Today we’d like to introduce you to Eliza Javaheri
Eliza, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My whole life, I’ve been an artist. Music runs in my blood. I started singing pretty much as soon as I could talk, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to perform. Growing up, I was surrounded by Hip Hop—my older brother introduced me to a lot of the 90s classics. Around the age of 10, I discovered 2Pac, Nas, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and that’s when my passion for the art of rap really began to take shape.
In 2012, I made the daring decision to pursue music full-time, leaving my last “real job” behind and investing my savings into my dream. I started working on an album with local Hip Hop legend Swamburger, who took me under his wing and helped me hone my skill and start to build my brand as an artist. Recognizing my ability to both sing and rap at a high skill level, he encouraged me to focus more on rap, as it was a rare sight for women in the genre to rap like I did. And I got even better.
As my career evolved, I began traveling across the country and even internationally to discover new music scenes, network, build relationships, and expand my fanbase. I also rebranded from “Eternity” to “E-Turn,” a name that symbolized new chapters and fresh perspectives in my life and career. That also gifted us with the idea of my logo— a street sign with “E-Turn” on it instead of “U-Turn.”
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of opening for legendary artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Talib Kweli, and collaborating with artists like KRS-One, Guilty Simpson, Opio, Myka 9, and Homeboy Sandman. The road has had its challenges, but it’s also been filled with amazing experiences, valuable life and business lessons, and has opened doors for more creative endeavors like voiceover and sync licensing for TV and film. The journey also taught me that success in music doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of years of dedication, perseverance, and navigating burnout.
When the pandemic hit, I was forced to adapt. I shifted my focus to livestream performances, voiceover work, and creating music for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The shutdown also led me to explore non-profit work, where I taught young people about Hip Hop music and culture, hoping to inspire the next generation of artists. “Each One, Teach One” is a principle in Hip Hop that I strive to live by.
Last year, after a 2-month long tour, I decided to go full-time time as a voiceover artist. All the divine signs pointed that way, and with live music still struggling to return to its pre-pandemic energy, it felt like the right path to take.
Through it all, my brand, E-Turn, has come to represent breaking barriers, particularly for women in Hip Hop and now voiceover as well. I aim to use my music and voice to uplift and empower others, showing that we can succeed in industries where we are often underrepresented.
My mission is to create conscious music and meaningful voiceover work that inspires people to chase their dreams, demonstrating that success is rooted in talent, resilience, and authenticity.
I wouldn’t mind getting rich along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but the struggle has been worth it for the most part. I knew I was entering a narrow path when I chose to chase my dream and that it would test me in unimaginable ways.
Independent artists have a lot to deal with—money’s often tight, and we’re usually out here doing everything ourselves, from booking shows and managing our careers to handling distribution and more.
We’re constantly juggling the roles of both artist and businessperson and the product is ourselves. As artists, we are often our own worst critics. Now add the pressure of constantly having to sell yourself as the product—staying confident and pushing your brand even on the days when self-doubt creeps in. It’s not easy, but it’s the reality we face.
That being said, my mental health has struggled a lot along the way and I realized how crucial it is to manage my well-being. Prayer, therapy, exercise and good nutrition is essential. And so is eating a pint of ice cream occasionally.
I’ve also learned that building a team and delegating tasks can make a huge difference, though it’s not always easy—especially without a proper budget. Having people in your corner who truly believe in you is important, and having help with the smaller tasks can make a world of difference. Also, having people to collaborate with creatively can have a huge impact. Find your tribe and ya’ll can grow together!
Despite all the obstacles, I’ve made incredible strides as an artist, reaching heights that many aspire to. I’m not done yet though—the journey is far from over.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Hip Hop artist, balancing both rap and singing in my sets, with a strong reputation for my technical prowess in rap and the conscious themes that run through my music. Music has always been my language, and I’ve had the privilege to take my passion across the world, performing for diverse audiences and collaborating with incredible artists. Along the way, I found my love for voice acting, which has allowed me to bring even more creativity to my work and reach new platforms like TV, film, and video games.
Beyond the stage and the mic, I also pour energy into teaching and empowering youth in under-resourced communities. Through Hip Hop workshops, I share the art, the culture, and the life lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s not just about teaching them music; it’s about helping them find their voice and realize their potential. That’s undoubtedly one of my greatest achievements.
What I’m currently working on:
•I’m performing monthly with the DTO Live! initiative with the United Arts of Central Florida and the City of Orlando in a busking style environment surrounded by local businesses that we collaborate with.
•I’m doing full-time commercial VO work and recently voiced my first car car commercial for Genesis.
•I’m working on some music with Homeboy Sandman, Ceschi Ramos, Guilty Simpson, and Mugs & Pockets in Seattle.
•I’m occasionally teaching youth Hip Hop workshops for various non-profits.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want to shout out some of the many people who have helped me as an artist along the way: Swamburger, Adam (my big bro), Ken The Rapper, Ceschi Ramos, Chris Goyzueta, Eighth Letter, AmiAm, Homeboy Sandman, my therapist Joy, Jim Myers, Beth McKee, DJ Cub, Maria Pendolino, Tim Friedlander and the NAVA team, Tina Morasco, ALL OF THE AMAZING PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN ME OPPORTUNITIES, and all of my friends and fam who have believed in me. God is good.
Be on the lookout for new music and collaborations with some phenomenal artists!
And listen out for my voice in your favorite commercials and video games. 🙂
Come see me live at a DTO Live! show too!
eturnmusic.info
IG: @eturnmusic
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eturnmusic.info
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/eturnmusic
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/eturnmusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eturnmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/eturnmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/eturnmusic
- E-turn: https://eturn.bandcamp.com/music
- Other: https://eturnmusic.info/voiceover
Image Credits
Photos 2 & 9: Spear Me Pictures
Photos 3&4: K-Mo Snaps
Photo 5: Mastropieces Productions
Photo 7: Tyla Harrington
Photo 8 (artwork): Orign
