Jillian Ellis, a 2010 graduate of Lakota West High School, will perform songs from her debut album at a CD release party this Saturday at 9 p.m. at 86 Club in Clinton, 2820 Vine Street.
The album, “The Journey”, is the first released by the West Chester record label Positive Message Music, which focuses on producing uplifting messages through its music.
“We are excited about our first new artist as she debuts, ‘The Journey,’ a rich, R&B album with both riveting ballads and exciting dance music,” said Eric Ellis, Jillian’s father and founder of Positive Message Music.
“Jillian co-wrote most of the songs and they reflect her journey to womanhood. Jillian is a powerful and refreshing new voice for this generation.”
Tickets for the CD release party can be purchased in advance for $5 at the 86 Club, 513-341-8686 and by contacting Positive Message Music at 513-874-6836. Tickets are also available at the door for $8. CDs will be available at the event, through Positive Message Music and through iTunes.
After Lakota West sophomore Amber Robinson was fatally stabbed in September 2009, Eric Ellis was asked by then-principal Richard Hamilton to talk to the student body about making good choices.
“As I thought about what I wanted to do, I decided that music was what I wanted to go after,” said Ellis, who is the president and CEO of Integrity Development Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in diversity solutions.
“I really thought that the music was sending messages to young people that were often times resulting in violence and bad choices.”
At the end of Ellis’ presentation to Lakota West students, his daughter, Jillian Ellis, who graduated from West in 2010, sang a song her father wrote for Robinson called “One more day.”
After the song, many students were left in tears.
The message was received.
Four years later, Ellis of West Chester Township is still trying to spread that message through his local record label, Positive Message Music.
“I believe that music is the language of this generation,” Ellis said. “Too often adults are talking about adult solutions to problems that relate to young people. I really want to give young people a chance to speak to their peers through music and we are seeing that happen.”
Ellis’ four kids didn’t share his vision. In fact, when he came up with the idea for Positive Message Music, his children teased him.
“At the beginning we thought he was insane,” said his 18-year-old son Eric Ellis II. “We thought he had lost his mind. He was just sitting in front of his computer every night, making up songs. He sounded like a maniac.”
Their opinions changed, however, when two of his children were among the first seven local artists to sign with the record label in August of 2011.
“When things started to come together, my sister and I thought that this could be something,” Ellis II said. “Once we realized that, we have been in the studio, writing music and enjoying it ever since.”
Ellis’ son, aka “E2,” and daughter, aka “J. Faith,” are among the 12 artists signed with Positive Message Music. Other artists include Chris Douglas (rap – “Chris D.”), Aaron Collins (rap – “Double A”), Kendra Northgrad (country), Jerron Long (rap – “K. Starr”), Constance Dee (gospel r&b) and Chris Brokamp (rock). The label also has a group called the Mudd Gang, which is made up of Marisa Moore, Jakhaari Blackmon, Quentin Walker and Tenise Propes.
West Chester’s Positive Message Music and its newly signed local music artists Jillian Ellis, Chris Douglas, Royel Bridges, Aaron Collins, Brice Satterwhite, Phil Stacey and Eric Ellis Jr. will perform this afternoon, Aug. 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati.
The new music company, led by Integrity Development President and CEO Eric Ellis, has the mission of encouraging young hip hop artists to focus on producing uplifting messages that would distinguish it from today’s mainstream hip hop music, which predominantly focuses on violence, drinking, drugs, money and sex.
The idea of creating a studio for young people to produce music with a positive message came to Ellis after the death of Lakota West student Amber Robinson, who was fatally stabbed in 2009.
Seven local music artists, Jillian Ellis, Chris Douglas, Royel Bridges, Aaron Collins, Brice Satterwhite, Phil Stacey and Eric Ellis Jr. became the first to sign with West Chester’s Positive Message Music this past Thursday.
The new music company, led by Integrity Development President and CEO Eric Ellis, has the mission of encouraging young hip hop artists to focus on producing uplifting messages that would distinguish it from today’s mainstream hip hop music, which predominantly focuses on violence, drinking, drugs, money and sex.
The idea of creating a studio for young people to produce music with a positive message came to Ellis after the death of Lakota West student Amber Robinson, who was fatally stabbed in 2009.
“When Amber died, no one knew what to do. There was so much going on at our school. There were fights. People were angry, devastated and depressed,” said Jillian Ellis, Eric Ellis’ daughter and 2010 Lakota West graduate. “The school then had my dad come in to speak, because people were starting to try to fix what had happened with more violence.”
At the end of Ellis’ presentation to the students, Jillian sang a song her father wrote for Amber Robinson called “One more day.”
After the song, students were left in tears.
The message was received.
Fellow PM Music signee rapper Chris Douglas, who lives in West Chester, also wants to share his message. (more…)
The album, “The Journey”, is the first released by the West Chester record label Positive Message Music, which focuses on producing uplifting messages through its music.
