Born in Los Angeles, raised in Philadelphia and now representing New Orleans, LA, lyricist Ben Brubaker now joins forces with DJ Miles Felix to form the hiphop MC/DJ combo- "Soul Capital".
The duo brings a fresh sound and style to the game with conscious, yet entertaining lyricism and beats that make you move. Soul Capital blends jazz, funk, and reggae into a tight hip-hop sound reminiscent of old school groups such as De La Soul and Digable Planets. Still, the young duo has already shown that they are ready to lead the new school with a more cutting edge sound that crosses over traditional boundaries. Heavily influenced by artists like Common, Tupac, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and others, Brubaker has fashioned a unique style of lyricism that is both genuine and refreshing in comparison to the increasingly monotonous urban music landscape. Pulling stylistic elements from the best, such as Dj Premier, Hi-Tek, Kanye West and Timbaland, DJ Miles Felix has quickly developed a style that is both hot and unique, versatile and consistent at the same time. DJ Felix spins live, weekly, at the Palms and Club Gritz in New Orleans, and has already started to gain recognition among a large audience in the New Orleans area, particularly within the college crowd.
The name, Soul Capital, stems from the duo's shared philosophy in many ways. The purpose of this group is to walk the fine line between mainstream appeal and still remain true to the soul of the music, its message and its fans. Soul Capital is all about learning how to succeed in music (or life in general) by recognizing the reality of what IS, and always striving for WHAT COULD BE, OR SHOULD BE. In other words, the neccesity of providing for one's self in order to get by in life while always striving for a more sustainable and soulful existence.
It is a new approach to business and life, trying to strike a balance between the individual and the community, the music business and the art, the success and the true greatness. True greatness is not measured by wealth, fame or status, it is defined by the soul.
It is about you, me and the person next to us. As Brubaker raps, the group "Can't wait to get a little Capital/ and invest it in a method to impact the soul/ practical, effective so it has to hold". The group hopes to "make it big", but at the same time redefine what it means to "make it".
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Biography of Soul Capital MC, Ben Brubaker:
Ben Brubaker is a lyricist with something to prove. From an early age Ben has developed his strong musical background as a jazz percussionist, combining his experiences as a community activist with lyrical ability and a cutting edge sound, helping him to become an eclectic songwriter and performer. Bottom line, you could search the world over and not find another artist like him.
Ben’s career in music started from a young age, playing gigs in coffee shops and house parties in Philadelphia and the tri-state area. In 2005, Ben’s life was forever changed when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, flooding his apartment and erasing years of song lyrics and poetry. After evacuating to Shreveport, Ben refused to let Katrina stand in his way. In just two months, Ben managed to record a full-length album “Life as We Know It”, and sold over 500 copies to fans across the country, raising over $1,500 for the New Orleans recovery efforts. A few months after returning to New Orleans, Ben showed his initiative as an artist and a savvy music industry figure by heading up an annual benefit concert called “New Orleans Hip-Hop for Hope”, to raise money for local education. Since then, Hip-Hop for Hope has raised over $12,000 and featured artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Baby Boy da Prince, Raw Dizzy, Soul Rebels Brass Band, and many more. His commitment to the city of New Orleans and its music did not go unnoticed, and a variety of artists, media and organizations have since been working with Ben to create music and events which speak to the heart of the issues while remaining relevant to the popular trends of today. In 2007, Ben was selected as a top 20 finalist from a pool of over 1000 competing artist in the nationwide “Keep A Child Alive” on-line battle of the bands contest. His music was judged and chosen by celebrity artist, Common and producer Steven Lilly-white, among others, landing him as the only hip-hop artist in the finals and earning him a featured page on the KCA website.
