Irie Souljah is a reggae from Spain now domiciled in Jamaica as he seeks to take his music career globally. He revels signed a record deal with the California based Ineffable Records coupled with a management deal with Steve Urchin, Sean Paul’s co-manager. He speaks exclusively with WMV about how he plans to take his unique sound to the world.
How does it feel to be signed to a new record label?
It’s always motivating to know somebody respects and love your music and wants to work with you to develop your projects. I’m really excited to see what we will do together.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the label negotiations?
Well for me it’s mostly about the connection between me and the label and understanding each others visions, it was pretty smooth to be honest, otherwise I wouldn’t have signed… The energy was right from the start.
What is the biggest difference between your old and new management?
The main difference it’s the experience they have in music industry with developing artists and targeting audiences versus my old label that basically was only providing some funding and hadn’t done much work with new artists so I basically had to do everything by myself. It’s a huge difference.
What can fans expect from your upcoming releases?
I just recently put out two remixes of one of my latest favorite songs, Helping Hand, one with Iya Terra and the next one with Anthony B. My next release will be a next collab with a big Dancehall artist from Jamaica. After that it’s time for the EP, just expect some sweet reggae music, mixed with a tups of R&B and a splash a dancehall with a hint of Afrobeat.. I’m really singing more in this project so I’m showcasing a more melodic side of my voice.
What can fans expect from your upcoming releases?
Besides of the collabs I have in the EP I have a few other collabs that will probably be included in my next album and maybe release some of them as singles. I recently voice a verse for Nattali Rize under a Notice Productions riddim so look out for that same way.
What would you say has been your biggest success in your career so far?
Bwoy it’s hard to tell but definitely signing with Ineffable it’s pretty big, also did Sumfest for the first time last summer. I was told asides Gentleman I’ve been the only European artist to ever do it. I also Toured with Cocoa Tea a few years ago, that was one of the best experiences of my life… having the chance to work with some of my favorite artists I consider all that success but is not just one thing is the combination of all aspects of your life.
How did you develop your unique style of music?
I think from younger days since I started to learn music I was always intrigued by different sounds and instruments more than the regular guitar, bass, drum, keys. I like to explore with samples and synthesizers to give my music a unique sound. I play several instruments so majority of my songs are produced by me although I always work with my producer from Barcelona Genius T. He’s been a major part of my sound as well.
What inspired you to switch labels and management?
Well after my experience with the first label I kinda had a couple a low key years where I was trying to get out of the deal and get back my masters for my first album (Which I Did), and that did stop me from creating and structuring a next project until now. I decided to sign with Ineffable cause I’m still independent and own my masters but I have a bigger infrastructure and a experienced team who’s working daily on our projects.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to make it in the music industry?
Learn the business side of it as much as you learn how to play or sing. A lots of talented artists don’t have a clue of how to do certain things and that’s holding back their career. If you’re an artist find a producer and develop a unique sound, after that it’s all about networking and good management. If you’re a musician, just practice 24/7 and next time you jump on stage someone will call you, musicians always needed, specially in Jamaica. If you’re producer same ting find your vessel, don’t try go for the big names.. build with a young artist and once you start create a buzz, bigger names will reach out. Music is a patience game, don’t try rush it.
What is the story behind your stage name, Irie SoulJah?
Back in Spain I was the lead singer and band leader for a reggae band called Mystic Souldiers. We was very popular over there and when people use to see us arrive they use so call us “the soldiers”. After a while some promoters did start reach out to me cause they wanted to book me to perform on their soundsystems. At that time I didn’t have a stage name so I went as Souldier lol, after a couple shows I wanted to introduce a next word to the name and my favorite word from the Rasta slang at that time was Irie, so the next fews shows it was Irie Souldier. I met one dj from Spain called Sr. Wilson at one show and he was fresh from JA and he was like yo as a Rasta you shoulda spell it Souljah… the rest is history!
