Austin Music Minute

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May 12, 2023

Where the Journey Goes

By: Laurie Gallardo

In an Austin Chronicle 2022 cover story, J Soulja didn’t hesitate expressing his gratitude in an interview with Derek Udensi. For the Austin-based hip-hop artist, having struggled to make ends meet in his life, understanding the importance of lifting others around him felt like a revelation. And from helping others comes a fulfillment, an empowerment far outreaching his own success. “I done put my 10,000 hours in,” he explained to Udensi. “I don’t mind you rap better, get farther, whatever. I don’t give a f–k. I want to see you win! Let’s open these doors up, that way [people] can walk through them because there’s n—-s out here who don’t rap anywhere close to me but are surpassing things a lot more than what I may have ever been able to touch…”

The reality for J Soulja is about empowering the community at large. From media coverage to performing at festivals, to getting statewide and national attention, he continues utilizing his platform to uplift his peers in the industry. Organizing shows like the Smoke Out, representing during SXSW, preserving the African American cultural legacy as Director of Cultural and Artistic Liberation for Austin’s Six Square, all of it contributes to this goal.

J Soulja’s next show immediately follows the Get Busy Or Die Tour show going down tonight, Friday May 12, at Stubb’s on Red River. After you catch $NOT, Night Lovell, EEM Triplin, DC the Don and Micro, head on over to J Soulja’s set at Stubb’s indoor venue. Doors at 10:30 p.m.

-Special thanks to Fresh Knight for his assistance with today’s AMM.


Episodes

June 2, 2021

Fuego Del Alma

This is a big deal. Just envision psychedelic soul meeting Tejano soul, and deciding it’s time for a blowout. BAM. Brace yourself for a sensational Thursday night residency coming up at the recently reopened C-Boys Heart and Soul, 2008 S. Congress Ave. Every Thursday night in June, catch performances by The Los Sundowns, featuring Grammy […]

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June 1, 2021

Thanks For Having Me

Sometimes, all it takes is the magic of simplicity – and a few funky dance moves, and you’ve got yourself a badass music video. The Stacks‘ “Chicon,” is a nighttime traipse through empty parking lots and a few assorted spaces brightly lit by neon revealing a mostly deserted city. Shot in April 2020, the camera […]

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May 27, 2021

That State of Mind

This Memorial Day weekend, the Lone Star State of Mind event at ACL Live will feature outstanding musical talent –  with plenty of reppin’ for Austin and Houston. You’ve got two heavy hitters headlining the Moody Theater, The Suffers and Sweet Spirit. At 3Ten, it’s more fire in the line-up with performances by Zach Person […]

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May 26, 2021

Vortexas Vorever

As the story goes, songwriter Benjamin Violet recalls a very specific time on the road, inspiring the mood of his band Pelvis Wrestley‘s debut LP, Vortexas Vorever. “I woke up early in West Texas on a long drive with my friend, Susanna, intuiting that we weren’t quite east enough,” Violet says. “My mind was set […]

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May 25, 2021

Bloomhouse Rock

Upon first glance, your Austin Music Minute host thought it looked like a house made entirely of bone. The natural flow, the endless curves, the overall feel to it is both strangely palatial but somehow nestled in the Shire. And it would have to be from the skeleton of a massive dinosaur to make an […]

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May 21, 2021

How We Rock

This is how you get your face melted. Of course, your AMM host is a bit partial to the two badass bands who are taking on the task this weekend. With many fans abroad, dynamic rock duo The Ghost Wolves is chomping on the bit to hit the road again to all parts of the […]

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May 20, 2021

Radio Friday

Despite (should that be, “in spite”…maybe “in defiance”?) of the lack of live shows, a lot of incredible music has been born during the pandemic. Last October, Good Field unleashed a new single that premiered on KUTX’s Song of the Day, “Coyote (Living Free).” Something seductive and menacing about the coyote’s hunt for its prey, […]

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May 19, 2021

Musical Roots

Today’s AMM rocks the glowing and effervescent “Often” from the album Love Art Growth II by Ivy Roots. Do you see what we mean by the voice that will carry you to the light you need? Roots’ voice is that light. The artistry of this Austin-based songwriter is drawn from an organic, stripped-down style of performing – […]

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