SOJA’s first album was recorded independently with renowned sound engineer Jim Fox. Jacob notes, “Jim told us that he would work with us and so we could afford to make our first record, and when we ran out of money he started making up ‘discounts.’ It was awesome. I asked him why a while back, and he said ‘I didn’t want to see a good thing stop.’ What was even crazier was at the time he wasn’t working with bands that were from the US, just Jamaican artists. Big ones like Black Uhuru, Israel Vibration, Burning Spear, Don Carlos, and Inner Circle. Jim worked with us independently and recorded, mixed, and mastered the whole thing. That is how it all started.” SOJA’s first album, “Soldiers of Jah Army EP” was released at the beginning of 2000.
In 2002, SOJA released their first full-length album, “Peace in a Time of War.” Though the band was young, the album had hits. “True Love,” “Rasta Courage,” and “Peace in a Time of War” were the first songs to bring the band strong attention nationally and internationally and cement them in the reggae world. Tours became larger, their fan base expanded rapidly and they grew up smart in the independent music industry. In 2006, the band released “Get Wiser,” their second full-length album. The album was a break through for the band, as they explored the duality in their music, combining beautiful, longing melodies with hard drum and bass, and layered with intricate lyrics. SOJA created their musical style with a new complexity and depth that they would carry with them to their future albums. Jacob shares, “When you listen to an artist you can either have a series of one liners, or you can tell a story with your music. We set out to tell a story, it’s like poetry – dancing around an entire theme, but never putting a period on anything. It is like the two sides of a coin, but you can see them at the same time.” “Get Wiser” debuted in the Top 10 Reggae Albums on iTunes and has remained in the top 100 since its release. Singles off the album including “Open My Eyes, “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Can’t Tell Me” remain in heavy rotation on college radio across the United States, and have also received major radio play internationally in places such as France, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, Guam, and Tahiti. The success of “Get Wiser” took the band on three years of intense touring nationally, and internationally. In 2008 SOJA released their EP “Stars and Stripes.” They blended new sounds and new rhythms with their existing reggae sound, growing into what SOJA was becoming. The EP contained three new songs plus remixes and new versions of popular songs. In early 2009 the band released the documentary DVD “SOJA Live in Hawaii: A Marc Carlini Film,” showcasing the power and energy of their 2008 Hawaiian tour which included four islands, five cameras, four shows, and everything in between.
Now, SOJA is ready to unleash their third full-length album “Born in Babylon” - the culmination of all past efforts on their label DMV Records. Set to be released August 25, 2009 exclusively on iTunes, “Born in Babylon” focuses on telling the same roots story that reggae artists have been singing about for decades, but their way, from the flip perspective of kids who grew up not in poverty, but in a government saturated community in Arlington, Virginia, across Mason-Dixon Line from the White House. SOJA shares about their new album, “This is the album we’ve been wanting to make for ten years. At first we were hard-core old school, then we got new school and inventive. This is what we’ve learned from all that. ‘Born in Babylon’ is hard roots drum and bass, big wide guitar and vocal melodies, and two and three sided lyrics, with two and three sided messages.”
For the rest of 2009 and moving into 2010 – SOJA plans on touring the United States extensively while promoting “Born in Babylon” with mainstay horn players Hellman Escorcia (saxophone) and Rafael Rodriguez (trumpet). Currently, SOJA averages 150 shows a year and the group has toured every major city in the US and internationally throughout Canada, Puerto Rico (avg 2500), Brazil (avg 4000), Argentina, Uruguay, New Caledonia (16,000 in attendance) Palau, Saipan, Guam (avg 3500), Hawaii (avg 2,000 on each island), Sweden, Switzerland, France, Portugal (avg 2000) and Holland. The band has also shared the stage with notable artists such as Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Govt Mule, Umphrees McGee, and Steel Pulse to name a few.
