Element

WESTPORT — A local teen rapper who writes and produces his own music aims to set the music industry ablaze with the release of his third album.

Kevin Clark, 16, who raps under the name Element, wants to create an imprint on the rap world with his third album, "Divine Intervention."

"I want to be the next big, respected name," he said. "Anyone can come out and be Soulja Boy and be a one-hit-wonder. To be the next big name and have respect at the same time is something new."




Element, who is a junior at Staples High School, produces, orchestrates and writes his own music.
His sound is multi-layered with string-ladden beats and sing-a-long hooks. His fans compare Element's sound to modern hip-hop wordsmiths like Lupe Fiasco and Kayne West.

"He has the very catchy songs but also includes lyrics in them that will teach people and influence people to listen to his music," said Element fan Celso White.

The Westport rapper expanded his fan base in Fairfield County through his own radio show, where he spun the latest tracks by underground rappers on WWPT 90.3 in Staples High School and also through a performance at Brazilian Festival in Bridgeport last year.

"None of these people knew me, and they showed me ridiculous respect," Element said.

Hip-hop attracted Element because its subject matter often addressed struggle.

Element said he could relate to the lyrics of other rappers because of his own struggles.

When he was 10, he moved in with his aunt and uncle in Florida while his parents were going through their divorce.

"Having to grow up at such a young age and being away from your family, some kids only experience that when they arrive in college," he said. "I had to experience that when I was 10."

Element persevered while facing adversity and he uses his experiences to fuel his music, writing positive rhymes instead of violent street fantasies.

"There are two ways I could have went: It could have effected me in a negative fashion and I could have gone downhill," he said. "I am surprised I was so young, and I still managed to take control of it."

The artist said he tries to create "progressive rap," or songs with a message. His song "Ain't my Fault" addresses his positive stance with lyrics like: "I ain't from the hood/ I ain't got chains around my ankle/ My life is good/ And I ain't done nothing but being thankful (sic)."

Element said the song is one of many factions of progressive rap, and he believes the music industry will take notice of his positive style.

It took a while for his family to embrace the musical path Element chose, but he has slowly won them over.

His mother, Rose Robbins, counts herself as one of his biggest fans and purchased some of the software he uses to create his songs.

"I think he's gifted," she said.

Robbins hopes Element chases his dream of breaking into the music industry by gaining acceptance to a college with a renowned music industry program.

She sees the wide release of his new album as a step forward for his career, as Element's album "Divine Intervention" is available through CD Baby, Napster and iTunes.

Element will be performing a CD release party for "Divine Intervention" at Tocquet Hall, 58 Post Road East, Westport.

Admission is $15 and attendees will receive a copy of the album.

A portion of the proceeds from the album and the concert will go to Save the Children.
- Norwalk Hour

Parental Advisories Just Don't Understand--
If there is a CD shop in the area that still refuses to sell albums with a Tipper sticker (you know, Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics) to teens, local rapper Element wouldn't be able to buy his own disc there. It's a shame because Divine Intervention, which the 16-year-old counts as his third release, contains fewer curse words than a risqué PG-13 movie, mentions of violence and thuggery in terms that definitively denounce them. Plus, the Staples High School junior is donating 40 percent of whatever he makes from the supposedly explicit CD to Save the Children, a Westport-based organization that attempts to root out the causes of childhood poverty, malnutrition and disease across the globe—and that includes the cover fee to today's CD release party, where all attendees will get a copy of Divine Intervention. Please no one card. Toquet Hall Coffee House, 58 Post Road East, Westport. 8 p.m. $15. www.element-recordings.com. - Fairfield Weekly

The new style sperates this album from the rest. The lyrics and beat are smooth and original. this kid really knowns what he is doing. Great Job All Around 5 Stars! - System Kill

This album is awsome. Keep doing this, I know you'll do well - Lt ...