Elijah (UK) The Talks - Gadigal Country

EMC is partnering with Here For Good to bring Elijah The Talks and his ‘Yellow Squares’ lecture to Sydney for the first time this September.

Multi-hyphenate Elijah (label founder, designer, artist manager, DJ) challenges the way we think about working in the music industry, sharing knowledge from his career with fellow creatives through his provocations globally known as the “Yellow Squares” on Instagram and X (@Eli1ah). His commitment to artist sustainability and diversity in arts leadership makes him a pivotal figure in the contemporary music landscape.

His focus on sustainable artist creation, community, electronic music, grime and rap, web3, social media and other questions around outdated industry systems explore creative resilience and building communities have captivated audiences online. His mission? To challenge conventional thinking, disrupt the norm and share invaluable knowledge with fellow creators. 

“Elijah curates content cross-platform to lift the veil on the business of electronic music, with a goal of democratising knowledge for all.” – Resident Advisor

We’re excited to bring Elijah to Sydney for the Elijah The Talks gathering IRL to explore his ideas and progressive thinking in-depth. Following his Yellow Squares lecture, there’ll be a Q&A and group discussion, followed by a social mixer in the last part of the event. Join us and bring along any artists and creatives you know that are keen to transform their ideas into reality.

Supported by BIGSOUND and the NSW Government through Create NSW.

About Elijah

Elijah, a London-based creative force, embodies a blend of artistic innovation and industry acumen, uniquely positioning himself as a multifaceted influencer in the independent music and arts sector. With an impressive 15-year trajectory, Elijah’s roles span from a Creative Consultant, Writer, and DJ to an Artist Manager and Co-founder of the trailblazing record label, Butterz. His passion for sustainable artistic creation, coupled with a deep-rooted connection to electronic music, grime, rap, and the evolving digital landscape, fuels his daily explorations and writing. Known for his project “Yellow Squares,” he has engaged a large social following for his insights into creative work, music industry challenges, and broader cultural trends. 

His initiative, Rhythm&Cash, exemplifies his commitment to open dialogue on artist sustainability and the impacts of changing urban landscapes on the art and his involvement with the Change Makers program, aimed at increasing diversity in arts leadership, showcases his dedication to nurturing future talent and reshaping the cultural fabric of the arts sector.

His advice to the next generation – emphasizing the necessity of expanding their creative toolkit and mastering self-promotion – reflects a deep understanding of the contemporary artistic landscape making him a true change maker in the world of independent music.