Souls of Mischief

1993, West Coast… Dr Dre vs Eazy-E, Snoop Doggy Dog on the rise with his

debut album alongside the N.W.A don of production. Tupac with the

summer release of ‘I Get Around’, but caught up in alleged gun fights and

assault charges. G-funk the national conversation.

So when Souls Of Mischief came onto the scene with their funky outfits,

slammin’ beats and breazy attitudes – backed with a lyrical dexterity far

beyond their teenage years – a fresh hop to the bounce of the West Coast

was born.

“Sometimes it gets a little hectic out there…”, Tajai exclaimed in the

intro, “…

But right now we gonna up you on how we just chill”.

The California quartet announced themselves with harmlessly refreshing

confidence, on more of a Tribe tip with jazz-drips and groove-infused

rhythms – yet lyrically more adventurous and weed-scented; more of a

Pharcyde vibe with endlessly cool rhymes and multisyllabic wordplays – yet

more intellectual, energetic and freestyle-ready. A funky introspection was

clear to see. This was Oakland, California in 1993.

…Now, 30 years on, ’93 to ’23, into ’24, still infinity, still more to

give. Still

hectic out there. Time flies but Souls are still chillin. “Now you have

younger

generations who were born in ’93,” says Phesto. “They’re like, ‘

[literally] ’93

’til infinity.’ It means so many different things to so many different

people”