Xoul City

Three friends who share the common bonds of music, culture, and being young black men in America, have come together to form the group Xoul City. Their debut album, The Spirit of Soul City, was created in light of each members' journey creatively and spiritually over the past 6 years amidst a polarizing religious, political and social climate. Drawing upon artistic influences that range from Mos Def and Talib Kweli to Native Tounges, to Little Brother to Sho Baraka, The Spirit of Soul City showcases their unique gifts as emcees, poets, and producers. Noble Vessel, Preppy, and SaeLah have put together a project poised to penetrate the minds and hearts of the culture. “I stumbled across an article about a story of a town development in North Carolina, planned by attorney and civil rights activist Floyd McKissick, and it was called ‘Soul City.’ It was planned to be an integrated suburban community built and managed by black people with dreams of it becoming a southern utopia. He foresaw a place where there would be no prejudice or poverty or slums…but the development lost the funding it initially acquired, McKissick got caught up in controversy, and many of the supporters slowly parted ways and the dream of a city that could escape the horrors of racism in America ended…and then it hit me: this was a city built on the foundation of man, but only what’s done in Christ will last. And with that, I thought of how we as Christians, specifically black American Christians, long for the true Soul City: Heaven. But until Christ returns, we live in the now and we lament the state of affairs in our country and we had a heart to express our frustrations, hopes, and fears…” (Preppy, of Xoul City) Entirely produced by Preppy (of Queens, NY), the project is reminiscent of the boombap era of hip hop. Drawing upon influences such as DJ Hi-Tek, Little Brother, 9th Wonder, and Jamla, Preppy’s production will have you feeling like its 1997 all over again, or at the very least have you nostalgically in your “feels.” And then there are the emcees: both hailing from Louisiana, each poets in their own right, each versatile and evoking different emotions in the listener. Noble Vessel brings a thought-provoking writing style and a flow so laid back, you’d think you were talking to an older brother. SaeLah, equipped with “punch lines and parables,” teaches and instructs without you even knowing you’re being educated. Both, through lyricism, take up paintbrushes and use broad strokes to paint a vivid picture of the climate of America, in an attempt to hold that picture up to America so she can see herself. The album tackles weighty issues with sincere hearts, transparency, and conviction while at the same time finding room for affirmation, humor, love, and ultimately hope in Jesus. Get ready to take the journey to Xoul City! For more information and to connect with Xoul City and find out how you can take the journey, follow the group on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @xoulcity; at soundcloud.com/xoulcity; xoulcity.bandcamp.com; and youtube: search “xoul city" Purchase Music at XoulCity.bandcamp.com https://linktr.ee/xoulcity https://twitter.com/XoulCity twitter.com/noblevessel twitter.com/saelahunplugged https://twitter.com/preppybeats https://saelahunplugged.com soundcloud.com/preppybeats Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.