Elijah: The future is DIY

You might know him for his iconic Yellow Squares, those bold, catchy prompts that have redefined how we talk about creativity, visibility, and value in the age of social media, . What started as bite-sized creative provocations have now evolved into a brilliant new book, Close the App, Make the Ting, a manifesto for artists navigating the noisy world of social media.

But Elijah’s story runs deeper than Instagram. From co-founding the legendary label Butterz and championing grime’s rise, to blending DJing, strategy, and creative education, Elijah has spent over a decade shaping the culture from the inside out.

In this episode, we rewind to where it all began, his love for music, the roots of UK club culture, and how his purpose has shifted along the way. We talk about shaping education after struggling to connect with it himself, and the lessons he’d bake into curriculums if he had the chance. He shares his perspective on DIY vs. labels in 2025, what sustainability really means in a content-driven industry, and the creative thinking behind some of his most powerful Yellow Squares.

This conversation is loaded with insight for anyone making art in the digital age, and it’s powered by Trackstack, the platform designed to help you build a long-term music career. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.