Sounds Of Urban Life Soldiers
Band Story
S.O.U.L.S. – Sounds of Urban Life Soldiers: Revolution Through Rhythm
With the release of their genre-defying debut Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry – Phaze 2, the collective known as S.O.U.L.S. (Sounds of Urban Life Soldiers) emerges as one of the most vital and culturally resonant voices in spoken word and conscious hip hop. Building on the foundation laid by the acclaimed compilation Paradise Presents Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry, S.O.U.L.S. blends raw street poetry with jazz textures, funk rhythms, and hip hop’s unflinching truth-telling—ushering in a powerful new genre aimed squarely at the soul.
Their mission? To elevate social consciousness through music and wordplay that confronts issues like gun violence, black-on-black crime, education, environmental justice, self-worth, and economic empowerment. S.O.U.L.S. doesn’t just entertain—they challenge, uplift, and spark change. Their work is a sonic blueprint for cultural revolution, carried on the backs of masterful lyricism and unapologetic artistry.
Meet the Artists:
RAQUEL RAMSEY
An accomplished vocalist and scholar of sound, Raquel Ramsey’s journey has taken her from the classrooms of Berklee College of Music to center stage with jazz luminaries like Roy Hargrove and Walter Beasley. Equally fluent in classical arias, spirituals, and sultry R&B ballads, Ramsey channels a lifetime of musical study into each spoken word performance. Her poetry, rich in melody and conviction, is shaped by a career spent on both sides of the mic—artist and industry insider. Today, she’s not only a sought-after performer but also a dedicated educator at the Chabot Space and Science Center, using art and science as dual tools for transformation.
PRESIDENT L. DAVIS
Straight from the streets of Richmond, California—a city riddled with violence but rich with raw talent—President L. Davis brings a commanding voice and sharp intellect to the mic. A product of the Bay’s 'Hyphy' culture and a student of sociology at Laney College, Davis channels lived experience into riveting street poetry. As a host of multiple showcases and a fixture in Oakland’s vibrant spoken word scene, he walks the tightrope between cultural critic and community leader. His goal: to speak truth while inspiring movement, both in thought and in action.
KELDAMUZIK
A true force in Bay Area hip hop, Keldamuzik is the embodiment of confidence, charisma, and creative evolution. From her early days as a talent show champion to her current role as host of Diva TV, her presence is electric. Equally gifted as a lyricist, model, and performer, she blends commercial appeal with street credibility, all while carving out space for women in a male-dominated genre. Her stage persona is fierce, her delivery magnetic, and her artistic range unmatched.
KEITH THOMPSON
A graduate of UC Berkeley and a creative force across multiple disciplines, Keith Thompson is the thinker’s poet. His journey from nonprofit service to the stage is driven by a belief in community self-awareness as a pathway to transformation. A respected visual artist and AV specialist, Thompson’s poetry is deeply layered, rooted in experience, and shaped by a sharp understanding of history and social context. His art—whether spoken, written, or designed—is a vessel for change.
SHAVONE PICKETT
Known simply as Shavone, this Bay Area vocalist’s voice is as powerful as her story. Raised on gospel and inspired by soul icons like Aretha, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys, she fuses traditional training with raw emotion. Her voice, seasoned by years in the studio and onstage, is magnetic and deeply expressive. “I need to sing, just like I need to breathe,” she says—and when she does, it’s with the conviction of an artist ready to claim the spotlight she’s long deserved.
S.O.U.L.S. is more than a collective—it’s a cultural awakening. A call to action. A new standard for what socially conscious music can sound like in the 21st century. With Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry – Phaze 2, they’ve not only raised the bar—they’ve drawn a line in the sand.
With the release of their genre-defying debut Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry – Phaze 2, the collective known as S.O.U.L.S. (Sounds of Urban Life Soldiers) emerges as one of the most vital and culturally resonant voices in spoken word and conscious hip hop. Building on the foundation laid by the acclaimed compilation Paradise Presents Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry, S.O.U.L.S. blends raw street poetry with jazz textures, funk rhythms, and hip hop’s unflinching truth-telling—ushering in a powerful new genre aimed squarely at the soul.
Their mission? To elevate social consciousness through music and wordplay that confronts issues like gun violence, black-on-black crime, education, environmental justice, self-worth, and economic empowerment. S.O.U.L.S. doesn’t just entertain—they challenge, uplift, and spark change. Their work is a sonic blueprint for cultural revolution, carried on the backs of masterful lyricism and unapologetic artistry.
Meet the Artists:
RAQUEL RAMSEY
An accomplished vocalist and scholar of sound, Raquel Ramsey’s journey has taken her from the classrooms of Berklee College of Music to center stage with jazz luminaries like Roy Hargrove and Walter Beasley. Equally fluent in classical arias, spirituals, and sultry R&B ballads, Ramsey channels a lifetime of musical study into each spoken word performance. Her poetry, rich in melody and conviction, is shaped by a career spent on both sides of the mic—artist and industry insider. Today, she’s not only a sought-after performer but also a dedicated educator at the Chabot Space and Science Center, using art and science as dual tools for transformation.
PRESIDENT L. DAVIS
Straight from the streets of Richmond, California—a city riddled with violence but rich with raw talent—President L. Davis brings a commanding voice and sharp intellect to the mic. A product of the Bay’s 'Hyphy' culture and a student of sociology at Laney College, Davis channels lived experience into riveting street poetry. As a host of multiple showcases and a fixture in Oakland’s vibrant spoken word scene, he walks the tightrope between cultural critic and community leader. His goal: to speak truth while inspiring movement, both in thought and in action.
KELDAMUZIK
A true force in Bay Area hip hop, Keldamuzik is the embodiment of confidence, charisma, and creative evolution. From her early days as a talent show champion to her current role as host of Diva TV, her presence is electric. Equally gifted as a lyricist, model, and performer, she blends commercial appeal with street credibility, all while carving out space for women in a male-dominated genre. Her stage persona is fierce, her delivery magnetic, and her artistic range unmatched.
KEITH THOMPSON
A graduate of UC Berkeley and a creative force across multiple disciplines, Keith Thompson is the thinker’s poet. His journey from nonprofit service to the stage is driven by a belief in community self-awareness as a pathway to transformation. A respected visual artist and AV specialist, Thompson’s poetry is deeply layered, rooted in experience, and shaped by a sharp understanding of history and social context. His art—whether spoken, written, or designed—is a vessel for change.
SHAVONE PICKETT
Known simply as Shavone, this Bay Area vocalist’s voice is as powerful as her story. Raised on gospel and inspired by soul icons like Aretha, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys, she fuses traditional training with raw emotion. Her voice, seasoned by years in the studio and onstage, is magnetic and deeply expressive. “I need to sing, just like I need to breathe,” she says—and when she does, it’s with the conviction of an artist ready to claim the spotlight she’s long deserved.
S.O.U.L.S. is more than a collective—it’s a cultural awakening. A call to action. A new standard for what socially conscious music can sound like in the 21st century. With Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry – Phaze 2, they’ve not only raised the bar—they’ve drawn a line in the sand.
Band Members
KEITH THOMPSON, SHAVONE PICKETT, KELDAMUZIK, PRESIDENT L. DAVIS, RAQUEL RAMSEY
KEITH THOMPSON, SHAVONE PICKETT, KELDAMUZIK, PRESIDENT L. DAVIS, RAQUEL RAMSEY
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: California (CA)
Genre: Hip-Hop