MAJOR88KEYS: BUILDING MORE THAN RECORDS

In the music industry, getting a placement is one thing. Building a career that continues to grow beyond the placement is another. Kelvin Ellison Jr., professionally known as Major88Keys, has been doing exactly that.

Producer, musician, songwriter, engineer, DJ, entrepreneur and mentor are all titles that have become part of the Major88Keys story. While his production résumé includes recognizable names across R&B and Hip-Hop, his journey started long before major artist credits entered the picture.

Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Major88Keys grew up surrounded by music. As the son of a pastor, the church became an early foundation for his musicianship. He began playing drums around the age of 12 before expanding into piano, keyboards, organ and guitar.

Even his professional name represents that musical foundation. “Major” connects to music theory, while “88 Keys” represents the 88 keys of a full-sized piano. The number carries another connection as well—he was born in 1988.

As his musicianship developed, Major88Keys transitioned into session work, songwriting, engineering and music production. By around 2014, his professional journey in the music business was beginning to take shape, eventually leading to a catalog that crosses R&B, Hip-Hop, Trap, Soul and Gospel.

His production credits include VEDO featuring Natasha Mosley’s “4 Walls,” VEDO featuring Lee Mazin’s “IFWU,” Sammie’s “Be Alone,” Kevin Gates’ “With The Lights Off Pt. 2,” Bezz Believe and Kevin Gates’ “Mouth Full of Diamonds,” Brian Angel of Day26’s “ASAP” and “One Time,” OJ Da Juiceman’s “Turn Up For A Check,” NLE Choppa and Claudia B’s “Pocket,” PeeWee Longway and V12’s “Bank Challenge,” Montana of 300’s “Who TF Is You,” Lil Trill’s “My Bitch,” and Dolly White & Dora’s “Money and The Power.”

His work has also moved beyond traditional music releases. Major88Keys has secured a television placement connected to FOX’s Empire, adding visual-media and sync experience to his growing résumé.

But focusing solely on his credits would miss one of the most important parts of his story.

Major88Keys has continued evolving from someone who simply creates music into someone who understands the importance of creating opportunities.

Throughout his career, he has developed business ventures including In The Studio Cookin Productions, MajorHitz LLC and I.T.S.C. Music Academy. Through I.T.S.C. Music Academy, he has been able to take years of experience and use that knowledge to help educate aspiring musicians and producers.

His commitment to development has also extended into youth music initiatives and mentorship. Major88Keys has been involved in efforts that provide young creatives with hands-on exposure to music production and audio engineering, while his professional background has included involvement with the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter.

Mentorship has come full circle in his career. Earlier in his journey, Major88Keys had opportunities to learn from established industry professionals, including respected songwriter and producer Troy Taylor. Today, he is increasingly in a position to share his own experiences with the next generation.

That same mentality can be seen in his involvement with songwriting camps and collaborative music events.

For independent artists, producers and songwriters, these rooms can be just as important as the records themselves. A songwriting session can turn into a placement. A placement can create a relationship. And one solid relationship can lead to opportunities years later.

Major88Keys’ journey is a reminder that networking isn’t simply about collecting contacts or taking pictures with influential people. Real networking is about building relationships, creating value and being prepared when an opportunity presents itself.

Preparation is something he has spoken about publicly as well. One surprisingly practical piece of advice he has offered developing creatives is to maintain a travel fund.

It makes sense.

The call that changes your career may not happen in your hometown. A session, writing camp, meeting or last-minute opportunity could require you to get on a plane or drive to another city. Talent may get someone’s attention, but preparation determines whether you’re actually able to capitalize on the opportunity.

That mindset represents what makes the Major88Keys story worth paying attention to.

He isn’t simply relying on being a producer.

He has expanded into musicianship, engineering, songwriting, DJing, education, mentorship and entrepreneurship while continuing to build relationships within the industry. Instead of waiting for a traditional industry structure to determine the direction of his career, he has worked to create his own infrastructure around his talent.

And that’s an important lesson for today’s independent creative.

Make the music, but learn the business. Build the relationships, but bring value to them. Take the opportunities, but eventually learn how to create opportunities for somebody else.

Major88Keys has already built a catalog worth recognizing, but his story is becoming bigger than the records attached to his name.

From the young musician learning instruments in church to the producer working with established artists, and from entrepreneur to educator and mentor, Major88Keys is building something intended to exist long after the beat stops playing.

And perhaps that’s the biggest difference between chasing a moment and building a legacy.

Follow Major88Keys: @officialmajor88keys