SA: Apple Music shines spotlight on Elaine

Elaine’s music will be featured in South Africa and various other parts of the African continent. She is the first independent female artist in the country to reach No 1 on the Apple Music Album Charts with her self-released, seven-track debut EP Elements.

“Elaine released the EP with no external backing or label support, but rather with the help of two university colleagues,” Apple Music said. “At just 20 years old, she has shown the perfect combination of charisma and creativity as a singer and songwriter and this is why she is Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight for sub-Saharan Africa this November.

“The Elements EP showcases Elaine’s gift of knowing how to blend warm melodies with sharply intimate lyrics. Keeping it real, she explores the meaning of love in all its forms, seeing its expression as the key to a harmonious life.”

Elaine said: “It’s such an honour to be chosen as the Apple Music New Artist Spotlight for November. It’s a great feeling to know that people love my music. I appreciate the support from Apple Music, it’s truly amazing, especially as an independent artist. Thank you to the amazing team that has supported me in my career, and most of all thank you to everyone that has listened and supported my journey. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for me.”

Elaine, a law student at Wits University in Johannesburg, began singing at the age of six. She won a gold medal at the 2014 World Choir Games in Latvia and credits Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé as her inspiration.

Elaine’s EP is about relationships and features such songs as ‘When We’re Alone’, ‘Say It’, ‘I/You’, ‘You’re The One’, ‘Changes’, ‘I Just Wanna Know’ and ‘Risky’.

Elements is available for streaming here.

Previous South African artists who have benefited from Apple’s New Artist Spotlight platform include Elizée and Malachi, Sho Madjozi, Simmy, Dope Saint Jude, Darkie Fiction, Dutchkid, Emerger and Thandi Ntuli, among others.