2014
The Pier (2014, Dec 30)
SOJA Wins 2014 Artist of the Year, Album of the Year
“SOJA had an exceptional year touring the world from the US to Europe & South America, playing 90+ dates and headlining many festivals…”
Jamaica Observer (2014, Dec 8)
SOJA Upbeat with Grammy Nomination [Interview]
“The group, scheduled to make their debut appearance at next month’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival got the nod for their sixth studio effort Amid the Noise and the Haste…”
La Grosse Télé (2014, Oct 14)
Interview de Jacob Hemphill – SOJA [Video] [Interview]
“Malgré une météo difficile un nombreux publique de fan s’est pressé pour voir et entendre SOJA en tournée en France à l’occasion de la sortie de leur album Amid the Noise and Haste. Jacob Hemphill a eu la gentillesse de répondre à quelques questions.…”
LatiNation (2014, Oct 10)
SOJA Wants Change [Video] [Interview]
“While growing up in Africa, young Jacob Hemphill was bitten by the activist bug, and when he heard Bob Marley for the first time, it was clear to him he wanted to start a band with something to say…”
Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine (2014, Oct 7)
Jacob Hemphill of SOJA, Part Two: Examining Life Through Music (Versions: Print, Online) [Interview]
WorldAReggae (2014, Sep 27)
Interview with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill in Amsterdam [Video] [Interview]
“Danny Pepperseed talks to SOJA’s lead singer Jacob Hemphill about the “Amid the Noise and Haste” album, SOJA’s view on reggae music, and the European 2014 Tour…”
NPR Music (2014, Sep 25)
SOJA On World Cafe, Interview & Live Performance [Audio] [Interview]
“On World Cafe, charismatic bandleader Jacob Hemphill says he writes SOJA’s lyrics as an attempt to find a path to unity in the world. He and his band also perform songs on the World Cafe Live stage in Philadelphia, recorded in front of a large crowd…”
MTV Iggy (2014, Sep 9)
SOJA: Surprisingly Real Reggae from the DC Suburbs [Interview]
“With six albums under their belt and a label home with the Dave Matthews-owned ATO Records, SOJA has cultivated a dedicated global fanbase with their socially conscious lyrics, catchy sound and a ceaseless touring schedule…”
Billboard (2014, Sep 4)
SOJA and the American Reggae Movement: D.C. Band Makes ‘Noise’ With Highest Debut [Interview]
“If contemporary reggae with a forthright social conscience has a chance of impacting mainstream radio, SOJA is likely the band to accomplish that feat…”
Honolulu Pulse (2014, Aug 31)
SOJA Album Tells Listeners To Look Within [Interview]
“Before the band embarked on a four-island tour that ends with the Oahu show, Hemphill discussed details about the meaning of “Amid the Noise and Haste,” his love of Hawaii and love for his “Easier” collaborators, and SOJA’s overall message…”
MauiTime (2014, Aug 27)
Talking Story with Jacob Hemphill of SOJA [Interview]
“The band’s second release on the label ATO Records has made some history already. It’s the first time SOJA worked with multiple Grammy-nominated producer Supa Dups and the first time Dups has done a whole album…”
Live For Live Music (2014, Aug 23)
Review of SOJA – Amid the Noise and Haste
“Amid the Noise and Haste is a slight shift from SOJA’s early roots rock work, but collectively the album’s 17 tracks are consistently appealing and sincere. SOJA continues to grow musically with each subsequent effort and the band’s message remains clear…”
Jamaica Observer (2014, Aug 17)
A New Noise From SOJA [Interview]
“In an interview with the Sunday Observer, SOJA frontman Jacob Hemphill explained the concept behind the album…”
D.C. Music Download (2014, Aug 12)
SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill On Finding Success Outside of D.C. [Interview]
The Pier (2014, Aug 11)
Review: SOJA – Amid the Noise and Haste
“Amid the Noise and Haste is another strong showing by rock-reggae royalty, SOJA. The album is what fans expect from SOJA — socially conscience lyrics and familiar reggae sounds. But, Amid the Noise and Haste includes a couple nice twists…”
Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine (2014, Aug 7)
Jacob Hemphill of SOJA, Part One: Seeking Answers Within (Versions: Print, Online) [Interview]
Relix Magazine (2014, Aug 7)
Live at Relix: SOJA “Promises and Pills” [Video]
“SOJA previews their forthcoming album, Amid the Noise And Haste (set for release on August 12) via this rooftop acoustic performance…”
Human Rights Campaign (2014, Aug 6)
SOJA Doubles Down on Marriage Equality Support with New Track
“The reggae band SOJA recently released a track on its new album titled, “Translation of One,” which the band hopes will raise awareness about the fight for LGBT equality. Using an uplifting tempo as the background to the song’s empowering message, the band hopes to change hearts and minds through the power of music…”
iTunes Music (2014, Aug 6)
Live Facebook Q&A with SOJA Hosted by iTunes [Interview]
Amoeba Music (2014, Aug 5)
SOJA – What’s In My Bag? (Season 7, Episode 352) [Video]
“Jacob, Hellman & Trevor from reggae band SOJA go shopping at Amoeba Music in Hollywood for our Webby Award winning “What’s In My Bag?” series…”
Alter-Native on The Independent FM (2014, Aug 4)
Jacob Hemphill Interview on Alter-Native with Native Wayne Jobson [Audio] [Interview]
“Jacob Hemphill of SOJA talks with Jamaican-American Grammy-winning record producer Native Wayne Jobson on his nationally-syndicated, weekly rock reggae radio show Alter-Native on The Independent FM…”
Remezcla (2014, Aug 1)
