Today we’d like to introduce you to Robbie Elias.
Robbie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Miami. Part of a big Cuban American family. There was always music in my household. My Mom and Dad were both musicians. So I started singing and writing at a very young age.
It was right after high school that I decided to pursue music full time and really push forward with my music career. I was always kind of embarrassed to sing in school because I was so tall and everyone wanted me to play sports instead.
But once I got out of high school, I would sing anywhere people could hear me. I think I’ve performed at every bar in Miami. Eventually, I was able to start recording demos for local songwriters which led me to my work in the Latin pop industry.
But I always wanted to be a solo artist. I always wanted to sing my own songs and perform my own songs. I think it was difficult being openly gay and being a part of the Latin pop industry it wasn’t really talked about or okay. I remember losing a lot of public tour gigs because I was too noticeable or flamboyant. So I focused more on working behind the scenes. Where you could only hear my voice and not see me.
Since then, through the span of my career, I’ve been able to write songs, tour & background vocals for the likes of Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Marc Anthony, and Chayanne.
My first public tour was doing backgrounds for Don Omar and it lasted a very short time because I felt very out of place in a very masculine latin environment. But at the same time, it introduced me to the urban latin market. I don’t think I would have the street cred I have now if it wasn’t for that experience. Ironically, I am currently on tour with Daddy Yankee.
For me, times have changed and the new music I am writing in Spanish and English reflects how I’ve evolved and I hope to hopefully break into the Latin pop market.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s never an easy road being in the music industry.
It’s weird because the Latin pop market is so big right now and at the time that I started doing music, I was too Latin for the American market and too American for the Latin market. So it’s interesting to see how far we’ve come!
Now, I am able to embrace both sides much more comfortably and I’m working on new music that reflects that.
Of course being gay was also a struggle. But I never hid it. I was always proud of who I was. Even if it made people uncomfortable. But I think now I want to inspire people to be true to who they are. It bothers people less now. But I have lost gigs because of it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a singer/ songwriter. I guess I am most known for my work in the Latin music industry. Recording background vocals and vocal arrangements, writing and touring with acts like Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, Don Omar, Chayanne and more.
I think what sets me apart is that I have fallen down and gotten back up so many times. This industry is cutthroat and I have had to reinvent myself so many times.
I think now my goals have changed. Whereas before I wanted to be the biggest star in the world. I think now, after everything I have experienced I just want to be able to do what I love for a living whether it be doing background vocals, writing, vocal producing or performing with my band. But of course, it would be nice to be the biggest star in the world! 😊
In 2012, I lent my vocals to Alejandro Sanz’ Latin Grammy winning album for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album “La Musica No Se Toca”.
In 2015, I began a new venture into the world of viral videos with pop group Liza & Robbie. The year after, I was part of Grammy winning album for Best Latin Pop Album for “A Quien Quiera Escuchar” by Ricky Martin where I did background vocals.
In 2018, I released two new singles “The One Who Hurts Me” and “Ice Cream” both produced by Pete Wallace and available on iTunes.
When you look back, what are you most proud of?
I think the proudest moment of my career so far is knowing that the little dream I had when I was little of doing music for a living has become a reality. I may not be a household name yet, but at least in my city, I have made an impact and been a part of the history of the Miami music scene.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @robbieeliasofficial
- Twitter: @robbieelias
Image Credit:
@andreshenaoa, @janelkilnisan
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