Elijah Taylor: From The Highest Levels In Rugby League To Taking His Music To Another Level

Elijah Taylor has had a great Rugby League career, playing 186 NRL, 39 Super League games, and representing New Zealand eleven times. Now playing for the Featherstone Rovers, Taylor also pursues another passion of his, music. 

Going by the name “BOY MUSIC”, he has released multiple singles and freestyles using experiences from his life to create music that is meaningful and impactful. His “ENIGMA” and “The Proteus Effect Mixtape” feature tracks such as, “GROWING PAINS”, “BROKEN HOME”, “LET YOU GO”, “GRATEFUL”, and more.

Born in Taranaki, New Zealand, Taylor attended Patea High School before moving to Kaitaia in the Far North District of New Zealand in his early teens, where he’d attend Kaitaia College.

His love for Rugby League came by watching Sonny Bill Williams dominate for the Bulldogs. With no Rugby League teams to play for in Taranaki at the time, Taylor and his friends would often try to replicate SBW’s offloads and big hits in the local park.

Whilst Rugby League remained a dream, Taylor had a successful career as a junior in Rugby Union. Going on to be an age group representative for Taranaki, Northland and Auckland.

He finally got the chance to play Rugby League following a move to Auckland in 2006, where he spent his final two years of High School at St Paul’s College. A school known for producing great New Zealand talent such as Nigel Vagana and Stacey Jones.

Showing how talented he was, after playing just 15 games of Rugby League, Taylor earned a development contract with the New Zealand Warriors. As well as go on to earn selection for the New Zealand Māori Under-18s side in 2007.

He made his debut for the Warriors under-20s team the following year in the National Youth Competition. Where he was rewarded for a great season, winning the 2008 Warriors’ Young Player of the Year award.

He would back it up the next year with another standout season. Where he earned the inaugural Sonny Fai Medal after being named the 2009 Junior Warriors’ rugby league player of the year.

Whilst it ended on a great personal achievement, 2009 was also meant to see him make his first grade debut. However things were halted due to an unfortunate injury. As he tore his hamstring at training just four days prior to his scheduled first grade debut in Round 22 against the Gold Coast Titans.

The 2010 season began with another setback. As heading into the year’s last preseason trial match, Taylor suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the final training session. Proving his resilience, Taylor never let it deter him or stop him from trying to make his dream a reality. Making sure that wouldn’t be the end of his 2010 season.

He made his return through the under-20s Toyota Cup competition. Taylor would later captain the side and lead the Junior Warriors to the NYC premiership, scoring a double in their 42-28 Grand Final win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Two years later than originally planned, Taylor’s dedication and hard work paid off.

As in Round 4 of the 2011 NRL season he became Warrior #167, making his first grade debut in a 26-18 win against the Cronulla Sharks at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

Capping off an incredible and memorable rookie season, Taylor would start and score for the Warriors in the 2011 NRL Grand Final. Whilst Warriors went down 24-10 to the Manly Sea Eagles in the grand final, Taylor was rewarded for his progress over his debut season. Earning selection to represent New Zealand during the 2011 Four Nations Tournament.

Taylor would play 67 games for the Warriors throughout his career, and was awarded the Club Person of the Year in 2012. Leaving the club at the end of the 2013 season, Taylor left as an improved player, a leader and an international representative.

Joining the Penrith Panthers in 2014, Taylor was an integral signing at the start of the club’s rebuild. Always amongst the Panthers’ best, he consistently led from the front and gave everything he had in all 39 games he represented the club. Would captain the Panthers on three occasions before moving to the Wests Tigers during the 2016 season.

He proved to be just as valuable for the Wests Tigers, as only seven months after joining the club he was voted by his teammates to be part of the leadership group in 2017. He was named the Tigers’ player of the year in 2017 and became a co-captain of the club in 2018. Taylor left the Tigers at the end of the 2020 season after playing 80 games for the club.

Taking his talents to the Super League in the UK, Taylor signed a two-year deal with Salford Red Devils. Would go on to make 41 appearances for the Red Devils and quickly became a cult hero amongst the Salford faithful at AJ Bell Stadium.

He would captain the team in his final season at the club in 2022. Leading them to the Super League semi-finals, unfortunately falling short 19-12 to the eventual Grand Final winners St Helens.

Not afraid of a challenge, Taylor took the opportunity to join the Featherstone Rovers as one of their key signings ahead of the 2023 Betfred Championship season.

With the goal in mind to be promoted to the Super League, the Rovers have got their 2023 campaign off to the right start, currently sitting four points clear on top of the table with a 8-0 record.

Off the field, Taylor researched and studied for 15 months to become a fully qualified commercial pilot. Endlessly studying every chance he had, whether it be on his days off or straight after training at Wests Tigers or even between training sessions. He made sure he put in the hours to pass all seven exams required before becoming fully qualified in January 2021.

Now he is trying his hand at music and giving it as much effort as he gives every aspect in his life.

Going by “Boy Music” he releases his work across social media and on all music streaming platforms. Using his singles and freestyle rap as a way to share his story and sharing a message that the listener can take from his music.

As in his latest single “GRATEFUL” being about admitting your wrongs and being grateful for the ones who are always there for you, even when you don’t want it.

Elijah Taylor has reached the highest levels across the NRL, Super League and on the international stage. A consistent, reliable, versatile player, whose effort and commitment translates both on and off the field. He is second to none role model, the personification of leadership, dedication and hard work. Never gives up, willing to always try, puts the hard work in, and rises above adversity.

Checkout and Follow Elijah Taylor/Boy Music:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boy_music27/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QxBDAQ9ZHZqDDuleE6OOq?si=0B3o7NqjSr-OLfB_HkaJ0g&dd=1 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WfdOvZuaABOyuz9ZHDUgQ?app=desktop

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boy_music27 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/boy_music27?s=21&t=7KGrIipHLc8AzRzNtAy6SA