Indie Author Tuesday: James C. Ellerbe

James C. Ellerbe

James C. Ellerbe is an author, poet and decorated spoken word artist. Recently, James was a finalist for the 2017 Indie Author Legacy Award for Poet of the Year and a featured author at the BCCLS Books NJ 2015 and 2017 Book Festivals. He also wrote and co-produced A Dream Preserved, a three-act play. Beyond the Event Horizon is his first book of poetry (2015), and Pulsar is his first spoken word album, released by Not Enough Words LLC (2018). Recently his work is featured in the anthology On the Verge: Poets of the Palisades III published by The Poet's Press (2020). He was born and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife.

Even though James C. Ellerbe is a dope poet who has published a poetry collection, I would like to highlight his album. Yes, this month’s Indie Author Tuesday will be about an author’s poetry album.

James C. Ellerbe’s poetry album, Pulsar was released in 2018. Although, I am acquainted with his book, I heard some of his pieces from his album when we shared the stage in Baltimore, MD. I was blown away by his performance and diction. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until this year that I streamed the FULL album.

Whew! From the sound effects in Strange Matter, to the inspiring We are Superheroes, Ellerbe makes sure to leave our ears feeling satisfied. James speaks with passion and that passion doesn’t fizzle out when it comes to romance. What a Song Can Do drips of sultry prose and the sensuously accented voice of Lady Taffy featuring on the track. The heavenly and errie vocals in the intro lured me in as I listened to what a Pulsar really was. As Fraser Cain rides the beat bold, cocky and inspirational, I knew that I was going to enjoy the album. Back to Strange Matter. Besides the effects the lyrics

“Scatter our human rights to the wind, ‘til they’re gone with the wind” -Strange Matter, Ellerbe

It was heavy. It was potent. Addressing black value in this society while calling others to understand that yes, we matter too. The violins that marched along with James C. Ellerbe and Goddess Daye kept my attention as he proclaimed wisdom, exhortations about…. Nope, you gotta listen to it for yourself.

James C. Ellerbe E-Interview

1.       What inspired you to create and release a poetry album?

 I have always been influenced by hip-hop, Jazz, R&B, and Roots Reggae in my writings. I used to write hip-hop lyrics but found freedom in poetry. It was the natural progression to produce a poetry album. I didn’t have to follow a beat --the beat followed me. The beat is an extension of my pen --the beat doesn’t guide my pen.

2.       Pulsar. What’s the story behind the title of your album?

A pulsar is a collapsed neutron star that pulsates as it spins as radiation emits from its core. Each pulsar has its own signature sound wave --like my album --each track has its vibe.

3.       When creating Pulsar, did you intentionally use specific poetic devices? If so, what were they?

Yes, a lot of free verse, a lot of allegories, stream of consciousness, and alliteration encompasses this body of work.

4.       My favorite poem/piece is, Time, Time, Time. Cha’vaughn O’Neal is featured on this track. Did you initially intend to collab with an artist for Time, Time, Time when writing it?

 There are 2 features in that poem --Iam Imega Is also featured in the poem/track. Their contribution was an improvisation in the studio. Something was missing in the poem. They added that extra ingredient. Cha’vaughn was right on time in the studio. I am not a singer, so I wasn’t going to sing the Erykah Badu line. Hahaha!  She filled in perfectly.

5.       What was it like working with Lady Taffy?

 Hahaha, my wife!  She wasn’t going to have another woman say those things to me on the track! Hahaha!

6.       I Got a Date with the Devil. Without giving away too much, is this based on a true story (sans the symbolism)? What inspired you to write this piece?

Yes, it’s loosely based on one of my darkest moments. Obviously the protagonist was not actually a protagonist, but just the party involved. The dialogue was actually my internal monologue at that moment. She was the object of my temptation, unfortunately. It’s a moment I am not proud of and it took me 5 years to write because the guilt plagued me. Writing it was so freeing though. This poem is originally in my poetry book, Beyond the Event Horizon. It almost didn’t make the book, because I questioned whether it was too revealing. I am glad I shared it in my book and my album because now I am free.

7.       Let’s talk about the sound effects. Did you imagine what sounds you wanted to use? Describe that process. Was there a producer or did you do this all on your own?

The sound effects were created by none other than my engineer and poet, Iam Imega. He was the genius behind the effects. He took my themes and concepts and added the effects to punctuate what I had to say. I am still blown away by his genius!

8.        Any upcoming projects?

I am currently working on a poetry kids' book, which I plan on releasing before the end of the year. I am also in the brainstorming stages of producing another poetry album.

Order your copy of Pulsar today!