Get your mourning veils out of the moth balls, folks, because Idris Elba is removing himself from our lives. Fortunately, he promises to do it slowly – just changing directions and leaning away – gently so as not to hurt us… Sorry, I started writing a completely different post there. No, this is about Idris moving away from his acting career so he can focus more on music. Idris has been making music almost as long as he’s been acting, both recording and DJing since the early aughts. We know that Idris landed the prime gig of DJing Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s reception. He fulfilled his dream of playing Coachella in 2019. He’s been held back by others telling him that if people hated his music, both his musical and acting career would be dead. At this point in his career, Idris is ready to risk that and put all his effort into music.
Idris Elba is planning to go all in on his music career.
The Sonic The Hedgehog 2 star, 49, told Vanity Fair for the magazine’s 2022 Hollywood Issue that he hopes to “lean away from the acting work” to dedicate his full attention to music-making in the coming years.
Elba played a deejay on Netflix’s Turn Up Charlie series, and has explored other musical endeavors, including performing at Coachella in 2019 and serving as deejay for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding reception.
“Some may think, ‘Well, it will be the death of your acting if your music’s s—.’ I’ve dealt with the internal struggle of that over the years. So now I’m at peace and I’ve chosen: This is what I’m doing, and I’m going to do it. Some will love it and some will hate it,” Elba said of pursuing music to Vanity Fair.
He added, “The thing about making music is it’s a very consuming process. It’s very difficult to shoot a movie and then go off into the studio or make a song. It’s like trying to build a soufflé while making a brick wall.”
The British actor previously told PEOPLE that he has loved music since he was 4 years old, when he was first “mesmerized by the turntable going around and around.”
“I’ve worked my whole life to play at Coachella. I made it at 46!” he said at the time. “I nearly passed out when I found out.”
Uhm – “The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 star”? Like, I get that the intent is to push celebrities’ latest work but if the story is about stepping away from a prodigious career, perhaps they could have selected a better example than that. As for Idris moving away from acting for music, I’m happy for him. He’s obviously financially secure enough to do this, he should pursue his passion. I don’t know his music but he’s good enough to go on stage at Coachella and DJ a royal wedding. Obviously, he has an established fanbase. Plus, music is allowed to evolve, much more than most acting careers. And if he loves it, then he should go for it. Creativity like that courses through the artists’ veins. If they are willing to take the hit from the critics to make their art, more power to them. Play on, my friend.
As for visibility, we have a much better chance of getting to see Idris for years longer with a musical career than an acting career. Parts dry up, but hell, almost 80-year-old Paul McCartney is going out on tour again. We can’t seem to stop Mick Jagger from touring, and nothing can take Keith Richards down, apparently. Look at the concerts coming to your area, all of those suckers can collect social security. So, this whole music thing will work for all of us. Idris is happy because he’s living his dream and we’re happy because, well – Idris.
Photo credit: InStar Images and Backgrid
Covid made many people question their direction in life. Looks like Idris decided he’d rather be doing something else too. And given his experience he certainly has some ability. So all the best for him.
Oh, Hecate, you probably should have listened to some of his music before writing this post.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2okS1Nwi0I
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLL
I am a fan. But this is so bad. My ears are burning.
ETA: I have to say that I keep coming back to that video and watching it again since digging up the link earlier. It’s just such a trainwreck, I can’t stop.
My entire body cringes when he gets to the line, “let me into your secret garden.” The part where they paint words and hearts on each other’s bodies, his New Balance sneakers while dancing awkwardly in front of the ocean . . . gah! I’ve tortured myself.
The first time I saw that video it took months for it to stop being the first thing I thought of whenever I saw Idris. I have no idea how long it’s going to take this time . . .
Lol. You’re right that clip you just shared is hilarious. He needs to stick to acting. Wow. That was bad.
Well….the last time I experienced anything musical from Idris it was….Cats.
Godspeed I guess? 😬
Hmm, he released an EP in Australia last year with an indie band. I preferred Snoop Lion if I’m ranking not great reggae inspired stunt albums but maybe that’s just me. It was fairly well received I think, if not memorable at all.
And I say that as a big fan of Idris and Lime Cordiale. He’s got the cool factor to make it work- I’d probably buy a ticket to one of his shows tbh.
Noooo! What happened to the Luther movie they promised us? Too bad he didn’t get to play Bond. He’s one of my faves but life is too short so wishing him the best.
@Chantal, I just double checked, and the Luther movie has already been filmed, thank goodness, even if I’m wary due to series 4, otherwise known in my household as “The Series-That-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
Not to give away spoilers here, but there better be a great part for Ruth Wilson, is all I’m saying. Alice is my favorite anti-hero in modern pop culture and that’s due pretty much entirely to how fantastic Ruth Wilson is in every role she plays.
@Terra Thanks for the update. They had been promising a movie for so long I just gave up. And ditto re: Ruth Wilson. Her portrayal of Alice is what made me a fan of hers.
I’ve heard one of his EDM songs, it was catchy enough. If he’d been DJing when I went to Ibiza, I probably would have enjoyed his sets. I’ll miss seeing him on screen – I mean, look at him! But if music is what makes him happy, he should go for it.
Love the pink Gucci jacket on him. Can he at least make music videos so we can look at him while he’s singing? Please?
His face in the last picture is so kissable.