Ben has performed on stage with a number of well-known artists, including Baby Boy da Prince, Dizzy (of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money), Rebirth, Soul Rebels, Sess 4-5, Partners n’ Crime and many others. He has performed in front of hundreds of fans in some of New Orleans most legendary venues, including Tipitina’s, House of Blues and the Howlin Wolf. Most recently, Ben has teamed up with musical prodigy, Miles Felix, to create a new sound that appeals to a variety of listeners across the country. Working for Atlantic Records since September 2007, Ben has accumulated important experience in the industry and is ready to employ those skills to further his own career. As a charismatic “go getter” with a “do it yourself” style, Ben is capable of handling the pressures of an evolving music industry landscape and clearly has the potential to make it big. Recently featured in publications such as the Gambit Weekly and Where Y’at, Ben’s talent as a lyricist, performer and promoter have earned him the reputation as one of the hottest up and coming artists in New Orleans. Most recently, Ben has joined DJ Miles Felix to create a new super duo reminiscent of Blackstar, called "Soul Capital", and hopes to release a new album with Miles (a.k.a Professor Felix) in the spring of 2008.
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Soul Capital: Fact Sheet
Band or Artist Name: Ben Brubaker (Soul Capital)
Musical Style or Genre: hip-hop
City of Origin: New Orleans, LA
Key Quote(s)-
*“I’ll be forever rockin’ hip-hop and population moving music, I’ll never lose it as long as I never abuse it”
- A Sign of the Times, 2005
Names of band members and instruments played:
Vocals/ Producer - Ben Brubaker
DJ/ Producer- Miles Felix
Background Information:
~Ben has released 4 full length albums: “Not a Care in the World” (2002), “The Lost Boy Chronicles” (2004), “Life as We Know It: Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort 2005” (October, 2005), “A Sign of the Times” (2005)
~As well as 4 successful mix tapes:
“Audubon Sessions, Vol 1” (March, 2005), “Down the Line” (July, 2005), “The Black and White Mixtape”(December 2005), “Mile Stone Mixtape” (2007)
Ben has sold over 5,000 units in more than a dozen states by word of mouth alone.
~Ben has performed in a wide range of venues including private parties, schools and colleges, and clubs including:
-Opening for Lyrics Born at the House of Blues, New Orleans
-A Performance with Soul Rebels and Baby Boy da Prince at Tipitina’s, Uptown New Orleans
- A performance with the Rebirth Brass Band at the Howlin’ Wolf.
- Performances at Le Bon Temps , Carrolton Station, the Dragon’s Den, the Boot, & the Hangar.
Ben has also performed at a variety of venues around the country: The Point (Bryn Mawr, PA), Mamma Maria’s Beach Bar (Dewey Beach) , Arena’s (Dewey Beach, DE), Pasa Tiempo (Tamarindo, Costa Rica), Bear’s (Shreveport, LA), and more.
College Performances: Tulane University (LA), University of New Orleans (LA), The College of William and Mary (VA), and the Lawrenceville School (NJ).
~Ben has performed and made live appearances on a variety of radio stations: Q93 (Clear Channel), WBOK AM, W&M; College Radio, WTUL 91.5 FM, U. Penn College Radio, Welsely College Radio.
~Ben has also appeared on a variety of television shows; New Orleans Channel 6 News- Mid-Day Report, 2-Cent Entertainment (on ABC in Dallas and New Orleans), WNOA Talk to Me New Orleans.
Current Activities and Plans:
~Ben is currently working on his highly anticipated album with DJ Miles Felix, called “Soul Capital”, which is already seeing spins on college radio and in clubs around New Orleans.
~Ben is currently a student at Tulane University in New Orleans and continues to perform and collaborate with musicians such as Outlaw Nation, Trevor Jones (the Zoo), Brotherhood of Groove, J-Dubble, Raw Dizzy, Dappa, the Keep Moving Project, Jealous Monk (with members from Trombone Shorty’s “Orleans Avenue”) and more.
~Ben is now heading up a promotional group in New Orleans called “South Pa Music”, in conjunction with “Fly Tracks Promotions”, performing with artists such as 5th Child, Jimi Clever, Floopy Head and Killa B. (www.southpamusic.blogspot.com)
Contact:
Ben Brubaker
SpunTV, New Orleans, LA
VP of Marketing and Promotions
bbrubaker@spuntv.com
www.spuntv.com
or email DJ Felix at:
soulcapital@gmail.com
Website(s):
www.soulcapitalmusic.com
www.myspace.com/soulcapital
www.thesixtyone.com/soulcapital
www.reverbnation.com/soulcapital
www.benbrubakermusic.blogspot.com/
