Meet Give Em Soul

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Give Em Soul a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Give Em Soul, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I believe that your purpose finds you after you’ve found yourself and its usually intangible and in some form of service. I thought my purpose was to be just a musician/producer, until I started to pay attention to the qualities it took to do the job at a high level. What you see on stage or hear on a record is but a small portion of what my purpose is.

One example of this was when I was first invited to “Bright Lady Studios” to work with 9th Wonder and Jamla records back in 2017 after a short beat battle with 9th himself (story for another time). When I first got to the studio I looked around at the platinum/gold records on the wall and took a pic to remind myself of what’s possible with persistence and discipline. Now that I was there it was time to get to work. I was in the studio making beats everyday with hopes of placing something with the talented roster of artists and producers. The only issue was is that EVERYONE THERE MADE BEATS! Yes everyone even the interns. The artists would pick my beats and record to them but I wasn’t quite able to get the placements yet. I begin to look around at what was missing and what ways could I add value, a lane that was less congested. Then boom! I had it. No one there played keys as their main instrument and I had already played in bands for Jamla artists Rapsody and Heather Victoria. I began make piano sample packs to be used exclusively by the producers on the label. Before I could send out the samples one of the producers Khrysis asked if I would play on a project he was working with Elzhi entitled “Jericho Jackson” I was able to place two songs “Listen feat Amber Navran and “Thank you”. From there I would go on to replay samples that didn’t clear, as well as play on other projects, commercials, and tv shows. I found a way to be of service and add value in my own way and it opened the doors to many placements with 9th, Rapsody, J.cole, D’ Angelo, Nike/Jordan Brand, Netflix, BET and even a RIAA certified Gold plaque of my own with JID.

I found my purpose through looking at what I was missing and becoming it. If I was missing direction then I became the leader, curator, and director. I didn’t have anyone to open up to about life’s issues so I started helping other people with theirs. I had no one to “put me on” so I found a way to add value to those that were doing what I wanted to do then put others in position to do the same. When I needed inspiration, well you get my drift..

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Im a full time Human who’s an artist, musician, producer, and boxer, who takes side missions as a food reviewer on weekends!

Traveling, festivals, and shows are great but the most fulfilling part of my career is network and community. I was born in Atlanta GA, raised in Wilson NC with a 2 year pit stop in Charleston SC in between, Moving to new places as a kid and as an adult moving to Durham NC to attend NCCU was exciting to me and showed me the value of family and what it means to be apart of something bigger than myself. I use every opportunity, on and off the stage to meet new people and build relationships that will not only help me but others as well.

I’ve recently released my debut album as a collab project With 9th Wonder entitled “One Forty Seven” which was an ode to Durham NC. I came to Bull City in 2009 at 18yo and quickly submerged myself into the culture and community. I majored in Music Industry Concentration in business at North Carolina Central University which allowed my to start Viasoul Music Group llc and open my first studio downtown through a work-study course which later became the “Give Em Soul” brand. “Give Em Soul” represents Being the best version of yourself, authentically you without ego. You can Give Em Soul” in anything you do as long as its genuine. You as an individual are the foundation of community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Respect-We all live in our own reality, you’ll never know everything a person is going through so treat everyone how you want to be treated with respect.

Discipline-its the foundation of confidence, it keeps you consistent when motivation and inspiration runs out. Get the job done whether you feel like it or not. People care about results not your excuses. Cut out vices and distractions they have nothing to do with your purpose.

Embrace the process- the journey of life is full of lessons highs and lows. Remember ‘Its always darkest before dawn” which means at your lowest moments, hardest times is when you’re about to elevate to the next level YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED! Especially when there are challenges and obstacles it gives you a chance to prove that you really want what you’re getting after.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle- This book helped me get out of my head and be present in every moment because that’s all that exists. The basic principle of the book is that we don’t exist outside the Now. The past has already happened and the future is created from the present which means it doesn’t exist yet. Live in the NOW.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @giveemsoul
• Facebook: Soul
• Twitter: @giveemsoul