Anye Elite

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Anye Elite

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Img_capt = Anye Elite
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Cornelius Aigner Ellis
Alias = Anye Elite, Anye Ellis
Born = birth date and age|1987|8|31
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Origin = Atlanta, Georgia, United States
by way of Daytona, Florida, United States
Instrument = Vocal
Voice_type = Baritone
Genre = Pop, R&B, Dance, Latin
Occupation = Singer-Songwriter, community activist
Years_active = 2003 - present
Label = Ellis Island Entertainment
Associated_acts = Tim'm T. West, Ken J. Martin
URL = [http://www.anyeonline.com http://www.AnyeOnline.Com]
Notable_instruments = Piano

Anye Elite (born Cornelius Aigner Ellis on August 31, 1987 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), aka Anye Ellis, is an American singer-songwriter and LGBT activist.cite web
last = Simon
first =Mashaun D.
title=Hearts A- Phyre’: African-American Organizers Want to Make First Black Gay History Week an Annual Event
publisher=Southern Voice
date=16 February 2007
url =http://www.southernvoice.com/2007/2-16/locallife/feature/6530.cfm
accessdate=2008-07-02] cite web
last = Ellis
first =Anye
title=Gay 101 Honors: In The Margins
publisher=Gay 101 Honors
date=24 June 2008
url =http://gay101honors.blogspot.com/
accessdate=2008-07-02] cite web
last = Amani
first =Khalil
title=Not Hiding In Hip-Hop: Gay & Lesbian Rappers - “Out” and “Proud!”
publisher=Hoodgrown Magazine
date=2008
url =http://www.hoodgrownonline.com/online/?p=1203
accessdate=2008-07-02] He is best known for his contributions to Atlanta, Georgia’s gay community.

Biography

Early life

Elite was born to an African-American mother, Robin Monique Ellis, and an Afro-Dominican father, Bruce Jonathan Perry. Growing up Elite had little contact with his father. His mother’s drug abuse led Philadelphia’s department of human services to place him into the custody of his maternal grandfather, Cornelius Ellis. Elite began singing and community organizing relatively early in his life, ages 7 and 16 respectively. On 31 August 1993, Elite’s seventh birthday, his grandfather purchased his first cassette tape, Mariah Carey’s "Music Box". During a chaotic childhood Elite found strength in the lyric’s message of perseverance. Inspired by Carey’s voice and songwriting abilities, Elite began writing and singing his own music. At sixteen, and in high school, he became Mainland High School’s first openly gay homecoming king and around the same time began working with regional community improvement campaigns.cite web
last = Elite
first =Anye
title=About Anye Elite
publisher=MySpace
date=2008
url= http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=65541005
accessdate=2008-07-02]

Music career

In 2003, Elite started his student career at Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts in south Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until relocating to the southern United States where he continued performing and writing. In 2004, Elite began singing in central Florida nightclubs. The Other Place, The Groove, and [http://www.clubzeba.com Zeba] are all Daytona area clubs that Elite frequently played. He has also featured at Orlando’s [http://www.parliamenthouse.com Parliament House] . In late 2006, Elite relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and began working on his debut album "GAY 101". Due to a promotional tour of the black gay pride circuit that included Boston's New England Black Gay Pride, Houston [http://www.houstonsplash.com Splash] , and Jacksonville [http://www.jaxxblackpride.com/ Black Pride] . With the death of his grandfather, "GAY 101"’s production was delayed, Elite, however, gained exposure with underground releases, "Everytime We Make Love" (2006), "What You’ve Been Missing" (2007), and "They Love It" (2008).cite web
title=Anye Elite
publisher=Last.fm Ltd.
date=2008
url =http://www.last.fm/music/Anye+Elite
accessdate=2008-07-02]

