Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelvin Ellison Jr
Hi Kelvin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Major88Keys is a multifaceted music producer, musician, engineer, songwriter, and DJ whose career has spanned multiple disciplines in the music industry. A proud member of the Coalition DJs Atlanta chapter and the Grammy Recording Academy Atlanta chapter, Major88Keys is recognized not only as a Grammy mentor but also as a prominent figure in the world of music production, engineering, and songwriting.
From a young age, Major88Keys showed a passion for music, starting as a drummer at the age of 12. At 16, he transitioned to the keys, followed by learning the organ and electric guitar. His journey as a musician laid the foundation for his evolution into a renowned music producer and engineer. Through years of honing his craft, Major88Keys became known for cultivating an artist’s sound from the ground up, earning industry credits that contributed to his RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications.
In addition to his production career, Major88Keys is the founder of I.T.S.C Music Academy, where he shares his expertise with aspiring musicians and producers. During the pandemic in 2020, he expanded his skill set by becoming a DJ, which opened new opportunities and allowed him to connect with additional organizations such as Coalition DJs (Atlanta), One Structure DJs, and Ahdasse DJs. Also, being the DJ at varies Club, Lounges and venues around Atlanta such as Skyboxx, VVS, UBar, CRU and more.
With a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set, Major88Keys continues to shape the future of music, mentoring emerging talent and creating sounds that resonate across the industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My career has been a journey where when I was signed with G.O.O.D Music in 2014 being new under the label was something I wasn’t used to being independent plus there was another producer under the label with a similar name. During that time I made a name for myself being an in session musician playing the keyboard drums and guitar before the term loops was created. I was the loop maker traveling back-and-forth from Atlanta and LA mainly while living in St. Louis. Once I relocated to Atlanta, then things became a lot smoother for my career where I joined Dj coalition coalition DJs shout out to DJ Funky for bringing me in and Big X. Also joining the Grammy recording Academy and also being a part of the Grammy, you mental program and being a part of the producer and engineers wing and the songwriter and composers wing. We’re also this year I became a RIAA certified producer S/O to VEDO for making it happen by creating a great song “4 Walls” featuring Natasha Mosley and Dee Money which was co-produced as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
so the things that I do is that I’m a musician first Producer 2nd, I play several instruments. My first instrument is the drums where I started out at 12, and then I learned how to play the keyboard by the age of 16 then I learn the Oregon and the lastly the guitar.. of course, with my name being a Major 88 Keys, I’m known on the piano or keyboard the most because I always got a fire Melody. So again, what says apart from producers today is that I am a musician who actually plays instruments very fluently so instead of using loops, which there’s nothing wrong with loops because it has pushed the culture, but was still and will always remain true is being a musician that can play a live instrument or producer that could play a live instrument.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel one of the main qualities or characteristics that Moe sent me a part or that is important to my success is that I pull up one thing about me in my career is no matter where the opportunity was. I was always able to get there so I always talk about having a travel fund available so whenever you get those calls of opportunity, you can get to and most of the time if you can’t get them it’s because you can’t travel there cause it may not be a local opportunity to take your career to the next level. And then I have a good well balanced sense of humor, and I’m able to adapt well with my surroundings because in this music industry, you never know what type of position you’ll have to play in that room.
Pricing:
- Recording Studio : $50-$75/hr
- First Time Clients Deal : 3hrs for $100
- Mix & Master : 2-Track/$150 | Stem: $250
- Beats : $250 – $1000 (Non-Exclusive)
- Custom Production : $1,500+
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmajor88keys
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BRgUX3CPq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Producer Credits:
Empire/Fox | TKnCash | Kevin Gates | Brian Angel | Cheeda Da Connect | Sammie | VEDO | Natasha Mosely | Fresco Kane | Lil Trill | | Fat Trel | MMG| Cap1 | Dan Deigo | 3Problemss | Montana Of 300 | OJ Da Juiceman | YSL | Zed Zilla | PeeWee Longway | NLE Choppa | Jizzle Buckz | Yello Pain | Moneybagg Yo | BMH Pezzy
