Ab-Soul Dishes Out Key Ingredients To ‘Soul Burger'
On his latest album, Soul Burger, he fuses his talents with the spirit of his close friend and collaborator, the late Armon 'Doe Burger' Stringer, who was killed in December 2021. Through 15 tracks, Ab-Soul ensures his brother's creative legacy lives on.
While sitting backstage before his performance at Red Bull's BC One tournament in Denver, VIBE sat with him and explored the inspirations behind some of the album's stand-out tracks. The Carson native's smile was just as sharp as the fresh braids neatly fashioned on either side of a deep center part. Despite his dark sunglasses, worn due to legal blindness caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome, suggesting a sense of mystique, one thing became clear: Ab-Soul is an open book for those willing not to judge its cover.
For nearly half an hour, the father of two engaged in conversation. We laughed, reflected, hugged, and connected on the unique ingredients that went into Soul Burger, how he prepared for the Good Vibes Only Tour: Smoker's Edition with Wiz Khalifa, Dom Kennedy, Earl Sweatshirt, and others, and much more.
VIBE: Congrats on the tour. How excited are you for that, and what cities are you most excited to hit?
Ab-Soul: I'm always always excited. I'm always appreciative and always looking forward to going out and touching the people, and actually feeling a response from the projects because it's literally kinetic. It's a really strange energy, and it's so important to me versus just releasing me when I should be chillin. I actually be feeling the energy, so that was very important. I don't have any particular cities that I'm looking forward to, but of course I love New York. I lived in the Bronx for a couple of years. That's where they say Hip-Hop started…That's what I heard. But, yeah, definitely looking forward to it, man. It's a blessing.
With this being The World Famous Soul Burger Tour, can fans expect the album top to bottom? Are you gonna bring some old stuff or new stuff? I'm planning to come to see you in Atlanta. What am I looking forward to when I pull up to this show?
Expect the best, man. Prepare for the worst. The worst meaning I said the craziest. It became crazier and crazier and crazier. You said Atlanta, right? Yeah, you see it? You'll get it later. But you know, I got collabs all over the place.
I've got a tour coming with Wiz Khalifa. We just hit Red Rocks for 4-20. Wiz is really cool, man. Real cool dude.
This is personal because you were gone for a minute, and life was life-ing. But with your last couple of projects, that momentum is coming back. You're outside more. What does the last few years feel like compared to prior years?
To be perfectly honest with you, at this point in my life, it's kinda like second nature. Like I said, man, I'm just grateful to still be alive, man. As you know, I done been through some sh*t. I've lost some important people to me. Like you said, life, lifing and all that. But Hip-Hop definitely keeps me going. It gives me purpose. To get up and keep trying and keep doing it and trying to be of service. Because no matter what I'm going through, I know somebody else is going through that. Going through something similar or worse. And if I can get up and keep going, then so can they. So I think that's the best way I could put that.
I want to talk a little bit about some of the songs on Can you talk about some of the collaborations on the album and how some of these tracks came to be?
The first one that comes to mind is '9 Mile.' That was very therapeutic for me. I wanted the album to come off sounding like Belly. The beat switch with the Eight Mile aesthetic was magical. It just happened. And that's how I like to let it happen organically. Come to find out, it's a Soul II Soul sample. Didn't think about that. And the song was about a near-death experience, and the album actually dropped on the same day as Eight Mile. [everyone laughs]
That was planned.
Absolutely not. I'm just a vessel. I'm like, it's not my fault. It was written… That's one of those that's one of those joints that just give me confidence or even faith in knowing that everything is as it should be. So it leads to 'California Dream.'
Ninth Wonder, one of my favorite producers of all time. For sure. Shout out to the big homie. Hearing Vince [Staples] over Ninth Wonder was just crazy to me. Not that you haven't heard him over soul samples or anything like that, but that was just like a dope aesthetic for me personally. And he delivered as he does. And that was dope.
The story behind 'Crazier' is that it was actually JID's record first. He asked me to get on it. Now what happened was, and shout out to the homie, Kal Banx. What happened was, Kal, I guess, just over time, I guess there was some kind of miscommunication, and he sold the beat to someone else. So JID's like, 'What's up with your man ?' [Ab-Soul impersonates JID].
So some time had passed, and then JID sent me another record to get on. JID, he goes so crazy, man. Shout out to the homie. The song he sent me didn't even need a feature on it. It was like, 'Yo, you sure you want me to rap on this as well?' He's like 'Yeah man, trust me.' So, I'm like, 'All right. Well, listen. If I do this, man, you gotta let me have Crazier.'
He's like, 'Alright, say nothing.' And then sure enough, I link up with Kal later on down the line, and he played me this 'Crazier' beat. We recreated it, extended it, and just made it Crazier. So that's the story there. The beat was called 'Pakistan.' I be paying attention. You gotta pay attention to the producers too. You gotta pay attention to how they label their stuff too. Sometimes they'd be spot on. That's a crazy story. Funny thing.
