Toronto’s Ekelle Teams Up with Atlanta’s Ervin Mitchell on Rhythmic New Single “Games”

Ekelle is an artist and songwriter from Toronto, ON who rhymes about what she knows best – her real-life experience. Key music themes include money, sex, drama, and identity through a black feminist lens. Her genre of choice is a style that she created called Hood Pop – popular music with a street edge. Hood Pop combines elements of hip-hop, pop music, and R&B. Ekelle’s previously released 2023 track, “Flo,” produced by Andre Kaden Black and Jon Karkar, currently sits as her most streamed song on Spotify. It received acclaim as one of Complex’s Best Canadian Tracks of the Week and received radio play on Vibe 105 and Flow 98.7.

Ervin Mitchell is a songwriter and rap artist from Memphis, Tennessee who is currently based out of the hotbed of urban culture – Atlanta, GA. He has quickly gained over 4,000,000 monetized streams and hundreds of thousands of Shazams of his songs. Ervin’s overarching theme is the power of the mind to manifest our reality. He internalizes the philosophy that the job of a true artist is to convey meaningful messages and emotions in the simplest way. 

On “Games,” Ekelle & Ervin Mitchell team up to deliver a sexy single that’s inspired by the swipe culture of online dating. Although we usually have an idea of who we’d like to be with, there’s this energy nowadays where everyone thinks they’re going to find someone better so they keep looking. The song’s protagonist (Ekelle) doesn’t necessarily want to be in the streets anymore, but is forced to because of the current culture.

1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?

I really like that it happened sort of organically which is the best way in my opinion. I brought my concept to the studio with Alastair Alston who produced the track. All I had at the time was just the chorus and some ideas but I hadn’t really decided on lyrics yet. Alastair got to work on some really cool sounds and I ended up being really inspired, I ended up extending the hook I had and writing the first verse. 

I knew Ervin Mitchell for quite some time so I was just happy to finally get him on a track. So overall I got to work with people I really like so that always makes the process enjoyable.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.

Probably something corny like ‘You know what’s best for you’. I think in life, no matter what you decide to do you’re always going to be hit with advice, opinions, people’s differing points of view on what the ‘right’ thing or the right steps are. It’s up to you to decide what information is relevant to your journey. You have to make your own choices.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?

That’s kind of a tough question because I’m struggling to pick just one! But I definitely think I could play well with Nicki MInaj, Missy Elliot or Doja Cat. They all inspire me in different ways so it would be really cool to co-headline with any of them.

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?

I call my music Hood Pop, popular music with a street edge. Hood Pop combines elements of hip hop, pop and R&B. I’m a fan of so many different types of music so I had to create something for myself where I could rap, sing and work with different production styles. Subject-wise I like to keep it real, but still give listeners something to dance to.

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.

‘Million Dollar Baby’ – Tommy Richman. I like it because it’s different from what’s out there right now, it’s also a good mix of old school and new school vibes. Very groovy.