In addition to their new music and touring, the band remains committed to creating real music, music that cant be ignored. Jacob pauses, “Bob Marley’s fans all feel like when he is singing a song, it’s to them. You could be from anywhere, any situation, rich, poor – it doesn’t matter; the song is directed at them. He speaks to you, the love songs too. That is what we are after. Not one side of the story, the whole thing, both sides of the coin. Just listen to ‘Born in Babylon.’”
disambiguation:
If you're looking for a US act:
http://www.last.fm/music/Soldiers+of+Jah+Army
Over the years, the Washington, D.C. music scene has become best known for its hardcore (Minor Threat) and go-go (Trouble Funk) alumni, but as evidenced by the great Bad Brains, reggae has been represented as well. SOJA has risen to the forefront, picking up right where the Brains left off – creating their own blend of conscious roots music entwined with the traditional rhythms of reggae, it “comes across with passion and depth.” (Washington Post ’06)
That said, SOJA is not that easy to define. Although they are rooted in reggae, they are not limited to it; their fan-base reflects this with a very diverse population. The music includes and embraces all walks of life - it has no prejudice – it is for everyone. The band grew up listening to reggae, hip-hop, and rock. In their sound, reggae became the predominate influence because it is dedicated to a real message and promotes revolution.
The group, which includes a pair of lead singers who also pull double duty - Jacob Hemphill (guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) – as well as Patrick O’Shea on keyboard, percussionist Ken Brownell, and drummer Ryan Berty, originally came together in 1997. Since 2000, the quintet has issued three full length albums and one EP – their latest, ‘Get Wiser,’ is their third for the group’s own label, Innerloop.
Hemphill explains the meaning of the album’s title. “The new album is called ‘Get Wiser’ – that’s the idea. We as a society tend to have blinders on. We are trying to uplift peoples’ consciousness by breaking down what makes us blind. To do this, we got to bring back truth. People get wiser.”
“Every song is different of course.” Hemphill continues, “I found music to be a way to express myself - through my life I’ve never been able to express myself well in conversations, but I can do it through music. It’s like my way to talk.”
Ever the road warriors (SOJA averages 150 gigs per year), the group will be supporting their latest release with a healthy amount of live dates this year on the “Get Wiser Tour”. With such a list of accumulated live dates, a specific high point is hard to pin down, but Brownell remembers a particular performance. “One of the shows that remains in the front of my mind was playing in Guam for the first time for nearly 6,000 fans. That was an amazing experience.”
With SOJA calling their own shots, ‘Get Wiser’ proves that the band’s message and music will only continue to grow stronger with each successive release. In support of their latest album, “Get Wiser”, SOJA is embarking on a journey around the world.
The Band
Jacob Hemphill - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Bob Jefferson - Lead Vocals, Bass
Ken Brownell - Percussion
Ryan Berty - Drums
Patrick O’Shea- Keyboards
Born in Babylon
SOJA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing - like nobody thought i was something
Nothing - like called every name in the book
But for every second guess I never gave a second look
I tell myself "Don't let it get to me!"
'Cause if the best they've got its not impressing me
Then there's no reason they should get the best of me
Why they're aiming at my words - that's the rest of me
Chorus
So how can I stop all these
Critics from their talking?
The more I do, the more they say.
But there's no way I'm stopping,
So they just keep on talking.
Who do you think I think I am?
I got the feeling that there is more like me.
Born in Babylon but you just got to be free.
Shackles on your feet that you and me can't see,
But you can feel them and they heavy,
So you need that key!
And so you're looking at your hands sayin':
"Man, if a distance is to me I could be mine."
But then you hear a voice comin' from behind:
"Don't even think about steppin' out of line!"
Chorus
So how can i stop all these
Critics from their talking?
The more I do, the more they say.
But there's no way I'm stopping,
So they just keep on talking.
Who do you think I think I am?
Who do you think I am?
My friends are deep and they're all I've got.
They stand up behind me if you like it or not.
And I'm telling you that the fire's hot.
Can you see that smoking?
Did you hear that shot?
'Cause this is the war that in the middle I am.
