well I come from a family of singers and musicians so it's been a presence in my life every since I can remember. I started writing songs and recording myself at age 7. (Stuff I hope no one ever hears!) I didn't start performing for others until I began singing solos along with my church choir when I was about 11 or 12

Do you rap as well as sing? It sounds that way on the earlier version of "I Got Him" but just want to confirm.

Yes I rap in addition to singing. And that's been a source of confusion for some people because they like to put you in a box. I might have to come up with a new term to make them happy. Maybe a "SingRapper" or something. But, I try to be really careful about labeling myself as a rapper because I think there are so many talented artist who really focus on that and they deserve that distinction.

I started rapping to fill voids in my own songs cause I couldn't get the collaborators that I wanted. I love, love, love collaborating! I actually sent "I GOT HIM" to Last Offence but the logistics didn't work out so I ended up doing it myself. I have not given up on Lasto, I've started my official "Last Offence Shout Out Campaign" to get him on a song one day! Get at me man! Lol

I want to have that Mariah Carey/Mary J. Blige/Ashanti relationship with hip-hop. I suppose I'll just have to wait til I blow up like them so I can have my pick of litter.

Now your profile tells you have done some things in Florida but you seem to call Atlanta home now. Where were you born and which do you consider your home now?

Originally I'm from Philly and I was there until my sophomore year of high school. My mother didn't take me coming out the closet very well so I ended up moving to Florida. I moved to Atlanta in 2006 and haven't looked back since. Well except for this one time. LOL. I love Atlanta!


What made you decide to be a performer who is "out"? How long have you been performing as an "out" artist?

I think that it was perfect storm of sorts. I lived my personal life in a way that it would be virtually impossible for me to go back into the closet. Also, I like being on the forefront. The most important factor that went into the decision was that I realize how music can be a voice of a people and I wanted to be that voice or at least in the chorus of those voices for gay representation.


How would you define your music and style? Homohop? Pop? R&B? Hip-pop? Something else?

I'm all of those things. I'm only 21 and I've already lived in Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami. All those places have their distinct sounds and they've all inspired me. I am very intentional about creating my main tracks to be accessible for everyone that's why I love creating remixes because they allow me to detail the song to a specific audience.

The first time I heard the term Hip-pop was actually when Outhiphop.com was describing "I GOT HIM" and immediately I like it so if anything I am Homo-Hip-Pop!

Introduce yourself to the out hip hop community.

Hello,I'm Anye Elite I look forward to creating music for a very long time. It is my intention to if not be the best to be one of them. I want to thank all the supporters of outhiphop as well as the other artist for their support. I love how everyone brings something different to the table. Some of the follow up singles will be decidedly more R&B, Pop, and Dance so I don't want anybody to think that I'm turning my back on Hip-Hop. All I can say it look out for the remixes because that's where I really let loose!


We understand you have an EP/demo out. Is it still available? How would one get it?

My first mix tape was called Todo De Mi which means all of me. I'm insanely critical of my work and I am always looking forward to getting better and I want people to hear me at my best. For those reasons I've not gone out my way to make the demo available because I think a great deal of growth has occurred since then. There has been some growing request for those song to be made to available so I'll look into finding a way to release them. Until then some of those songs like "Pinky and the Brain" and "Exclusively", and "They Love It" can be found on YouTube.

What was the inspiration for "I Got Him", which we think would be a huge hit if Top 40 radio played songs about guy on guy love.

Sometime I feel like I can't even speak for " I Got Him" the song has a mind of its own. I hadn't even committed myself to making it the lead single. And it was like "Let Me Show You!" I am still trying to rap my head around how fast this song is reaching people. It hasn't been an entire month since I wrote the song. I am so thankful for everyone's support.

As far as the inspiration I was watching Noah's Arc and there's a scene in the movie where Noah's friends are critiquing Noah's boyfriend Wade. In response Noah was like "yeah that's my man and I got him" thus "I GOT HIM" was born! And since I'm single now I wrote about some of my experiences in past relationships. I like how a lot of sgl couple are taking to the song, many people are saying that it's "their song" which is a really cute honor.

Tell us about your forthcoming CD. What can people expect from it and when should we expect it?

Gay 101 has been in the works for years! I chose the title because the album shares a lot of the valuable lessons that I learned navigating the gay lifestyle. The album tells a story of the initial discovery of same-sex attraction to the conclusion of self acceptance and all the love, drama, and fun in-between. Musically listeners can expect a pretty nice fusion of pop and hip hop. Everything is Top 40 ready! So when the rest of the world is ready to play our music I'll be waiting.

We heard a rumor you're working on a video. What song would it be for?

Shhhhh! I got enough expectations and deadlines! No I'm kidding. An internet video for "I Got Him" (Remix) will be available next month. The official mainstream video for "I Got Him" is still in the works as the production quality requirements are different. It will probably debut around the time of the albums release.

You are performing at Atlanta's Black Gay Pride this year. Is this the first time?
And how do you feel about this event?

This is my second time performing during the event. However this is my first time performing on the main stage so it's very exciting. I start rehearsing with the dancers next week I am really excited this performance is going to be very special.

Any shout outs?

Did I shout out Last Offence already? LOL H.O.E (House of Elite) Shout out to credible managers. I'm looking for one. Twizza my fellow ATL brother. And all my cuzins! That's what I call my supporters and yes I know it's spelled cousins.

What is next for Anye Elite? Also feel free to add anything you might want our readers to
know that we did not ask.

Well in addition to my music I have three books the I plan on releasing in the next couple of years. One of which is fictional story that I think has cinema potential. I also want to continue the work that I do in community organizing for the black gay community as well as HIV education and prevention.