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Jonnica Hill

Elysia Marie's "Persecute Me" is THE empowerment anthem

The rising star blends pop, soul & rock on this Avengers-inspired single.


Powerhouse Pop-Soul-Rock singer-songwriter Elysia Marie recently released a bold

new single, “Persecute Me.” A wildly captivating song, the single is just the latest impressively edgy and emotional release from the Chicago-born, Lansing/Eaton Rapids-raised artist.


This track began as an impromptu living-room writing session with Elysia’s partner, Damarr Salahudin, after the pair had watched Avengers End Game and felt inspired by the film’s opening track, Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Even crazier, the pair knew they had landed the right producer when they learned Brendan Davies had worked with the band on tour. The result is a powerful, empowering and fun anthem about expression and desire across all areas of your life.


“In this version, it isn’t just about the sexual part of what you need, but more on a full intimacy level, which could mean something different to different people. I really loved that it was also written in a way, where it can be interpreted differently based on the listener. Someone recently told me that they felt like it was a song about not caring what society thinks, telling society, ‘Well, Persecute me!’… and I loved that interpretation too because honestly, it’s how I feel.”


Recorded at what is now Classic Studios in Chicago, IL, Elysia had a rewarding experience working with engineer & producer Michael Kolar and her partner Damarr - who she says has an impressive ability to tap into the true essence of women’s empowerment and feelings.


“It’s because he respects women so much, and is such a good person who is also in tune with me. He captures my heart so well, and is the best collaborator and songwriting visionary.”

Because she found the song so fun to sing, Elysia had to fight the urge to belt everything. She worked hard to pick and choose the right moments to pull back with the help of vocal harmony arranger Tosha Marie. She also worked with highly respected UK Blues musician Eddie Martin, who played the guitar and harmonica on the track.


With the track out now, Elysia is incredibly proud to have seen the song come so far from its living-room beginnings and hopes listeners feel the sultry blues vibes while inviting them to assign it their own meaning.


“The title of the song can be controversial, but all in all this song is meant to be a really fun, bluesy rock empowerment record. So, I want them to feel it all.”


Find "Persecute Me" & more new music on The Jam Archives playlist:


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