legend
By Keesha D. Fox
“I’m not just a rapper, I’m a political activist,” said Philip Ivantsov, known as eLiGuL during an interview for an article about local artists on April 8.
eLiGuL and friend Aliosha Reznikov traveled to Temple Hills, Md. from Rockville, Md. to rip the mic during the weekly open-mic showcase at The Legends nightclub.
eLiGuL, a 23-year-old Russian native, got on stage and rocked the crowd with his song “One Nation.”
He said he used his music to express his beliefs.
“Music is an expression of soul, and an expression of self,” eLiGuL said.
eLiGuL lived to entertain and educate people through music and films.
But while filming his movie, “Jolly MOB Cab,” eLiGuL was tragically killed in a train accident.
News of his death traveled fast around the Washington metro area to the people he touched with his music and films.
“I feel like all people that are great just die an untimely death,” said James Fox, known as Griz. “All people who are about something.”
Fox met eLiGuL at The Legends nightclub a month earlier.
“After he died, all the stuff he was saying about being an activist really came out,” Fox said.
According to Elizabeth Suleiman, mother of eLiGuL’s girlfriend Maryam, he hated the condition of the world and the government.
In fact, the name eLiGuL stood for End Lies Inside Government Unite Lives.
Through his activism, he tried to show how the world could be better, said Suleiman.
eLiGuL began his quest of world unity after hearing the words of rapper Tupac Shakur.
After listening to Shakur’s music given to him by a friend of his brother, eLiGuL started his mission.
While on his mission, eLiGuL brought along anyone he could help promote.
He produced, directed and recorded with many local artists.
Fellow rapper Aliosha, who met eLiGuL seven years ago, said he never met a more unique person.
“All the money made from his work was dedicated to one goal; helping people that couldn’t help themselves,” Aliosha said.
Aliosha, also known as Shy, describes eLiGuL as an activist, entertainer, writer, actor, director and producer.
“He was 23, and working on his thirteenth rap album,” said Aliosha. “
eLiGuL spent all of his days working for a cause.
“He is one of the few people in the world who lived truly for what he believed, day in and day out,” said Walu, a childhood friend.
Walu, 23, said eLiGuL documented everything.
“His funeral was even documented with his own camera,” Walu said.
eLiGuL posted many of his films and videos on different Internet forums such as Myspace and YouTube.
He also used the Internet to post blogs and set up meetings to discuss his dreams of world unity.
eLiGuL created many websites to promote his message. eLiGuL productions website showcases artists he worked with musically and directed.
On these different web forums, fans express their grief over the loss of someone that is described as “beyond explanation,” according to Walu.
Those who knew eLiGuL remember his words of wisdom as they pay tribute on his Myspace page.
Many express their sadness and admiration for a man who left quite an impression on the world with his words of inspiration.
During the interview for the article on local artists, eLiGuL’s last words to the reporter were “There are many names to me; I am a legend.”
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