Toledo, Ohio · Rap · Rock · Dance

Ebop Nation

Pureness around darkness. Music for every age and every color.

Rapper, dancer, artist, and the creator of the Ebop. He came up where the streets only taught destruction, and chose to spray positive messages instead.

Ebop in an E.B.O.P headband, throwing up a hand sign
Ebop sitting on a porch in an E.B.O.P durag

Where it started

Born & raised in Toledo, Ohio

Ebop grew up in a rough, violent neighborhood. Nobody there preached positivity. The block only taught destruction and the wrong ways out. He found his own way anyway, and stayed pure around the darkness.

He fought off the evil headed for his heart. He never saw color, only character, and that's why his friends come from everywhere.

“I never seen color. I see character.”

How the Ebop was born

[Origin story of the dance: when, where, what inspired it]

He had people Eboping in every hood of his city. Then it spread across the United States, to other countries, and to people of every background.

His dance and energy crossed state lines and borders through the internet. People feel his aura through the screen. They feel good around him, even though he's still battling a dark past. He fights it so other people can be happy.

The original four meanings

What E-B-O-P stands for

Every letter carries a message. These are the meanings behind the name.

Elevate By Opportunities, Perspective

Evolve, Be Optimistic, Patient

Elijah Be On Point

Ericka Best Outstanding Parent

Every Best Outstanding Parent

The way his mom says it
Young Ebop with his mom, E-Slim, on a Toledo sidewalk

For his mom

E-Slim

His mom, Ericka, is known as E-Slim. One of the original meanings of Ebop is for her: Ericka Best Outstanding Parent.

She says it her own way: Every Best Outstanding Parent. Her heart is full of joy, and she gives credit to every parent, because she cares and doesn't want to leave anybody out.

Every Best Outstanding Parent.

More than one lane

If he puts his mind to it, he does it

He adapts to any job he takes on. Here's what he brings.

MusicRap with rock fire. Loves every genre, even music without words.
DanceCreator of the Ebop. Energy that speaks for itself.
Abstract artDrawings and paintings straight from the mind.
ComedySkits and funny videos.
FilmWrites his own movies.
TrainingPersonal trainer. Body and mind.
MentorA listener for anyone going through it.
AnimeA lifelong fan, and it shows in his style.

The long way

He did this all on his own

No famous cousin put him on. No famous uncle either.

He built Ebop with his personality, his network, and his leadership. It was hard. He worked a regular nine-to-five to invest in himself, and he cried many nights wondering if it was going to work.

His life goes up and down. Sometimes he posts every day for a month, then goes quiet for six. He's doing it all by himself, and he chose the long way because he believes it's the right one.

Family

Showing up for the people who matter.

Money

Building from nothing, no label, no shortcuts.

Home

Keeping going when the ground moves.

Battles

Facing what comes and still choosing positivity.

Ebop leading a march through Toledo with a megaphone

Peaceful leader · Activist

March kindness to beat the madness

When Toledo took to the streets, Ebop was on the front line. He led marches, picked up the megaphone, and became one of the voices of the movement.

He was harassed by law enforcement. His mind knew that if he fought, the people would fight with him. But his heart told him he didn't want anybody getting hurt. Even when they were beaten and harassed, something in his heart told him to keep going, and keep it peaceful.

“Peace always wins, even when it looks like it's losing.”

He was taught to dislike a certain color. He chose the opposite. He doesn't let one person of any race ruin it for everyone. We all have our own personality and beliefs, and all colors come as one.

“We don't want violence. We want love. We want unity.”Ebop, at the Toledo protest, as quoted by 13abc
Ebop standing calm with his hands behind his back in front of police in riot gear
Protesters marching with hands raised and Black Lives Matter signs Ebop and a fellow organizer walking with fists raised Ebop kneeling in the street holding a megaphone Group with fists raised in front of a Love Lives Here mural
March for the Hood flyer: June 14th at 2pm, City Park off Nebraska Ave. Stop Black on Black crime. Organized by E Bop for the Black community.

For the community

March for the Hood

He also organized March for the Hood at City Park, off Nebraska Ave, to take a stand against Black on Black crime.

The same streets that taught destruction saw him bring people together instead.

Wear the movement

Ebop Nation shirts

The character, the name, the message. People across the city are wearing Ebop.

Ebop cartoon character in a yellow EBOP headband with fists up Ebop on the street wearing the white Ebop Nation shirt and matching mask Close-up of the white Ebop Nation shirt with the character print A supporter holding two Ebop Nation shirts
Ebop Nation bandana logo

The online shop is coming soon. Shirts will be printed and shipped when you order.

Graphics

His life, drawn out

Cover art made for Ebop that shows his personality and his story.

Tune in

Music & live streams

New songs, live sessions, and a look at his everyday life.

Live streams

Catch Ebop live: music, conversation, and real talk.

Watch & listen

Music videos, dances and more. A song for all ages and all ethnicities, with Spotify and Apple Music on the way.

In My Head cover art: Ebop writing in a notebook under a desk lamp

New single · Coming soon

In My Head

The next chapter from Ebop Nation. Stay tuned for the drop.

As featured in Breakthrough Magazine

Ebop Nation: the rising Ohio rap artist mixing rock influences with lyrical fire

Read the feature

Talk to Ebop

Going through something?

It doesn't matter if you're popular or not, rich or poor. We all go through something. If you genuinely want to change and you're ready to stick with it, reach out.

You have to want it. Then you have to stick to it.

In crisis or thinking about hurting yourself? Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) any time. Ebop is here to listen, but he isn't an emergency service.