Idris Elba

Idris Elba is best known for his roles in The Wire, The Office, and Luther. Elba has also appeared in American Gangster, Thor, and Pacific Rim. He has also made a name for himself as a DJ, producer, rapper, and singer. The actor's father was born in Sierra Leone and his mother is from Ghana. Elba attended the National Youth Music Theatre on a grant from the Prince's Trust. He started acting in student productions and working for his uncle's DJ business when he was 14.

In 1991, Elba began spinning at London nightclubs using the stage name DJ Big Driis. In 2002, he landed his breakthrough American role, Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell on the HBO drama series The Wire. In 2006, he released an EP, Big Man, under the name Driis, and the following year he wrote and produced a track for Jay-Z's album ‘American Gangster.’ In 2012, he performed guest vocals on Milk's Tales from the Thames Delta and also handled backing vocals and percussion on Macy Gray's 2012 collection ‘Covered.’ In July 2009, Elba announced the release of his first single 'Please Be True' and performed a rap for the second album by Noel Fielding and Sergio Pizzorno's band, the Loose Tapestries. In July 2018, he launched his record label, 7Wallace Music. Elba released an album inspired by his role in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The album, Mi Mandela, was released in November 2014 & includes guest musicians such as James Blake, Mr. Hudson and Cody ChestnuTT.