Joe Kay, founder of the global music collective Soulection, celebrates 15 years of shaping culture through sound. “I feel grateful, I mean, to have any idea or business that goes past your mind to a reality, building a team, to being able to attract a crowd at a sold-out show,” Kay told EBONY. “It always is just a nice reminder, this is the team and crew that I’ve been praying for, and when it comes to just the identity and the levels of opportunities that we’ve been accomplishing in milestones, it’s just a blessing.”
Over the past 15 years, Soulection has evolved into a genre-defining collective recognized for its innovative and experimental approach to R&B, soul, Afrobeats, jazz, house, and electronic music. Continuing a collaboration that began during Marquis’ early select-market launch last year, Crown Royal partnered with Kay to bring the “Marquis Moments with Soulection” tour—celebrating the collective’s 15-year anniversary—to life.
“Celebrating 15 years of Soulection is really about celebrating the community that’s grown with us,” Kay said. “Everything we do starts with creating energy for the people on the dancefloor – that’s always been the heartbeat of DJing. Partnering with Crown Royal Marquis again felt right as Soulection enters our 15-year milestone because they understand the power of curating unforgettable moments.”
As Soulection embarks on this milestone celebration, the collaboration with Crown Royal Marquis not only highlights the collective’s rich history but also sets the stage for an exciting future. This partnership is a testament to music’s impact on community, inviting fans to join in celebrating creativity and connection.
“We put so much hard work and labor ourselves. Even when we’re producing events, we’ve always raised the money ourselves,” he said. “It’s taken about 12 to 13 years to get to this point, and we’re able to create so much more and be more comfortable and now that we have more partners, and working with the right people, we have more freedom to double down on the ideas that we truly want to carry on.”
As Kay reflects on the challenges faced in building this collective, he recognizes that it is the support and enthusiasm of the Soulection community that have made each milestone achievable. This celebration is not just about the past, but also the future of the legacy they are creating. “With the ‘Marquis Moments with Soulection Tour,’ we’re continuing to build experiences where music, culture and community move together authentically,” he said.
With this 15-year milestone, Joe Kay’s vision and dedication have not only transformed music but also curated a vibrant and passionate community. With a commitment to curating unforgettable experiences, Soulection continues to embody the aura of music as a unifying force. As they move forward, the collective remains focused on nurturing the spirit of collaboration and innovation, making sure that the heartbeat of their community remains strong for years to come.