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
Easier
Soja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's what I've always wanted, it seems
It's almost predetermined to be
I'm always in between
It's like I always knew that I would
But never really perfectly could
Was waiting for the right thing to come
But never really know, yeah
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie
I mean it's easier, it's much more easier
Ooh, it's easier when you don't try
It's in the summer breeze, it's in the winter blows
It's in the innocent, it's in the criminals
It's in the real roots, it's in the real vibes
We get it down low, only to take it so high
And it's in the sky above and even in the trees
It's inside of you and it's inside of me
It's in a weird way, but I see it in the clouds
And the only one we get is it here right now, and it's
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie (when you don't lie)
Oh, it's much easier, (yes, it's easier) it's easier
It's much more easier when you don't try
Never really wanted to get a job that didn't benefit or supply
Work if note and bills stack up, covering up my sight
I don't qualify for your so called "regular life"
Wish you could see what we see and break out that single-filed line
So we blaze it if all of my people who feel underappreciated
Just live your life how you please even if dem nah rate it
And don't forsake it, don't even fake it
Soja, Anuhea, J Boog, yes we a go make it, make it
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie
I mean it's easier, it's much more easier
Ooh, it's easier when you don't try
The lyrics to Soja's song "Easier" describe the struggle of finding one's place in the world. The singer of the song feels like they have always been between things, never perfectly able to achieve their goals, waiting for the right thing to come along without really knowing what that is. The chorus suggests that it would be easier if they just stopped trying so hard or lying to themselves about what they want.
The second verse of the song explores the idea that this struggle is universal and can be found in both good and bad experiences. It's in the summer breeze and winter winds, in both innocence and criminality, and in the "real roots and vibes" that we experience in life. The chorus is repeated, underscoring the idea that honesty and not trying so hard is the key to making life easier.
The bridge of the song introduces a new perspective – that of someone who does not fit into the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle. The lyrics suggest that it's hard to find work that is fulfilling, and even harder to be appreciated for the work one does. The singer wishes that people could break out of their "single-filed line" and live life on their own terms, without worrying about what others think.
Overall, "Easier" is a song about the struggle to find one's place in life, and the idea that being honest with oneself and not trying too hard can make things easier.
Line by Line Meaning
It's never been a problem for me
I have always wanted this, it's not a problem.
It's what I've always wanted, it seems
I have wanted this my whole life, it feels right.
It's almost predetermined to be
It feels like fate that this is happening.
I'm always in between
I am in the middle of something, not entirely sure.
It's like I always knew that I would
I always felt like something like this would happen.
But never really perfectly could
But it never felt like it was fully realized or perfect.
Was waiting for the right thing to come
I was waiting for something to just click into place.
But never really know, yeah
But I was never entirely sure what it was.
It's in the summer breeze, it's in the winter blows
This feeling is everywhere, in nature and the seasons.
It's in the innocent, it's in the criminals
It's in everyone, no matter who they are.
It's in the real roots, it's in the real vibes
It's in authenticity and genuine feelings.
We get it down low, only to take it so high
We experience this in the lows, only to feel it even stronger in the highs.
And it's in the sky above and even in the trees
It's in everything around us, even in the sky and trees.
It's inside of you and it's inside of me
It's within us, it's part of us.
It's in a weird way, but I see it in the clouds
This feeling is strange, but I can see it in the clouds.
And the only one we get is it here right now, and it's
This feeling is only happening right now, in this moment.
Never really wanted to get a job that didn't benefit or supply
I never wanted a job that didn't add to my life in some way.
Work if note and bills stack up, covering up my sight
Working just to pay bills covers up what's important in life.
I don't qualify for your so called 'regular life'
I don't fit in with the norms of a typical lifestyle.
Wish you could see what we see and break out that single-filed line
I wish others could see what we see and break out of the ordinary.
So we blaze it if all of my people who feel underappreciated
So we move forward and make progress, especially for those who feel undervalued.
Just live your life how you please even if dem nah rate it
Live your own life, even if others don't understand or approve of it.
And don't forsake it, don't even fake it
Don't give up on your dreams, don't pretend to be someone you're not.
Soja, Anuhea, J Boog, yes we a go make it, make it
We will make it, no matter what, with the help of others.
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's so much easier when we are honest with ourselves.
It's much more easier when you don't lie
It's easier when we are truthful, rather than hiding or pretending.
Oh, it's much easier, (yes, it's easier) it's easier
It's easier than we think, and we should embrace that.
Ooh, it's easier when you don't try
It's easier when we let things happen naturally, rather than forcing them.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACOB CHARLES HEMPHILL, PHILIP MECKSEPER, JARELL HOUSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrollolucilfer9263
It's never been a problem for me
It's what I've always wanted, it seems
It's almost predetermined to be
I'm always in between
It's like I always knew that I would
But never really perfectly could
Was waiting for the right thing to come
But never really know, yeah
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie
I mean it's easier, it's much more easier
Ooh, it's easier when you don't try
It's in the summer breeze, it's in the winter blows
It's in the innocent, it's in the criminals
It's in the real roots, it's in the real vibes
We get it down low, only to take it so high
And it's in the sky above and even in the trees
It's inside of you and it's inside of me
It's in a weird way, but I see it in the clouds
And the only one we get is it here right now, and it's
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie (when you don't lie)
Oh, it's much easier, (yes, it's easier) it's easier
It's much more easier when you don't try
Never really wanted to get a job that didn't benefit or supply
Work if note and bills stack up, covering up my sight
I don't qualify for your so called "regular life"
Wish you could see what we see and break out that single-filed line
So we blaze it if all of my people who feel underappreciated
Just live your life how you please even if dem nah rate it
And don't forsake it, don't even fake it
Soja, Anuhea, J Boog, yes we a go make it, make it
That it's much easier, that it's much easier
It's much more easier when you don't lie
I mean it's easier, it's much more easier
Ooh, it's easier when you don't try
@chelle.convicto3466
Love this song!♥️♥️♥️ hope this could be a hit🙏 though it's been six years. So much love to Soja and Anuhea♥️♥️🥰 from your fan in the Philippines.
@vanderleiapereira9614
Canta demais! Sinto como se estiverce flutuando ao som de soja. 😃
@TheRealKingYeti
So grateful to see these 3 amazing artists making beautiful jams together 🤙❤
@marcosfelix6144
cara, é muito bom o som desses caras,eu curto demais eles. massa ,massa e massa.
@1LuvCherishLife
2023 still listening to Soja
So inspiring so much more then a musician 🙌
@millena47954
Soja melhor banda de reggae do mundo ♡
@oi_ne
Amo de coração! ❤ #Brasil #Paz Muita luz pra nós!
@fabianosantana7841
É nois kkk
@brunobarbosa2627
J Boog também é foda, no Brasil também tem que curte teu som.
@Faria.liniker
Parabéns!!!! Essa e todas as músicas são os melhores reggaes, cada lançamento um sucesso 👏👏