Idris Elba

Introduction

New Vision One Records is proud to introduce you to the diverse and vibrant musical career of Idris Elba. Known worldwide for his powerful performances on screen, Elba has also made a significant mark in the music scene. He is a talented artist that draws inspiration from hip-hop, African musical traditions, and reggae to create evocative, rhythmic sounds. He also possesses the ability to seamlessly blend cultural influences with contemporary beats. With a background rooted in London’s rich music and acting scene, Idris Elba continues to impress audiences both on stage and in the studio, embodying true artistry in every sense.

Biography

While he's best known as an actor who has appeared in the television series The Wire, The Office, and Luther, as well as in feature films such as American Gangster, Thor, and Pacific Rim, Idris Elba has also made a name for himself in music, establishing himself as a DJ, producer, rapper, and singer. Elba's music is rooted in hip-hop, African music, and reggae, with his rich, resonant voice adding weight and texture to his atmospheric, edgy beats. A team player, he often collaborates on recordings.

His debut album, Mi Mandela (2014), was inspired by his experience playing Nelson Mandela and the music of South Africa. In 2016, he released Murdah Loves John, an exercise in moody hip-hop, and Idris Elba Presents: The Yardie Mixtape, a reggae-oriented set tied to his directorial debut, Yardie (2018). Elba has balanced his high-profile acting work in films like Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) and The Suicide Squad (2021) with musical projects such as Cordi Elba, a collaborative EP with Australian pop group Lime Cordiale in 2022.

Idris Elba was born on September 6, 1972, in Hackney, London, England. His father, Winston, was born in Sierra Leone, and his mother, Eve, was from Ghana; they were wed in Sierra Leone and later immigrated to England. While attending school in Canning Town, Elba began acting in student productions. When he was 14, he started working for his uncle, who ran a wedding DJ service.  A year later, Elba and his friends started their own DJ business, and in 1988, he quit school after winning an audition for the National Youth Music Theatre, which he attended on a grant from the Prince's Trust.

In 1991, Elba began spinning at London's nightclubs under the stage name DJ Big Driis. Three years later, he started landing small roles on UK television, and in 1995, he guest-starred on Absolutely Fabulous and Branwell. Soon, he was a regular presence on British TV.

In 2002, after relocating to the United States, Elba landed his breakthrough role as Russell "Stringer" Bell on HBO’s The Wire. Despite his busy schedule with film and television, he continued pursuing musical projects. In 2006, he released an EP, Big Man, under the name Driis. The following year, he wrote and produced a track for Jay-Z's American Gangster.

In 2010, Elba released another Driis EP, High Class Problems, Vol. 1, and in 2011, he guested on Pharoahe Monch's album W.A.R. In 2012, he performed guest vocals on The Milk's Tales from the Thames Delta and contributed backing vocals and percussion for Macy Gray's collection Covered. In 2013, Elba earned one of his most prestigious roles, portraying South African activist and president Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Inspired by this experience, he assembled an album of music based on South African themes and styles, featuring guest musicians such as James Blake, Cody ChesnuTT, Mr. Hudson, George the Poet, the Mahotella Queens, and Nothembi Mkhwebane. The album, Mi Mandela, was released in November 2014. Before its release, he hosted a BBC Radio 2 series, Journey Dot Africa, focusing on African music.

Elba’s next album, Murdah Loves John (2016), was a dark, moody mix of hip-hop, R&B, and African music, inspired by his character in the TV series Luther. He made his directorial debut with the 2018 film Yardie, and to accompany the release, he issued The Yardie Mixtape, a collection of reggae and hip-hop songs tied to the film.

In December 2020, Elba released a track in collaboration with Inner City and the Michigan-based anti-racism organization Detroit Will Breathe. Titled "We All Move Together," it was created in response to the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing issues of racial violence. His next release was a lighter house track called "Fudge," which he worked on with Latvian DJ Eliza Legzdina during downtime on a film shoot in Australia. Along with starring roles in Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), The Suicide Squad (2021), and The Harder They Fall (2021), Elba also collaborated with Australian pop group Lime Cordiale on the 2022 EP Cordi Elba.