Navy Blue

Sage Gabriel Carlos Atreyu Elsesser, born January 31, 1997, is an American skateboarder, rapper, record producer, visual artist, and model, known professionally as Navy Blue. Elsesser’s multifaceted career spans the worlds of skateboarding, music, and fashion, reflecting his diverse talents and interests. He gained prominence as a skateboarder, joining the professional ranks in 2014 through the skater collective and clothing store Fucking Awesome (FA). His sponsorships with notable brands such as Converse and Supreme have further established him as a significant figure in the skateboarding community.

In addition to his skateboarding career, Elsesser is well-regarded in the music industry. He began releasing music under the Navy Blue moniker in 2015, quickly making a name for himself with his experimental hip-hop EPs. His early work attracted the attention of prominent underground rappers like Earl Sweatshirt, Mach-Hommy, MIKE, King Carter, Adé Hakim, and Pink Siifu. Elsesser’s involvement in the music scene extends beyond his own releases; he has collaborated with a range of artists and has been involved in producing and rapping for various projects.

Elsesser’s artistic endeavors also include his role as a visual artist. He notably handled the art direction for Earl Sweatshirt’s critically acclaimed 2015 album I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, showcasing his versatility and creative vision. His engagement in the art world complements his work in music and skateboarding, highlighting his broad creative skills.

In February 2020, Elsesser founded his independent record label, Freedom Sounds, marking a significant step in his music career. The launch of the label coincided with the release of his debut studio album, Àdá Irin. He continued to build on this success with the release of Song of Sage: Post Panic! later that year and Navy’s Reprise in 2021. These albums established his distinctive sound and solidified his position in the music industry.

The year 2022 saw Elsesser release a unique quadrilogy of albums, including Gift of Gabriel: Rain’s Reign!, Crypt of Carlos: Onward!, and Arc of Atreyu: Neverending!. These albums were part of a vinyl box set, with the latter three titles being available exclusively in physical format. The quadrilogy showcased Elsesser’s creativity and his ability to craft intricate and thematic music projects.

In 2023, Elsesser signed with Def Jam Recordings and released his lead single “Chosen” on March 10. This was followed by the release of his seventh studio album, Ways of Knowing, on March 23. The album, released under his label Freedom Sounds and licensed exclusively to Def Jam, featured collaborations with artists such as Zeroh, J Rocc, Kelly Moonstone, Liv.e, and Venna, and was produced entirely by Budgie.

Elsesser’s discography includes several studio albums and extended plays, with notable releases such as Memoirs in Armour in 2024, According to the Waterbearer (2015), Lately (2016), and collaborations like As Above So Below (2021) with Ankhlejohn and True Sky (2021) with Akai Solo. His work across different mediums demonstrates his wide-ranging talents and contributions to skateboarding, music, and visual art.