E-Kaine speaks with the kind of raw authenticity that can’t be manufactured, especially when describing his eight-year battle with addiction and his eventual redemption through music. Born Elijah Eubanks, the Michigan artist’s story resonates deeply with listeners who’ve walked similar paths.
His responses come with thoughtful pauses and genuine reflection, particularly when discussing his latest single “Fake Smile,” released November 8th. The track feels less like a song and more like a confession – the kind that makes listeners shift uncomfortably because it hits too close to home.
You started pretty young in music. Take me back to those first moments.
“Man, I was just a kid, about 12, when I discovered Tech N9ne,” he recalls with a half-smile. “Here I was, this outsider at a private school where I stuck out like a sore thumb because my mom was breaking her back just to keep me there. Tech’s lyrics about being different… that hit different, you know?” He pauses, collecting his thoughts. “By 15, I was already in trouble, on probation, thrown into public school. That’s where I found those lunchtime freestyle sessions. Made a complete fool of myself at first,” he adds with a soft laugh.
How did you go from those freestyle sessions to actually making music?
“Started basic, man. Just a laptop, cheap mic, recording in my bedroom,” he explains. “Made this song about my dad that somehow caught on at school. But then…” His voice trails off momentarily. “Life got dark. Really dark. Addiction, homelessness, jail – the whole nine. Everything changed in 2021 though. Found out I was gonna be a father, and something just clicked. Next thing I know, I’m enrolled at LA Film School, studying Music Production, putting out tracks almost every month.”
Tell me about “Fake Smile” – there’s something really raw there.
His tone shifts, becomes more serious. “That track… it’s literally my soul on a beat. Every single line comes from those moments when I was struggling but plastering on this fake smile for the world. Some days I still can’t believe I put something that personal out there, but the responses I’m getting… they make it worth it.”
What’s on the horizon for you?
“Got this EP coming, ‘Tethered to Torment’ – seven tracks, all diving into addiction and mental health. Plus my first full album’s in the works. It’s gonna be heavy – covering everything from gang life to homelessness. But not that glorified stuff you usually hear. This is the real deal, the ugly truth that might help somebody else find their way out.”
E-Kaine represents something different in hip-hop. His tracks – “Disappear,” “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” and “Krown Me King” – have been making waves, with his content on TikTok crossing 100K views. Fans can also follow his journey on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook, where he regularly shares updates about new releases and performances.
For those interested in diving deeper into E-Kaine’s sound, his music is available on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Fans looking to experience his raw energy can catch him at the VFW Hall in Mt. Pleasant, MI (tickets are $10 in presale, $15 at the door).
E-Kaine has managed to turn his darkest moments into light for others. In a genre often criticized for its superficiality, he’s chosen a different path – one of brutal honesty and hard-won hope. As a father, artist, and survivor, his story reminds us that redemption isn’t just possible – sometimes it’s just waiting for the right beat to drop.
