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Rhythmic resilience with an innate sense of soul are the hallmark of musician, percussionist/drummer, Aisha Ellis. The Detroit native creates sonically stimulating experiences for local and international audiences with a transformative, percussive prowess. With a career that spans almost four decades, she is a unicorn in an industry that operates on a system traditionally stacked against black women, yet she persists as a paragon of love, health, and prosperity.
Aisha was immersed in music, song, and dance since birth. She grew up surrounded by the influences of musical icons such as Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Bob Marley, Gil Scott Heron, Angela Bofill, the artists of Motown and so many more. Sounds from everyday life such as dripping water, her father’s footsteps, windshield wipers, turn signals and birds chirping, served as the inspiration for her gift of drumming. Her mother belonged to an African dance and drum troupe, and would often take Aisha to rehearsals. While in middle school, she formed a band of girl drummers, and was the last one standing once the others quit. Those formative years prepared the artistic expressionist to perform with fellow renowned creatives such as Jessica Care Moore, Diviniti Roxx, Dionne Farris, Joi, The Pocket Queen, Nona Hendrix, Jaci Caprice and more.
She notes, “Seeing Sheila E. and Terri Lynn Carrington as well as meeting and being mentored by amazing local women drummers like Gayelynn McKinney and Monique Reynolds, truly inspired me and let me know that I was on the right path.”
With unwavering confidence, Aisha strives past obstacles such as patriarchy, sexism, and depression. She represents the women whose desire to be drummers was denied or deferred. Known as “Drumlova,” she has an estimable presence in multiple roles including band leader, as well as drummer and music director for We Found Hip-Hop. She also performs with her trio, and is an avid enthusiast of African dance. Since 2010, she has served as the co-percussionist/drummer for Jessica Care Moore's The Daughters Of Betty, formerly known as Black Women Rock, an art show and tribute concert to funk/rock icon, Betty Davis. During her tour with hip-hop artist Mahogany Jones, in 2017, Aisha visited Kathmandu, Nepal as a cultural ambassador through the Arts Envoy Program. She also recorded and toured with neo soul pioneers, Les Nubians, to play at the critically acclaimed Smokin’ Grooves Music Festival in Oakland, California. Another notable collaboration was with the legendary Amp Fiddler (RIP). Her various accolades include the Kresge Foundation’s Gilda Snowden Award (2018) and the Art X Detroit Award (2019).
Aisha’s present endeavors include serving as the drummer for the multi-genre band Mollywop, which dropped its debut album, Stand Up! during the summer of 2019. Prior to the pandemic, she presented Beautiful Places and Freedom Spaces, a visual arts exploration of the injustices faced by marginalized communities. Her art and activism also blend through her work with the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network. Along with cultivating crops at the D-Town Farm, she has taught organic farming to local children. Aisha’s efforts to heal others holistically are felt through her work as an experienced dance teacher/fitness instructor, herbalist, and as a certified colon hydrotherapist. As a mother, she has raised a son who is a trained trumpet player, emcee and producer with his own group, and a daughter who is a visual artist and owner of an origami business.
Along with her past international appearances, Aisha has graced the stage at seminal events such as the Women In Hip-Hop Annual Women's Month Concert, African World Festival (2022) and Detroit Rocks the Runaway (2019 and 2022). In the summer of 2023, she was featured in the Detroit Free Press for her work as an instructor for the Girls Rock Detroit Summer Camp.
The multifaceted maven was set to tour internationally, yet the pandemic hit, pushing her to birth her debut EP, Luck and Favor. Released exclusively on vinyl and digital download, in late 2023, Luck or Favor is a collaborative blend of hip-hop vibes, funk and fusion jazz. The instrumental opus evokes feelings of joy and adventurous emotions as it motivates the listener. Produced by P-Gruv and Piper Carter, and written by Aisha, features include Dez Anders, William Pope, James Shelton, Jon Dixon and others. She is the first artist on the independent, Hipnotech Records.
Aisha’s original song, “Should We Be Here,” is featured in the upcoming short film, Lisa Branch’s A Blade in The Grass. She plans to revive her vocal talent with formal lessons, and learn how to play the bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and keys as she expands her prolific impact.