How Lily Elise Is Using Music To End Domestic Violence
How Lily Elise Is Using Music To End Domestic Violence
Often, the moments that cause the most heartbreak and agony serve as fuel for the creative arts, as the artist is able to take the inner pain from their experiences and put their soul back into the work. For musician Lily Elise, her own personal heartbreak not only creates relatable music, but is on a mission to bring awareness to the realities of domestic violence.
Elise, who began her musical career on Season 1 of The Voice (where she was personally mentored by Christina Aguilera), is no stranger to making sacrifices for her dream. Before she was accepted on The Voice, she was a student at the University of Southern California (USC) as a Pop Music major. When she came on the show, she was forced to quit school and do what she was made to do: perform.
After her experience on The Voice came to a close, Elise dedicated her time to mastering the sound she wanted to present to people.
“I was doing a lot of songwriting,” explains Elise. “But now the music is finally me.”
Lily Elise is using her sound effectively, as she has an upcoming EP titled Taken that provides awareness to what many domestic violence survivors face. Based upon her own former relationship, Elise channels the emotions she felt in the relationship, hoping to inspire people to get out of harmful relationships.
“I would love to spread a good message that you can get out,” says Elise. “I want to say to people that they aren’t alone. People who go through it usually don’t get out because of their emotional state.”
The music releases have been greeted with enthusiasm from the fans, as they beg her for more. Each song on the EP tells a portion of the story, so when fans play the tracks from beginning to end, they get to see Elise’s heart on her sleeve about her own personal experiences.
With her transparent and vulnerable lyrics fused with the inviting tones of hip hop, it’s clear that Lily Elise is on the rise not only to make music, but to sound her voice against one of the biggest problems society faces today.
“Believe in yourself more than anyone believes in you,” advises Elise. “Just keep going.”
Julia Schemmer is a senior from Norco High School, where she participates in five AP classes, is the president of the Female Empowerment Club and Link Crew, and publicist of Chinese Culture Club, American Cancer Society, and the FIDM Fashion Club. Aside from managing the communications at Her Culture, she is the founder of She Speaks Media and The Face of Cancer, editor for The Prospect Magazine, editor in chief of Motivation Daily, and contributor for the Huffington Post. Her future endeavors consist of becoming an international human rights lawyer, foreign correspondent, diplomat, and finally seeing the day where Leonardo DiCaprio wins an Oscar.