Exclusive: SOJA’s “Like It Used To” featuring Mala Rodriguez
“The 8-piece, Washington D.C.-based band SOJA has dropped a track delivering some hip hop and rocksteady leanings, made complete with verses laid down by Spanish rap force la Mala Rodríguez…”
Origin Magazine (2014, Aug 1)
Jacob Hemphill of SOJA: Nurturing The World Through Music (Versions: Print, Online) [Interview]
VH1 Music News (2014, Jul 29)
Premiere: Chill Out And Hit The Beach With SOJA’s “I Believe” Video
“Get ready to get funky, because the Virginia-based reggae band SOJA dropped their latest video “I Believe” today! The eight-person collective’s latest clip fits perfectly with the breezy and tropical vibe of the tune…”
ARTISTdirect (2014, Jul 21)
Jacob Hemphill of SOJA [Interview]
“SOJA unlock another world on Amid the Noise and Haste. Releasing August 12, the D.C. group’s fifth full-length album merges a distinct groove, alternative spark, and entrancing energy with ponderous lyricism for their most expansive and enigmatic offering yet…”
USA TODAY (2014, Jul 7)
Song Premiere: Reggae Group SOJA Reveals ‘Shadow’
“Lead singer Jacob Hemphill explained the inspiration behind the song “Shadow” in an e-mail to USA TODAY…”
SheKnows (2014, Jun 17)
SOJA On Why We Need More Reggae On Top 40 Radio [Interview]
“We wondered what reggae’s place in the future of radio was, and Hemphill shared that it was more about the message preached than the sound with which it’s delivered…”
Complex (2014, Jun 16)
Premiere: Listen to SOJA’s “Your Song” ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
“Eight-piece DMV band SOJA has penned a reggae-inspired track titled “Your Song,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining identity and strength while chasing your dreams. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley joins the sun-tinged, laid-back single, adding his authentic Jamaican roots to the mix…”
DC101 (2014, Apr 30)
Roche Talks To Jacob Hemphill from SOJA [Video] [Interview]
DC101 (2014, Apr 29)
SOJA World Premiere: “I Believe”
“SOJA is releasing a brand new song called I Believe and DC101 has the world premiere. Jacob Hemphill will be in the studio talking about the new single, the new album, the summer tour and much more…”
2013
Human Rights Campaign (2013, Oct 15)
Straight Ally Jacob Hemphill of SOJA Joins HRC’s Equality Rocks Campaign [Video]
“Straight ally Jacob Hemphill of Reggae band SOJA voiced his support for marriage equality as part of HRC’s Equality Rocks campaign. SOJA joins a growing list of musicians standing with the Human Rights Campaign on the right side of history…”
OnStage TV (2013, Jun 22)
Jacob Hemphill Talks Revolution, Reggae with Jamaica’s OnStage TV (Segments: 1, 3, 4, 5) [Video] [Interview]
Jamaica Observer (2013, May 24)
Band SOJA Marches On [Interview]
“SOJA has come full circle with its fourth studio album Strength to Survive which has consistently topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart which it has been on for the last 67 weeks…”
LargeUp (2013, Apr 26)
LargeUp Premiere: SOJA x Collie Buddz, “She Still Loves Me”
“SOJA have become one of the biggest names on the US reggae scene over the last decade, touring relentlessly and dominating the iTunes reggae charts…”
Reggaeville (2013, Jan 9)
SOJA “Strength To Survive” Named 2012 Album of the Year
MTV Iggy (2013, Jan 6)
Revolutionary Reggae Flows via SOJA [Interview]
“While the suburbs of Northern Virginia are known more as a hotbed of federal bureaucrats than reggae-slinging Rastafari, local boys SOJA have been cranking out rub-a-dub rhythms with a message of positive social change since 1997…”
2012
The Pier (2012, Dec 20)
SOJA Wins 2012 Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2012, Dec 3)
“Gone Today” off the album Strength To Survive, Live at NBC Studios [Video]
Rolling Stone Brasil (2012, Nov 23)
Ouça: SOJA e Falcão, d’O Rappa, Gravam Parceria
Rolling Stone Brasil (2012, Nov 15)
Estúdio RS # 29 – SOJA [Video]
Rolling Stone Brasil (2012, Oct 4)
“Salvar o planeta é uma causa egoísta,” afirma o vocalista do SOJA [Interview]
USA TODAY (2012, Jul 23)
Jacob Hemphill talks with USA TODAY’s Korina Lopez after a session in StudioA [Video] [Interview]
Rolling Stone (2012, Jun 16)
SOJA Talk About Reggae Roots and Politics at Bonnaroo [Video] [Interview]
“Jacob Hemphill and Bobby Lee of the Virginia-based reggae band SOJA met as first graders and were already performing together in middle-school hip-hop talent shows when they discovered the power of reggae. ‘It seemed like reggage was bigger than music in a way,’ Hemphill tells Rolling Stone in this interview at Bonnaroo…”
Relix (2012, May 30)
Summer Stars: SOJA [Interview]
“The transcendental appeal of the Washington, D.C.- based SOJA has as much to do with their simply and traditionally constructed reggae tunes as it does with their universally appealing messages of hope and peace…”
Relix (2012, Apr 18)
Live at Relix: SOJA “Strength To Survive” [Video]
Billboard (2012, Mar 12)
How SOJA Topped the Reggae Chart and Played 360 Gigs in 18 Months [Interview]
“Strength To Survive’s roots reggae, infused with strains of rock, folk and dub, provides a complementary framework for lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Hemphill’s sinewy vocals and poignantly drawn lyrics…”
2011
Pollstar (2011, Jul 29)
Hotstar: SOJA
“The lineup of vocalist/guitarist Jacob Hemphill, bassist Bobby Lee, percussionist Kenneth Brownell, keyboardist Patrick O’Shea and drummer Ryan Berty has grabbed attention with its positive message and high-energy shows for more than six years…”