Elvis Blue has come a long way since winning SA Idols in 2010. The Lighthouse singer is up for three SAMA awards this year after being nominated in the Best Adult Contemporary Album category as well as Male Artist of the Year. His single, Lifeline as has also been nominated for Record of the Year. He says he is privileged and honoured to be recognised for an award.

 

"I think anytime you're nominated for anything, it feels great. So being nominated for the SAMAs is a massive, massive honour," he says.

 

Elvis Blue has released two albums since Idols. His self-titled debut album was a chart success reaching gold status in just 28 days. He became the first Idols winner to release a platinum-selling album, producing several hits including, Lighthouse and Right here, Right now. His second album, Journey, has also been a huge success. Elvis says his music is influenced by different genres.

 

"I listen to a lot of music. My mom's a classical piano teacher so since I was very young there has always been great music in our house, whether it is classic music or rock music or folk music. So lots of different genres, the only genre I kind of suck at is anything rap related. I struggle to talk that fast," he laughs. "I just love all kinds of music."

 

The two people in Elvis Blue's life who probably mean more to him than his music are his wife, Chireze, and their daughter Lila. He has written songs about the two women in his life. His debut album contains several songs dedicated to Chireze including Lover. Lila also has a song dedicated to her. The devoted day says he won't pressure his daughter into the music industry. 

 

"She's allowed to do whatever she would like to do. I was lucky because my parents helped me along the way. You lucky if you have people like that in your life,"he says.

 

Elvis has toured the parts of the country over the years and his music has been well received. He's also starred in an ice-cream ad for Milky Lane, proving that his brand is recognisable nationwide. 

 

"I know you actually want to know if I've got my own ice-cream. For a few months there was an ice-cream that was my ice-cream and that's kind of a big thing," Elvis Blue jokes. "You can be nominated for the SAMAs but what are the SAMAs when there is ice-cream? There are more important things like ice-cream," he laughs.

 

On a more serious note, Elvis Blue says fame hasn't changed him. He says he's just thankful to be able to live his dream.

 

"I think for any musician it's great being able to do what you love. For me being able to do something that I've always wanted to do is a great privilege. 

 

When Elvis isn't spending hours in the recording studio or performing to thousands of fans, you can find him on the beach during his downtime. 

 

"Being in an East Coast country, I kind of enjoy surfing because I stay in George in the Western Cape. I've got a beautiful wife and a three-year-old little girl so spending time with them always a top priority," he says.

 

Elvis is often praised for being down to earth and approachable by his fans. Chatting to the 33-year-old it's easy to say why. He ends the interview with a message to his loyal fans. 

 

"It's been three wild years. Thank you very much for buying my music and supporting me because if people don't do that then I can't do what I do."

 

Watch Elvis performing at East Coast Radio this week:

 

 

- Tamlyn Canham