Features : Devon Elijah releases debut track, “Apply,” about living the single life

The single life is something that can be fun but sometimes tough to navigate, and singer/songwriter Devon Elijah has now released his debut track, “Apply,” which he says is something anyone who has been on the dating market can relate to.

“Everyone is single at some point, and there’s no desperate need to try to cling onto anyone and just enjoy that,” says Devon. “But at the same time, if you are looking for someone, don’t be afraid to stand on your morals and say what you want. Closed mouths don’t get fed, and if you aren’t specific, anything can fall in your way, and that’s not ideal.”

“Apply” is about Devon proclaiming what he wants for a potential partner, and just having fun with it. The track has a steady drum beat throughout, which is overlapped by the piano and the powerful vocals that he provides.

“This is a song where people can listen, feel something, and relate to it just as much,” he says.

Devon says everyone goes through trials and tribulations throughout life, and hearing someone sing about it might just help them figure out a way to cope or carry on.

He sings, “I don’t really want too much
Just somebody I can trust
Talk to on a daily basis
Because they realize I’m the shit.”

“I want people to find strength when they listen to my music,” he says. “I hope people find the ability to be vulnerable and people get in touch with their emotions overall. I hope my music helps and makes people feel less alone, and is something that people can look forward to.”

Devon was born in the rural south of North Carolina, and he explained that he has been performing and singing all his life. He started singing in the church when he was five years old in the choir, and then when he was in fourth grade, he played Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” This was when he knew he wanted to be a performer.

After being on a modeling troupe, dance team, step team, show choir, and performing in musicals in middle and high school, he started writing his own music at the age of 17. Devon moved to California to search for inspiration, sounds, and connections before going back to North Carolina where he realized how much he had to offer.

Devon’s vocals have been featured on a track called “Personal” by Starvidence, as well as “Perfect” by Deuce Maxwell, but “Apply” is the start of his solo career. He released the track in October 2024 and says that this was a piece of music he had been working on for years. Devon explains that while singing at one of his favorite bars, musician Alex Herring approached him to work with him on making music.

“He believed in me and I thought it would be a great opportunity, so we got going and started working on the music,” Devon says. “We’ve worked on ‘Apply’ and still have so much more great music to come out.”

Devon describes his work with Herring as “chaos” when it comes to putting together a track. He explained that he comes from a rock background, and Devon comes from several musical backgrounds including pop, gospel, rap, and R&B as well as Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, but they both have a classical root that ties them together.

“We go into the studio, and I already have an idea of what I want the beat to be, so I just start beating on a table and humming,” he says. “Alex is at the computer while I am at the microphone, and we just work together.”

The lyrics were written about four years ago but were always sung in an a cappella format. With Herring, they put their heads together and made something they were both proud of.

“We created something a little more obscure and subdued as far as a beat, so we could showcase my vocals a bit more since it was my first song,” he explained. “I’m particularly proud of having the courage to put the track out.”

Many people make music that never sees the light of day, but something within Devon kept him pushing until he was satisfied with what he heard.

“It was a perfect fit, and time to release it, and myself, into the world,” he says.

Devon says making music is a cathartic outlet, and that there is “power of the tongue and a sense of release.”

Devon has another song called “Baby,” which is nearly finished and should be released in the coming months as well as a re-release of the tracks "Who I Am" and "It's Dark" with rapper Youssef "YoYo" Kobach. He is also working with Herring on this track, as well as several others that will be on an EP coming this summer.

“This is something that I have been working diligently on the past couple of years,” Devon says. “I have had a lot of change and growth, so with the music that is coming it has changed while I have changed. There’s a lot of that but initially, it is just me and a microphone wanting to express myself.”

Be sure to check out “Apply” and keep up with Devon Elijah’s musical journey, available on all platforms.

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