In the heart of Minneapolis, a city known for birthing musical legends, a new name is echoing through the underground scene—iLuvSamurai. Born Elijah Ofori, the rising rapper is not only crafting a distinct sonic lane but also rewriting his personal narrative from college athlete to emerging artist. With raw authenticity and emotionally charged lyrics, iLuvSamurai is quickly becoming a name to watch.
iLuvSamurai: An Independent Force in Minneapolis
What sets iLuvSamurai apart is his deep-rooted connection to both music and personal growth. His journey began early—at just five years old—playing piano and singing in the church choir. Years later, life took a turn when his promising football career at the Division 1 level was cut short. But instead of letting setbacks define him, he turned to music, using it as both an outlet and a launching pad.
“My music is an expression of who I am and who I’m becoming,” says iLuvSamurai. “It’s for real people going through real things—anyone can relate to it.” His music style pairs darker, guitar-heavy beats reminiscent of artists like Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely with uplifting, introspective lyrics meant to inspire.
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Collaborations, Growth, and a Movement in the Making
Since officially launching his rap career in early 2024, iLuvSamurai has already started making waves. His first feature dropped in April 2025 with Dallas-based artist Igzotic on a track called “Confessions.” From there, his creativity only expanded. A trip to Toronto for his first live performance led to a collaborative session with local rapper Peazy, resulting in three new songs, including the soon-to-be-released “DIFFERENT ROUTE,” out on all platforms March 28.
His evolution as an artist has also included stepping into production and engineering. Under the guidance of mentor JTC at Toravia Studios, iLuvSamurai helped build the studio from the ground up—literally doing the construction himself. That hands-on experience, he says, was foundational. “Being a part of a bigger dream—learning the ropes behind the scenes—was a major moment in my journey.”
With an eye on self-reliance, he’s now producing many of his own tracks and trusting JTC to handle the final mix and master, forming a potent creative duo.
The Message Behind the Music
iLuvSamurai’s goal isn’t just to create catchy tracks—he wants to empower others. His life experiences, from navigating college setbacks to finding a new path through music, are embedded in every bar. “I want my listeners to feel hope and self-empowerment,” he shares. “You can make mistakes and still chase your passion. You just have to believe in yourself.”
That mindset is reflected in his upcoming projects. His spring EP “##B4GC1” will showcase multiple features and serve as the prelude to his anticipated Halloween mixtape “Gotham City.” Each release is designed to showcase his lyrical evolution while expanding his audience.
Despite being early in his career, iLuvSamurai is already dreaming big—targeting 100k Spotify listeners, aiming for Rolling Loud, and cementing his place in the independent music world. “The fans keep me motivated,” he says. “As long as they keep pressing play, I’ll keep creating.”
Whether he’s delivering powerful punchlines over dark beats or uplifting stories through experimental sounds, one thing is clear—iLuvSamurai is forging a legacy on his own terms, one verse at a time.