On 27 February 2008, "Just In Case", a song about the effects of violence and homophobia on gay, black Americans, was released with a corresponding video.cite web
last = May-Chang
first =Jody
title=Anti-Gay Murders Seen Coast-to-Coast
publisher=Pride Depot
date=27 February 2007
url =http://www.pridedepot.com/modules/wordpress/?p=1575
accessdate=2008-07-02] The song was inspired by three recent hate crimes. Simmie Williams, Jr., a 17 year-old gay male gunned down in Broward County, Florida, United States on 22 February 2008. [ [http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/02/equality-florid.html Steve Rothaus' Gay South Florida ] ]
Michael Sandy, a 28 year-old gay male hit by a car after trying to outrun his attackers in Plumb Beach, an area of Brooklyn, New York. Lawrence King, a 15 year-old student of E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California who was shot by another student, Brandon McInerney, because King asked McInerney to be his valentine. This song has become an anthem in Atlanta’s gay scene.Fact|date=July 2008 Elite has performed "Just In Case" at various events and venues including Atlanta nightclub, [http://www.sugarhillatl.com Sugarhill] , Atlanta’s queer music festival, [http://www.mondohomo.com Mondo Homo] , and [http://www.houseofintegritea.com House of Integritea] . Elite has also performed with black gay music pioneer, Tim’m West. His [http://www.reddirt.biz/features with Tim’m] have received critical acclaim.Fact|date=July 2008

"GAY 101" album is scheduled to be released 11 November 2008. Elite is scheduled to perform at [http://www.inthelifeatl.com Atlanta Black Gay Pride] , the largest black gay festival in the world. [ [http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2005/08/15/2] ]

Community activism

In early 2006, Elite began his role as an activist by lending his talents to community initiatives including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Miami, Florida. After witnessing the epidemic of new HIV infections in the Miami-Dade area, Elite started working with the University of Miami’s Future Leaders of the World (F.L.O.W.) program. There, he toured the area educating youth about the dangers of unsafe sex in a performance art piece he helped create. In October 2006, Logo’s hit show, "Noah’s Arc", inspired him to influence unity and progress in the black, gay community. He decided to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, an area considered by many to be the black, gay Mecca. Elite has volunteered at [http://www.aidatlanta.org AID Atlanta] , the largest AIDS service organization in the southeastern United States, in programs such as [http://www.aidatlanta.org/education/programs.shtml#2 The Deeper Love Project] and [http://www.aidatlanta.org/education/programs.shtml#1 Evolution Project] .cite web
last = Aaron
first =Darian
title=The Evolution Project Presents...
publisher=Southern Voice
date=22 February 2008
url =http://loldarian.blogspot.com/2008/02/evolution-project-presents.html
accessdate=2008-07-02] cite web
title=Black Gay Consciousness in Atlanta
publisher=Evolution Project
date=2008
url =http://bp0.blogger.com/_eh0jgrX2BFw/R764WpiS4NI/AAAAAAAAB04/CXuYIK7mGJE/s1600-h/Evolution%2520Event%2520Flyer.jpg
accessdate=2008-07-02]

In February 2007, Elite helped organized, Phyre, Atlanta’s first weeklong celebration of black gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history.cite web
last = Brotherlove
first =J.
title=Gathering Outside Of Sex: Signs of Intelligent Life
publisher=Bloggadocio
date=26 February 2007
url =http://www.thebrotherlove.com/journalogue/gathering_outside_of_sex.php
accessdate=2008-07-02] Phyre includes the controversial, Question homoPhobia media campaign. Elite was a spokesmodel for the campaign and was featured in a February 2007 edition of Atlanta’s gay publication, "Southern Voice", where he outlined the importance of the arts and their relationship to social equality. In the spring 2007 edition of "Clik" magazine, Elite shared his coming out experience as an inspiration for people who are struggling with their sexuality. Holmes, Anare 2003, [http://www.clikmagazine.com "CLIK" Magazine] ] Elite’s maternal grandfather shared his take on the experience as a way to support those coming to terms with the coming out of a family member. Presently, Elite continues to work with the community to foster education and to empower gay people to live independent and fulfilling lives. His most recent work has included aiding in finding and establishing quality care for GLBT youth. He is currently involved in planning and organizing Third Testament, an awards program and fundraiser for HIV positive individuals making a difference in metro Atlanta.

Discography

* "Todo De Mi" (2006)

ingles

* “Everytime We Make Love” (2006)
* "What You’ve Been Missing" (2007)
* "Try To Understand" (2007)
* "Thank You For Tonight" (2007)
* "They Love It" (2008)
* "Just In Case" (2008)

ee also

* Homohop

References