10 Soulection Artists That You Should Know

The importance and relevance of SoundCloud as a platform for launching music careers is without question or debate. SoCal's Soulection is a primary ex

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Complex Original

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The importance and relevance of SoundCloud as a platform for launching music careers is without question or debate. SoCal's Soulection is a primary example of this. As a radio show, label, and collective, Soulection has been creating and surfing their own wave of futuristic beat music with R&B, house, trap, footwork, and bass informing sensibilities taking center stage. Through a consistent effort and output, Soulection has become a stellar example of what a team can do together in the internet age to bring together people and create culture. Though the team and roster is far bigger and deeper then what's listed here, here are 10 of Soulection's stars you should know.

Mr. Carmack

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Hawaii's Mr. Carmack no doubt is one the most hyped and talked about producers on these interwebs, and Soulection has been no small part of that. He's had releases on Mad Decent and others by now, but his association with Soulection has been the primary driving force (other then his amazing beats, of course) in his blowing up. The guy just churns out releases and he often tours with Soulection crew and releases with them, too. His diverse style of production has already inspired copycats throughout the beat scene, but Soulection keeps him front and center as they should, just so everyone knows who's really delivering the goods.

Dpat

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Dpat doesn't have the deep catalog of releases that a lot of these artists do, but his are of no less quality. The Houston-based Soulection star has already started playing shows as a DJ and with a live band as he brings a deep and dark yet emotive style of downtempo beats. The few releases he has out are consistent and startlingly good. Seeing this guy grow alongside the Soulection sound has been and will continue to be a treat.

Ta-Ku

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Australia's Ta-ku has released a grip of material through Soulection and even despite that he says they are not his label; they are his family. Ta-ku's style ranges from dubbier numbers to sleepy Dilla-style cuts to trapped out R&B remixes with killer chops and bass. The man is simply cozy within a range of styles and isn't afraid to try different things, something that I feel is a mark among Soulection's stars.

Abjo

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Abjo has been on DAD a grip of times. Often combining elements of high-speed footwork and juke breaks with funky soulful beats and grooves, San Diego's Abjo isn't one for a simple singular style these days. Abjo relishes creative experimentation as he adds his own touch to classic rap and R&B numbers. Left-field trippiness is part of what drives Abjo's sound and he's only getting better at infusing it.

Andre Power

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Andre Power isn't in the limelight like some of the guys on this list, but he's no less important. As one of the co-founders of Soulection, the art director, and a resident DJ for Soulection's event series, The Sound of Tomorrow, Power effectively curates much of what makes Soulection what it is. Now he's slowly venturing into production as well and there's no doubt that they will only get better. This one track "Killa" proves that.

LAKIM

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As one of the sole East coast based Soulection members, LAKIM has done well one his own to hold down the fort. Not only did he release one of our favorite albums with his debut LP earlier this year in This Is Her, but he's been once of the most exciting and dynamic to watch grow. Whether he's making slick deep house R&B edits or underwater footwork flavor, LAKIM brings a sensitive touch to his soulful beats that'll just knees buckling. When I think of Soulection, LAKIM is absolutely one of the first to come to mind.

Sango

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Michigan's Sango is one of the dudes you might know about, bump in the whip, and still not totally know just how good he is. He's been behind a grip of amazing releases on Soulection's catalog, including his album North and his two Brazil inspired beat tapes, Da Rocinha 1 and 2. He's also part of a a Michigan collective called AGO and out of that he's worked with fellow Soulection-affiliates Waldo and Atu and it's through that, we've seen Sango spread his wings. It's only the beginning for this guy.

ESTA

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ESTA is no doubt one of the first names peeps come across when they get hip to Souleciton. The SoCal producer was one of the first to gain real traction with the Souleciton name and has since grown to be a producer of his own caliber. He'll deliver thumping ambient inspired trap joints and then some off beat dilla-inspired chilled out house on the next tip. No matter what, ESTA is a producer who seems to pride himself on a continual and evident progression. He's not holding back nor is hiding behind long delays between releases–he has his process and isn't hiding. We're all better for it.

GoldLink

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While Soulection is primarily known as a collective for incredible producers and DJs, their roster would not be complete without the quickly blowing up and buzzed about DMV born and bred MC, GoldLink. With the drop of his debut project, The God Complex, GoldLink attained critical acclaim on nearly every single hip-hop publication on the internet and dance music blogs alike. He reps Soulection hard and continually works with guys from the collective to craft his sound. Having GoldLink be a part of the Soulection collective not only is great simply because of the combined talents, but highlights how Soulection truly is the sound of tomorrow as instrumental tracks and standalone tracks.

Joe Kay

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There'd simply be no Soulection without Joe Kay. Yes, the artists are the ones filling up his promo inbox and making the content for the show, but Joe Kay has been curating and selecting with a purpose and a mission from the beginning. As one of the founders of the Sound Of Tomorrow, Kay has taken his job as a cultural shaman with the utmost sincerity, and it shows. He's tirelessly working behind the scenes on Soulection, he's voicing the radio show every week, and he'll speak out on issues.

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