Eli-Mac

Born Ciara-Camile Roque Velasco, Eli-Mac is the bold, genre-defying voice of a new generation of island soul. A proud Filipino-American raised in Maui, Hawaii, she emerged into the public eye at just 18 as a Top 10 finalist on American Idol Season 3. But that was only the beginning. With a style rooted in reggae, blended with the grit of hip-hop and the smooth soul of R&B, Eli-Mac has forged her own path—one marked by fearlessness, authenticity, and fierce independence.

Her breakthrough came with the Dubstop EP, a genre-blending five-song statement piece that introduced fans to her signature "urban island" style—a hypnotic fusion of roots reggae, hip-hop swagger, and sultry soul. Tracks like “Roots Girl” and “Can’t Get Enough” became anthems of resistance and identity, while earlier singles like “Mr. Sensi” featuring Conkarah made waves with her outspoken support of cannabis culture.

Rebranding as Eli-Mac (Camile spelled backwards) wasn’t a reinvention—it was a revelation. Free from industry expectations, she stepped fully into her voice, drawing inspiration from ‘90s icons like Lauryn Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, and Erykah Badu, as well as classic rock, jazz, disco, and reggae passed down from her parents’ record collection. It’s a sound that’s both familiar and completely her own.
From recording “Guava Jelly” at Jamaica’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios under the guidance of Stephen Marley—a track that won her the Hawaii Music Award for Single of the Year—to touring across the U.S. and beyond, Eli-Mac has become a powerful live force. She’s shared the stage with musical giants including Gwen Stefani, Sublime, Shaggy, SOJA, J Boog, Common Kings, and more, building a loyal fanbase.

Currently working on a studio album, Eli-Mac continues evolving while staying grounded in the cultural pride and rebellious spirit that shaped her. “Eli-Mac is an extension of who I really am,” she says. “It’s about freedom—from stereotypes, from expectations—and the freedom to be real.”