RESPECT. Interview: Soul

Photo Credit: @raeharmonn

Memphis native, Soul has been buzzing in the streets for some time now. By pursuing music and juggling college, he is untouchable in the game. We have caught up with him by discussing his past tour, Skool Daze, on how Memphis has a music platform, and his upcoming project that is on the way.

RESPECT.: How did you get your rap name “Soul?” Describe and explain.

I used to go by YSL at 19. It stood for Young Soul Lost, cause that’s where I thought I was in my journey. As I got older and started truly envisioning longevity and my purpose as a musical vessel, I figured I’d cut it to Soul, because my story isn’t just mine, it’s the story of a collective existence, me and everybody I know just like me. Plus, a lot of people say my music comes from and reaches the soul, so it just stuck for real after that.

RESPECT.: What is your definition of RESPECT.?

My definition of respect is accepting a person or their choices in the interest of learning and bettering us all.

RESPECT.: What is the difference between the past tour you did to the this upcoming tour you are doing now?

The biggest difference I would say is more knowledge of how to do things better comprehensively. From choosing markets, to choosing accompanying acts, to choosing venues, even down to song selection for specific cities.

RESPECT.: What city or state can you say has the most love for you? Explain.

I feel like I get a lot of support from my own city and the people there who are shaping the culture, specifically. Tennessee as a whole has really embraced me as well. Not many unsigned artists can say they’ve performed at multiple packed out shows in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, etc. Or toured in every major TN city. So the love is there too for sure.

RESPECT.: What do you think of TayKeith’s success of putting on for Memphis?

I can only be happy for him. We went to Hamilton High School together for a year or so and now we’re both at MTSU, so we’ve literally been able see each other progress. I have one of his earliest beats from like 2011 or 2012. To see where he is now, producing for the biggest names in rap, is inspiring. Hopefully he can open more doors and bring more looks to the city.

RESPECT.: Do you think by the end of the year, people, around the world, will know Memphis as a city and the music platform they have?

I believe people are going to peel back the top layers of trap (Key Glock, Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta, etc.) & the old 3 6 Mafia sound that’s dominating currently and dig deeper for more substance. When they do, which will probably be around September, October, that’s when they’ll find that the range and depth of artists we have in the city is good enough to capture the attention of the music industry and the world for a long time.

Photo Credit: @bhagge20

RESPECT.: I see that you have plenty of performances in the Tennessee area this month, especially the Memphis Festival, and early next month before your tour, back then what was your motivation when you had little audience compared to having a bigger audience. How does that make you feel?

Having the smaller crowds pushed me to want to sell out bigger venues or even be able to tour. I saw how people loved my music and my story in those intimate settings, so I was always eager to give it to more people in a larger capacity. In Murfreesboro/Nashville though, it’s hard to come by without really grinding or the proper connections. I took the longer way, definitely, but it’s put me in a position that few in this small town have ever had. Now, the tours, festivals, and more just reflect how my groundwork and art respected by people who call shots. It’s new, but I’m enjoying it all. The growing process is fun, even though not many artists want to go through it.

RESPECT.: Will you be performing new songs at the festival?

Yes, everything new. I’ve got two projects in the vault, so I can pick and choose freely, plus just loose freestyles and other records I’ve been experimenting with.

RESPECT.: With Cardi B’s success in 2017 and the four months in 2018, on how her 4 time platinum hit single “Bodak Yellow,” went crazy and her album that already reached gold, what’s your take with her career as a developing artist coming up. Is that motivation for you?

Cardi is the American Dream right now, I think everybody wishes they could do it like her. Of course, I know there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes so I applaud how her and her team have been patient and calculating. I could learn from that, I’m sure. More than anything though, it is motivation that execution and the right record can change your life in a year.

RESPECT.: Who inspires you to start rapping? Why?

Inspired? I can’t really pinpoint anybody other than Wayne and my best friend Ty. Then Kendrick, Cole, Drake, Nas, and Hov are all influenced my approach. But the actual decision to begin writing and recording was Wayne and Ty. Two best rappers I ever seen actually.

RESPECT.: There will be a second tour over the summer, what cities will you be hitting it? What artists will be on the bill? Will you be giving us a exclusive content of what the tour will be about?

The name isn’t finalized yet, but NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, a few Florida dates, Cali, multiple dates in TN of course. As for artists, Mauzy, Evan Dupri, Mic Carr, and Ty the Legend will be featured a lot. And there will be vlogs and a documentary production around this one. I’m excited, it’s going to be one to remember.

RESPECT.: What is next for Soul? Will there be an album on the way?

Most likely. Give it until July after tour. I want it to be special though, like what GKMC was to Kendrick and Compton, so I’ll be taking my time. It will be the best project of the year though, I’ll guarantee that now.

Peep his latest visual that features him, Evan Dupri, DoubleR and Rashad B. called “Real Rap” below.