Are we getting a music video for it?
We thought about it. It could still happen. You know what I'm saying? And I believe I'm on his upcoming album as well. So look out for that. Anything could happen.
My favorite song from the album at the moment is 'Saudi Sweats.' What was your creative inspiration or your motivations behind that one?
It's actually very simple. 'Saudi Sweats' is actually… Because Soul Burger is not me. It's a fusion of me and my brother, Doe Burger. And one of our favorite artists is this kid Asaad. One of his nicknames is Saudi. He's into fashion, he's a designer. And he has these dope sweats. I still ain't even got me none. I need to get me some. They're like a stack a pair, man. Get your money out [laughs]. So he's just amazing. I really encourage everyone to check him out. And he's a real hidden gem, I think, by choice. He likes to be a rarity. The last album we listened to was his album New Black History Month. That was the last album that we listened to together before he passed. And so it was important for me to channel Saudi.
You 'stealing Saudi Money's whole flow.'
That wasn't even me. Shoutout to Saudi. You know the movie The Pursuit of Happyness?
I like how he pointed out the fact… He was talking about how it's life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Because happiness is not tangible. It's not something that you can hold in your hand. It's fleeting. And so you have to just have to enjoy your moments of happiness or peace with these things because they're momentous. You can't appreciate happiness without the journey. So anyway. I think I heard my auntie say, 'I ain't got time to be happy.' I think I actually got that from my auntie. 'I ain't got time to be happy right now. I gotta make you happy.' And it stuck with me.
It stuck with me, too.
See what I'm saying? You just got to… You can't chase it. You gotta appreciate it when it happens.
Can you tell me a little bit about that 'All That' With JasonMartin and Thirsty P?
It was very organic. I was in the studio. Lately, because I've been known to be so cerebral. I'm like Jackson Pollock right now, man. I just throw paint, and let it fall where it may, versus trying to be so meticulous, so specific, so calculated. I just really try to express myself in the most organic way. I don't even pick beats no more. I let the homies pick them for me. I tell all my guys, 'Yo, just send me three or four beats you need to hear me on.' Don't overwhelm me and send me 30 beats. I'm gonna get an aneurysm. Send me three or four joints that you need to hear me on. No. I don't have a vibe. No, I'm not on anything. I'm trying to find it. Help me.'
And that was one of the joints my man Rascal sent me. I think he collaborated with Tae Beast on that one. I just went in there, just did my two-step on it, and it just sounded crazy. I think [my tour manager] Matt [Miller] walked in like, 'See, this is what I'm talking about. We need more beats like this. This is the sh*t that's gonna work, man if you're trynna win.'
I think it is more so just about not thinking. It tends to happen when I stop thinking. I think even Jason said that when you start thinking, that's when you're forcing music. You're not even supposed to think. It's supposed to just happen. Quincy Jones said, 'Melody is the voice of God.' Find the melody, find the flavor, find that. And let the words or the poetry or the bars fall where they may. And I think that's the most important thing to me right now.
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USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Attempted murder charge. Bankruptcy. Music. The bizarre post-NFL life of Antonio Brown
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New York Post
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- New York Post
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My Big Gay Italian Casino Adventure Friday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves In this new installment of the two-decade-long saga, Anthony Pinnunziato sells his billion-dollar company, 'Body Body,' and ventures into the casino world, opening Pinnunziato Palace, the first-ever gay and lesbian casino in Atlantic City. While the grand opening sparks excitement, unexpected challenges, wild love triangles, and over-the-top characters shake things up in true Wilkinson fashion. *21+ event. Foreigner Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena Expect chart-topping ballads 'I Want to Know What Love Is' and 'Waiting for a Girl Like You' as well as high-energy rock anthems like 'Juke Box Hero' and 'Hot Blooded.' My Big Gay Italian Casino Adventure Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves In this new installment of the two-decade-long saga, Anthony Pinnunziato sells his billion-dollar company, 'Body Body,' and ventures into the casino world, opening Pinnunziato Palace, the first-ever gay and lesbian casino in Atlantic City. While the grand opening sparks excitement, unexpected challenges, wild love triangles, and over-the-top characters shake things up in true Wilkinson fashion. *21+ event. Khalid Friday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. Etess Arena The R&B/pop star is known for smash hits like Talk, Location, and Better. Dance Now America Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena Featuring Haddaway, Corona, Real McCoy, Jenny Berggren of Ace of Base, La Bouche, Daisy Dee of Technotronic, Crystal Waters, Cece Peniston, No Mercy, Ultra Naté, Jocelyn Enriquez, and Turbo B of Snap. Abhijeet Bhattacharya Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and nostalgia as legendary Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya performs timeless hits from classic films like 'Yes Boss,' 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari,' 'Baadshah' and 'Chalte Chalte.' Air Supply Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena The duo will celebrate their 50th anniversary with timeless love songs and