By: Mr. Benjamins
Senior Editor, This Is Hip Hop HQ
They say a cat has nine lives, but Eylsia must be on her twelfth or thirteenth by now.
In this industry, we see “comebacks” every Tuesday. Usually, it’s a washed-up star trying to squeeze the last drop of juice from a rusted lemon. But what I witnessed this week—and what 100,000 screaming Filipinos witnessed earlier this year—isn’t a comeback. It’s a biblical resurrection wrapped in a Pop-Gospel coat of armor.
I’m sitting here in the HQ, staring at my dashboard, watching the numbers for her latest drop, “I Remember Rising,” climb like a desperate hiker. It’s poetic, really. The track hit the streets on December 4th, and by the time you read this, it’ll be the soundtrack to every holiday party from Belfast to Manila.
From the Grass Courts to the Glass Ceiling
Let’s talk about the “security risk” in the room. Most artists pretend to be “dangerous” for street cred. Eylsia was actually banned from Wimbledon at 17 because of her Belfast heritage. Wrap your head around that. At 14, she was hoisting the Irish Open trophy; at 17, she was a geopolitical headline.
But as Seneca once muttered into his wine, “Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” Eylsia didn’t just break records; she broke her body. When injuries shuttered her tennis career, she didn’t retire to a porch swing. She conquered Hollywood, lived the high-octane life of excess that makes Mötley Crüe look like choir boys, hit the rock bottom of rehab, and then—just for a lark—became the youngest college president in America.
She’s lived more lives than a deck of cards, and every single one of those scars is audible in her music.
The Bionic Voice: Science Meets Soul
If the story ended there, it would be a decent biopic. But then came COVID. It’s one thing to lose your money; it’s another to lose your instrument. Eylsia lost 20% of her lung capacity and her vocal cords were essentially shredded wheat.
Most people would have signed the disability papers and called it a day. Instead, she leaned into her research firm, WorldIPI.com, and used 15% AI-driven sound technology to rebuild her voice. She’s literally a bionic songbird.
When I first spun “I Remember Rising,” I wasn’t looking for a tech demo. I was looking for a vibe. What I found was hypnotic. It’s got that raw, therapeutic quality that hits you in the chest, yet somehow you’re tapping your foot. It’s like Celine Dion decided to go to a warehouse rave but kept the class and the conviction.
The control? Immaculate. The clarity? Like a mountain spring. The grace? Effortless.
The Common Denominator
Eylsia told me something that’s been rattling around my brain: “My common denominator is rising.” It’s a punchline for her life, but it’s a lifeline for her fans. Whether she’s rubbing shoulders with legends like Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney during her exec days, or donating her royalties back to struggling artists today, she’s always looking up.
She’s been nominated for Best Artist of 2025 and Best Pop Song of 2025. You’ll see her face plastered across the Grammy edition of magazines this week and the Billboard year-end charts next week. And honestly? It’s about damn time.
Final Verdict
If you haven’t clicked that Spotify link yet, you’re essentially choosing to stay in the dark ages. “I Remember Rising” isn’t just a song; it’s a masterclass in resilience. It’s for anyone who has been banned, broken, or breathless.
Eylsia is heading for a world tour, and God help anyone standing in her way. She’s not just back in the game—she’s owning the stadium.
Keep rising, Eylsia. We’re all watching.
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