SOJA

SOJA (an acronym of Soldiers of Jah Army) is an American reggae band based in Arlington, Virginia.

The eight-member band has released a number of singles, albums, and DVDs, including SOJA – Live in Hawaii.

[3] After forming SOJA in 1997, Jacob Hemphill, Bob Jefferson, Ryan "Byrd" Berty and Kenneth Brownell recorded their first album Creeping In in 1998.

[9] The album release party was held on January 6, 2006 at The State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia.

[11] It received 3.5/5 stars from Allmusic, with the website praising the band's growth as songwriters and Hemphill's vocal developments.

[14][15] In October 2017, they released their sixth album, Poetry in Motion on the ATO label with the following songs: "Moving Stones", "I Can't Stop Dreaming", "Tried My Best", "More", "Fire in the Sky", "Everything to Me", "Life Support", "Bad News", "To Whom It May Concern", "Sing to Me", and "I Found You".

On May 22, 2020, SOJA was featured as one of many reggae bands on Collie Buddz riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2020 with their single, "A Brief History", which was produced by Collie Buddz and mixed by Stick Figure's touring guitarist, producer Johnny Cosmic.

After a three year hiatus, SOJA released their seventh studio album, Beauty In Silence on September 24, 2021.

It was also recorded at New Jersey's Sterling Sound and Dave Matthews' Haunted Hollow Studio in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Featured album guest artists include: Collie Buddz, Dirty Heads, J Boog, Nanpa Basico, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, and UB40.

According to SOJA's Facebook page, Beauty in the Silence is being considered for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

Also, their song "Press Rewind" featuring Collie Buddz and J Boog is being considered for Best Global Music Performance.

SOJA at Merriweather Post Pavilion in 2011. Rafael Rodriguez (left) and Jacob Hemphill (right)
SOJA performing at Przystanek Woodstock 2013
Percussionist Ken Brownell in 2011