Fresh Soul

On the outskirts of the in-crowd sits a group of extremist. Excluded from the “cool” clique but far too esteemed to be considered outcasts; the MisFits.

Fresh Soul, “Public Misfit number 1”, simply put is musically impressive, thought-provoking and genuinely enjoyable for anyone with an ear. With unscripted calculated lyrics drenched in a southern drawl infested melodic tone; the music seems to travel from your earlobes into your heart; sending you into the deepest corners of your mind.   

The sound is foreign; definitely in a field of its own. Whoever gets stuck labeling the official genre of Fresh Soul is in for a real dilemma because to call it rap seems to be an understatement; but there’s far too much pain and range in the content to throw an R&B label on him as well. He describes his sound as, “M&S” (melody and soul).   

I think there are two words that best describe his music. Fresh (different) Soul (forever). His story is one that’s riddled with pain, loses, betrayal and mistakes; but what can be seen on display from start to finish is his tenacity and ability to adapt.   Born in Winter Haven, Florida to a Baptist pastor and a school teacher, Soul grew up in a cross between multiple worlds. The allure of the streets on one side, education and scholastic pursuits and religion. Needless to say, he tried them all. None of them filling the void with purpose and direction; he continued to search.   

The streets became a playground; school became a joke and religion was required to live in his father’s house. After graduating in 2008, he pulled a short college stint in Melbourne, Fl. but after losing a full scholarship due to poor attendance and academic performance he dropped out. The first time.   

In 2014, after years of aimless attempts to excel illegally Soul shifted directions and was ordained as a Baptist minister. Now, a six time college dropout still trying to feel his way through who he was he set out to open his own storefront church. Religion soon proved to be as empty and heartless as the streets; he walked away from the church confused and in doubt of his entire existence in 2018.   

Fresh Soul found himself in his garage sifting through old pictures and papers, when he stumbled across a stage play he’d began writing based on his adult life. He finished the production and presented it in May 2019 in Ocala, Fl. While the play seems to have been an interesting event that crossbred film & stage play; it’s the music that I believe will solidify Fresh Soul in the world of entertainment.   

The sound is young and fresh but the mind of the artist is ancient and wise. Humbly he dodges credit for his lyrics, but he is known for complex hooks and verses riddled with tangled pictures aligned in an orderly fashion that he doesn’t write down.    

Many won’t understand it, but Fresh Soul was adamant that after years of performing and auditioning for a world never satisfied he’s set on enjoying his freedom and recent found confidence that allows him the opportunity to engage with some of the world’s most broken and damaged people.   It’s admirable when he speaks on his desire to uplift those often overlooked. He visions himself helping re-educate and reinventing the black community through technological and social advances. His dreams of universal unity displayed through affectionate communication will likely remain just that... a dream. But, there’s something in my gut that tells me that he won’t go down in our minds as merely an artist or an author or filmmaker.   

His heart for people will propel him far beyond that. When I consider his weaknesses I am left with nothing to do but nit-pick his conversation points that sometimes are too transparent for the social media age he has risen amongst. I don’t think we will ever look back and regret giving this scarred, marketable rebellious thinker his rightful spot amongst the greats. He’s the one we didn’t plan for; but we’re glad he came!