soft rock classics. Warren Zeiders Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena The high-energy country music star will be joined by special guest and 'American Idol' winner Chayce Beckham. Freestyle Free For All Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena Featuring TKA, George Lamond, Noel, and C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams. Garden State Live Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves Featuring emerging NJ country artists Megan Knight, Holdyn, Barder, and Kenny Curcio. Nek Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves One of Italy's most iconic voices, he's known for timeless hits like 'Laura no está', 'Se io non avessi te' and 'Lascia che io sia.' Willie Colon Saturday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena The tropical music superstar is bringing along special guests Héctor Acosta 'El Torito' and Tomo Rosario. Earth Wind and Fire Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena The funky R&B heroes are known for 'Let's Groove,' 'September' and many other party-starting hits. Vic Dibitetto Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves A comedian known for his hilarious observations and larger-than-life personality. Earth Wind and Fire Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Etess Arena The funky R&B heroes are known for 'Let's Groove,' 'September' and many other party-starting hits. The Temptations and Four Tops Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves The Temptations deliver hits like 'My Girl,' and 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg' while The Four Tops take 'Reach Out I'll Be There' and 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)' to the stage. Garden State Live Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Sound Waves Emerging singer-songwriters featuring Max Davey, Maddie Hogan, and Camille K This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Popular water brand taking on Red Bull, Monster, and Celsius
Walk into any gas station or grocery store and the energy drink shelf almost glows. Red Bull, Monster, and Celsius dominate with bold cans, big promises, and even bigger caffeine counts. The category's become synonymous with intensity - both in branding and formulation. But with that dominance comes fatigue. For every ultra-energized gym rat, there's a consumer who wants a lift without the jitters - or a flavor that doesn't taste like battery acid. That disconnect created space. Related: These clean food brands are rightfully challenging the FDA And now one of the most disruptive beverage brands of the last five years sees an opportunity to shake things up. This company made its name with tallboy cans of water disguised as beer. It exploded online with edgy marketing, earned shelf space in major retailers, and built a surprisingly loyal base across Gen Z and Millennials. Now, it's betting that same formula: humor, health, and a little rebellion. That mix could help it punch through a market ruled by caffeinated giants. Its plan? Launch a new energy drink that dials everything down. Because when the entire industry screams, sometimes the smartest move is to whisper. Image source: ZikG/Shutterstock According to Food Dive, Liquid Death is entering the $23 billion U.S. energy drink industry with a bold yet counterintuitive strategy: less is more. Its new line, Liquid Death Sparkling Energy, will roll out in 2025 across four flavors: Tropical Terror, Scary Strawberry, Orange Horror, and Murder Mystery. Each can contains just 100 milligrams of caffeine, roughly half of what's standard for competitors like Celsius and Monster. That's not a mistake. It's the hook. The brand says many energy drinks have "gone overboard," citing the rise of 200+ milligram offerings that can leave consumers wired and crashing. Related: Heinz announces a genius new product fans will love Liquid Death is positioning itself as the balanced energy option. One that energizes without overwhelming. The drink is also sweetened with stevia and allulose (not sugar, aspartame, or erythritol), and includes naturally sourced caffeine from coffee beans, plus vitamins B12 and C. This marks the brand's fourth category expansion after water, iced tea, and flavored sparkling water. And it's well-timed: Liquid Death reported $303 million in scanned sales over the past year, a 63% increase year-over-year. With energy drinks already the No. 1 item purchased alongside its products, the brand sees massive upside and a ready-made customer base. Liquid Death isn't just launching another new drink. It's making a play to shift consumer expectations. Where most energy brands compete on more, Liquid Death is zagging toward less. Less sugar. Less crash. Less pressure to live like a high-performance influencer. It's a positioning move designed to resonate with health-conscious Millennials and Gen Z shoppers who've already made Liquid Death a viral success in other categories. Celsius, Red Bull, and Monster still dominate, but they face a potential blind spot: none offers a mainstream product that balances natural caffeine, clean ingredients, and low stimulation in the same irreverent, on-brand package. More in Retail: Why the latest Messi Stanley collab is smarter than it looksNike eliminating some classic sneaker modelsLululemon's pricing change sends an ominous sign Even a 1% share of the U.S. energy drink market could represent over $200 million in new revenue. For a company that built a business off canned water and attitude, it's a calculated leap - and one that could pay off quickly. Liquid Death already sells in major retailers like Target and Walmart, and its appeal goes beyond novelty. If the energy line lands, it could become more than a niche challenger. It could become the anti-Monster. And that might be its greatest strength yet. Related: Forget the ice cream man, try this healthy take on a summer treat The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
