Urban Buzz Factor Urban Heat: Soulja Blac – “Lizard Lick Da Money”

East Knoxville, TN – Artist Soulja Blac has experienced more in his twenty-nine years of life than most people do in one hundred; music has been the source of light and inspiration that has carried him through. At the young age of nine, Soulja knew music was in his bones. When Vanilla Ice would come on the radio, he’d match the rapper word for word, performing for family and friends who would visit. It wasn’t until his teenage years when the young artist realized that music could be far more than just a hobby. “I saw Bow Wow rapping and thought, ‘He’s my age!’” recalls Soulja Blac. Friends (James Cofer aka Lil Boonie & Robert Taylor) brought him into the first studio he’d ever stepped foot in, and that’s when he realized he had a true talent. “When I heard my voice played back I thought, I’m about to raise hell.” Soulja Blac did just that – only, he raised a little too much hell. So much so, that he ended up serving a five-year prison sentence on a drug charge. But, as challenging as his incarceration was, it became part of his story. Faced with a new reality, it gave Soulja time to think and discover that there was more to life than what he’d seen on the streets – there was more to life than shoot-outs and making a quick buck. It was then he knew that music, his ultimate passion, was going to see him through. It was the silver lining to an otherwise trying experience.

 Now, the young artist is “raising hell” in another way: with his music. Quick witted, clever, and upbeat, Soulja Blac’s music is inspired by a variety of artists and genres from Al Green and Usher to his rap idol Lil Wayne. “I’m a Lil Wayne fanatic,” admits Blac. His newest single, “Lizard Lick Da Money,” produced by Mr Smooth Beatz, is an anthem of mischief. Derived from his time spent with friends from Panama, Florida, who would help “lick the money,” (slang for a robbery) the way a lizard sticks his tongue out and swipes a fly without anyone seeing.

Besides his music, it’s his love for his friends, family, and community that have encouraged him through dark times. Now, he wants to spend his time, efforts, and resources giving back to those who have stuck by him. “I want to teach the youth that being geeky – going to college, making something of yourself – that’s cool.” The artist gushes about his mother, saying “he’d do anything for her,” about his nephew “Lil Bug” (CEO of Craving Power Records), and his personal assistant Brittany Kristen Phillos. it’s evident that Blac has deep love for his hometown of East Knoxville and for the people who have helped him get where he is today. And one day, Blac is certain he’ll hit the musical jackpot, and be able to give back to the people who have been there for him all this time.