So judge me now with your pen in hand
'Cause I'm too busy to judge another man,
Trying to write a blueprint for all the world to understand
The lyrics of SOJA's "Born in Babylon" are about the determination to rise above criticism and adversity, and the struggle to break free from the burdens of societal expectations. The singer reflects on their past, when they were seen as inferior and called "nothing." However, they refuse to let others define them and deter them from their goals. Instead, they find strength in the knowledge that the criticism of their words is only a small part of who they are as a person. Furthermore, the singer recognizes that there are others like them, who feel the weight of the "shackles on [their] feet," but seek liberation and "that key." While others may attempt to keep them in line, the singer is determined to break free and inspire others with their writing.
The chorus of the song reinforces the theme of resilience and perseverance, as the singer asserts that they will not back down in the face of criticism. Rather than trying to quiet their detractors, they will continue on their path, even if it means that the critics will only continue to talk. Despite the obstacles they face, the singer remains confident in their ability to achieve their goals, asking the listener "Who do you think I think I am?" The song ends with a message of unity, as the singer acknowledges the support of their friends and their efforts to write a "blueprint for all the world to understand."
Line by Line Meaning
I came from nothing but a nothing like nothing
I started from the bottom with no advantages.
Nothing - like nobody thought i was something
People didn't believe in me or see my potential.
Nothing - like called every name in the book
I was insulted and criticized constantly.
But for every second guess I never gave a second look
I never let the doubts of others bring me down or stop me from pursuing my dreams.
I tell myself "Don't let it get to me!"
I remind myself to not let negative comments or opinions affect me.
'Cause if the best they've got its not impressing me
I know my own worth and am not impressed by the opinions of others.
Then there's no reason they should get the best of me
I won't let others bring out the worst in me or defeat me.
Why they're aiming at my words - that's the rest of me
People criticize my work but they don't define who I am as a person.
I got the feeling that there is more like me.
I believe that there are others who have gone through similar struggles as me.
Born in Babylon but you just got to be free.
Growing up in a difficult environment doesn't mean you can't overcome it and become free.
Shackles on your feet that you and me can't see,
There are obstacles in life that are invisible but still hold us back.
But you can feel them and they heavy,
Even if we can't see the obstacles, we can still feel their weight and impact.
So you need that key!
We need to find a way to unlock the chains and break free from the obstacles holding us back.
And so you're looking at your hands sayin':
You may feel helpless but still searching for a solution.
"Man, if a distance is to me I could be mine."
If the circumstances were different, you could achieve whatever you set your mind to.
But then you hear a voice comin' from behind:
There are often voices of doubt and negativity that try to hold us back from success.
"Don't even think about steppin' out of line!"
People and society may try to keep us in our place and prevent us from exceeding expectations.
My friends are deep and they're all I've got.
My close friends offer support and encouragement when facing obstacles.
They stand up behind me if you like it or not.
My friends won't let the opinions of others stop them from supporting me.
And I'm telling you that the fire's hot.
I am passionate and determined to succeed despite the challenges I face.
Can you see that smoking?
My hard work and dedication is paying off and is visible to others.
Did you hear that shot?
My success is making an impact and is noticed by others.
'Cause this is the war that in the middle I am.
I am battling against the odds in pursuit of my dreams.
So judge me now with your pen in hand
Critics may write negative reviews, but that won't stop me from pursuing my goals.
'Cause I'm too busy to judge another man,
I'm not interested in criticizing others or getting involved in their negativity.
Trying to write a blueprint for all the world to understand
I am focused on my own success but also hope to inspire and help others to achieve their goals as well.
Contributed by Carson B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tara Mashay
on Here I Am
This guy is in love with a girl and tries pushing her away. They both care a lot about each other, for her own well being he tries to ignore her. But due to his life style of traveling she knows when he's around (tour dates posted online,etc) "she sees on her screen I am so here I am, here I am" he can't keep from seeing her because deep down they both want to be there so here he is. Neither of them care if they date other people normally because they both know they can't be together (maybe distance? Or he cares more about his passion for music?) "She don't call me one and only no she just calls me when she gets lonely" she gets lonely when she's not getting attention from other people where she is so she calls him to feel better because she's lonely and be gives in a lot to talk to her because he enjoys it. "I'm just a passing plan" sometimes he's able to stay away because he doesn't want her to be dependent on him when she's lonely. She knows he's always come back.