SOJA
SOJA
Jacob Hemphill (lead vocals & guitar) met Bobby Lee (bass) in the first grade in Virginia, shortly after Jacob returned from living in Africa with his family. The two instantly became best friends, and in middle school found a common love for hip hop, rock and reggae music. Throughout middle and high school, they met Ryan Berty (drums), Patrick O'Shea (keyboards) and Kenneth Brownell (percussion). Together they formed SOJA. In the formative years the band gigged locally in the DC area while a couple of the guys finished school. All the while making plans to hit the road after graduation...
In 2005 the band hit the road... and they hit the road hard. Often dubbed "road warriors", SOJA has brought their unique sound and stage show to nearly every city in North America, as well as many cities throughout Europe, South America, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. While touring in Puerto Rico the band linked up with sax player Hellman Escorcia & trumpet player Rafael Rodriguez. These two exceptional musicians earned their position as SOJA's mainstay horn section by helping further develop the band's eclectic sound.
With no signs of slowing down. SOJA is planning a world tour for 2011/2012 in support of their upcoming album release. It's all about the message in the music for this band. "People think we write music about the earth for the earth's sake, but its not really like that. If we harm the earth, it will reject us. For all we know, its happened one hundred times before. This place gets too hot, that's it. Reset button. That's why I sing what I sing - to pull us all in the same direction, the same future. Without that, were finished (Jacob Hemphill)."
There is no doubt about it. This band is on the forefront of a Revolution with hopes to bring about positive change: environmentally, politically and socially. "Maybe we need to WANT to fix it. Maybe stop talking, maybe start listening. Maybe we need to look at this world less like a square and more like a circle. Maybe just maybe God's not unfair, maybe we're all his kids and he's up there. Maybe he loves us for all our races, maybe he hates us when we're all so racist. Maybe he sees us, when we dont care, that its heaven right here, but its hell over there. Then maybe the meek will inherit this earth, cause it was written before... so..." Everything Changes - SOJA.
OUR LINKS
Collie Buddz
Collie Buddz, from the isle of Bermuda, has done something not impossible but something once seemingly very implausible. He's become the most buzz-worthy current Reggae artist over the past few years. In the summer, 2007, Collie Buddz' Columbia Records self-titled debut album stormed the charts entering the Billboard Reggae Chart at first position. The Reggae singjay became an international star when this album went on to debut across the world on every chart from Japan to Germany. With much of the production coming from Collie himself, he delivered a solid effort with contributions from Supa Dups, Shea Taylor, Bang Out, Screwface, Bobby Konders, and Crown N Kah-So-Real.
Released just a day before US Independence Day, Collie's album could be heard blasting out of car windows from Brooklyn to Kingston all summer long. Critically speaking, Collie's debut was a monster, his first single, an undeniable summer anthem titled, "Come Around". Source Magazine proclaimed, "This 24 year old shotta has got an anthem spreading across the seas." Hip Hop Weekly said, "Collie Buddz is one of the most firmly grounded voices you may ever encounter." The industry excitement about this new voice in music manifested in many ways namely by inspiring Collie's musical peers to either create their own remixes of "Come Around" or join Collie on the official remix of the single. Busta Rhymes, G-Unit, Shaggy, and Cypress Hill, all contributed to the anthem.
Incorporating influences from Hip-Hop to Soca, Collie's music nevertheless has a rock-solid foundation in Reggae - and its power to connect ghetto reality with the highest heights of human aspiration - that is a rarity even in Jamaica. But, to say he's connected to the Caribbean community would be an understatement. Collie Buddz, born Colin Harper, has become the Caribbean culture's resident ambassador.
Touring extensively, Collie's passport stamps are a relative reflection of the worldwide love for Reggae and Caribbean culture. From Madison Square Garden to Dubai, Collie Buddz is the definition of an international recording artist. It was crazy performing in the Middle East. "Who would have guessed how big reggae music is there? They knew all my songs" a jubilant Buddz explains. He has toured throughout Germany, France, England, Japan, North and South America and the Caribbean.
His unique blend of Hip-Hop, Soca and Dancehall underlined with his ever-present passion for the modern Roots Reggae sound has attracted tastemaker supporters all over the world. Reggae pioneer David Rodigan [London] and New York Reggae stalwarts, Massive B are just some of his most ardent supporters. Now on the verge of Collie's sophomore album release, the anticipation is palpable.
In spite of a heavy touring schedule since 2007, Collie is prepared to release a sophomore album that promises an even greater insight into the multi-talented, singer/producer. "We don't have a title for the new album just yet but whatever we call it, the album will be mad, Collie excitedly explains. With production by Supa Dups, Massive B, and Seani B among other contributors, Collie's fans can anticipate Collie's unique twist on popular music.
After ending his affiliation with Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment, Inc in 2008, he found fewer restrictions on the indy scene and has since founded his own independent record label, Harper Digital alongside his brother [Smokey] and DJ [Genie] while working with his longtime management group, Mojiza Management.
Humble as always, Collie simply says, "I'm just excited to be putting out another album. I love to make music and the satisfaction is in having other people from all over the world enjoy it. I live out of a suitcase and I wouldn't have it any other way."
OUR LINKS
Xiuhtezcali
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
_full.jpg)
