Two years ago, Africa’s Gospel, Hip-hop & R& B Star, Steve Kelly who is under the management of this writer, said he wanted to introduce his latest Producer; a physically challenged genius, who would be working on his sophomore album, “Confessions”.

A meeting was scheduled and upon meeting this producer- a very small individual- wheelchair bound- sitting at his computerized mixer with the latest Pro Tool software in the music industry, a shock wave sent a chill through the writer’s body. When the conversation began, the writer was inspired by the Producer’s mannerism, humor, talent, the will to overcome disability and become very successful. The first thought that came to mind was; “To God be the glory, God is an amazing God who has a talent for everyone no matter how physically challenged one is. All one has to do is to believe in oneself and pursue a dream.

An example can be related to music legend Stevie Wonder, who overcame adversity to become a legend and Nick Vujicic, the man of God from Australia, first born child to a devout christian couple, born limbless, missing both arms at shoulder level, and having one small foot with two toes protruding from his left thigh. Initially his parents were devastated, however Nick turned out to be otherwise perfectly healthy. The motivational speaker has been blessed with the annointing words to inspire millions of people around the world.

He is the Director for Life Without Limbs, an organization for the physically disabled.

*Simon Illa intro



A quote from New Mobility magazine posted on a wall in his living room reads; *”He’s 3 feet tall, his bones are brittle, and he uses a wheel chair - what makes him think he can make it in the music biz? He believes in himself, and that’s all he needs.* ”

In Ghana, many physically challenged have lost confidence and are on the streets begging for their daily bread. They have lost hope due to their disability. Well for those physically challenged Ghanaians who think God has forgotten about them - as Kirk Franklin puts it, “Here is the pain medicine”. Ghanaweb is putting a spotlight on SIMON ILLA, the Super Producer, beatmaster, sound engineer, arranger, a music industry heavyweight, and one of the most sought after music producers of R&B, Hiphop, Reggae in America (never been busier) and a businessman.

Simon Illa is an inspiration to the many physcally challenged around the world. He truly believes in himself and he is taking his God given talent to another level. He is also helping Steve Kelly – Ghanaian/Liberian gospel sensation to become one of the best African Gospel, Hip-Hop & R&B artist in the world.

Simon Illa is the name known in the music industry and he prefers to be known by that name. He has been featured in many magazines such as; Urban Hits with Jay Z, Blender, New Mobility, 215 Hip-hop, Philadelphia, MIC and others.

Asked how he got that name, SIMON ILLA, he said a friend made a comparison of his size to the character in the movie; Simon Birch where the major character was “really a small guy” he said. Because of his incredible Hiphop beats he was told by his friend; “You are ILLA” meaning in the streets for greatness hence the name SIMON ILLA.

Read his story and be inspired

He was born in a small town called Paris in the state of Illinois, 31 years ago. His mother died when he was 3 and dad was a guitar player in a band. He was also raised by his grandmother who was a nurse.

He went to a high school at Paris School, he started playing guitar as a teenager, recording before going to college. At the age of 15, he saw a documentary on one of his favorite bands which he wanted to remain nameless making one of their albums. He and his friends would watch the documentary over and over again.

He kept his focus on the Producer, was very inspired, moved by him and made Simon remarked, “That would be the coolest thing to do”.

He joined a band while in college and recorded the bands’s first album. Graduated at Indiana State University in 1999 in Physcal Geography and Climatology. The interesting story was; he was kicked out of the music class for failing to read.

Professionally he has been producing for 8 years and Simon who operates his studio in his Penthouse Condominium located in Center City Philadelphia had just returned from a Producers Conference in Miami, Florida.

He has interacted with many of the industry ’s heavyweights like P Diddy, Scott Storch, Timbaland and others. He has worked on an album for one of Scott Storch’s artiste and has signed to Timbaland’s camp through Timbaland’s manager; Bill Pettaway. He has received an Emmy nomination for a “9/11″ Production, has done tour productions for Floetry, Vivian Greene, Jeff Majors (Worked on album) and a whole list of other artists/soundtracks can be found on; myspace.com/simonilla.

How he met Steve Kelly

He met Steve through a group called; Glories Lamps International. He heard his demos and Steve asked Simon could work on some of his tracks. The first thing he saw about Steve was that, he was passionate about his music.

Simon felt he could guide Steve and prepare a product which will be commercially viable; where people would want to buy. He feels Steve is definitely growing in the industry and working with him to get better. Steve and Simon are close buddies.

Steve Kelly on Simon

He first talked to Simon on the phone but did not know he was physically challenged. When he entered his living room which he used as a studio, in his mind, he was not happy with a physically challenged person producing his music.

There was no mixed board and Simon had a little keyboard. To him it was not impressive. But then working together on the first song, he could not believe the level of production he was getting because it was the best he ever tasted as an artist. Simon is a very funny character, he will make you smile always. Through Simon, Steve says he has grown in the music industry and has become competitive to the American level of music.

He recommends Simon to any artiste who would like to meet the music industry standard worldwide and also commercially viable. For more information on Simon, contact management@simonilla.com

Steve on physically challenged

Steve encourages every physically challenged person that every being is wonderfully made by God in his image so they should believe in themselves that they too can succceed. He has dedicated a song to the physically challenged and is one of the tracks on his new project destined for 2008 release entitlted; Zero to Hero, and produced by Simon Illa.

Steve says Simon was inspired by that song and asked what went through his mind to write such a song. Simon also admitted that he was inspired by that song and as a producer, he is always inspired by great songs.

World of advice for the physically challenged and people who need to be inspired

Simon says; “You cannot let anything limit you whether it is somone else’s opinion or your own. Don’t let anybody say you cannot do that. Who are they to tell you? That is what his grandmother taught him. He went on to say that any physically challenged person should ask themselves, what can I do?

Simon Illa thought about what he wanted to do and that was producing music. He has succeeded in a very competitive music industry and is taking it to the next level. “SIMON ILLA IS THE ILLEST” (greatest of them all). He has proved that disability is not limited to begging on the streets for money. The thought of being disable can be overcome if the physically challenged is inspired to be all they want to be.

Those who are not physically challenged but lack confidence and vision can relate to Simon by asking themselves; what they think they can do? They should not listen to people and all they need is believing in themselves. SIMON ILLA IS INDEED AN INSPIRATION TO ALL, DISABILITY IS NOT A LIFE SENTENCE TO BEG, THINK, SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO BE AND DO IT!!

Also fans worldwide who have been touched by this feature can watch his amazing story (SIMON ILLA PODCAST) and be inspired on his personal website; www.simonilla.com.