New Artist Feature: BET Music Matters Artist Elle Varner

Elle Shellise Varner (born February 12, 1989) is an American recording artist and musician. She was raised in Los Angeles, California by her mother and father who both happen to be songwriters and publishers. At age six she began to play musical instruments, beginning with the flute, and later piano and guitar. She attended many music programs including Amazing Grace Conservatory and The Hamilton Academy of Music's Vocal Jazz Group. In 2008 Varner graduated from NYU's renowned Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music. In October 2009 she signed with MBK/J-RCA Records along with a co-publishing agreement with Sony Music.[2] Her debut single "Only Wanna Give It to You" features J. Cole and was released August 16, 2011. The song serves as the lead single off her upcoming album Perfectly Imperfect.