SOJA
SOJA are an eight-member reggae band from Virginia, bringing roots reggae, rock and songs about connection to fans around the world.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends SOJA’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once SOJA claims this page.
Latest
SOJA’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
ATO Records
ATO Records
ATO Records
ATO RecordsOverview
- Home
- Arlington, Virginia
- Formed
- 1997
- Name
- Soldiers of Jah Army
- Sound
- Roots reggae with rock influences
- Breakout
- Strength to Survive (2012)
- Members
- Eight, with Jacob Hemphill on lead vocals and guitar
Mini bio
How it started.
SOJA stands for Soldiers of Jah Army. Formed in Arlington, Virginia in 1997, the group grew out of school friendships. Their official Bandcamp biography remembers the early days as friends teaching one another to play roots reggae in a basement near Washington, DC.
Finding their audience.
Independent releases and years of touring helped SOJA build an international audience. Their 2012 ATO album Strength to Survive became a breakout, topping the reggae chart. Amid the Noise and Haste followed in 2014, earning a Grammy nomination in 2015.
A band built on connection.
SOJA’s eight-member lineup includes lead singer and guitarist Jacob Hemphill, bassist Bobby Lee, drummer Ryan Berty, percussionist Kenny Bongos, keyboardist Patrick O’Shea, saxophonist Hellman Escorcia, trumpeter Rafael Rodriguez and guitarist and singer Trevor Young. Their horn section and guest collaborations are part of the sound fans know.
Beauty, then a new chapter.
Beauty in the Silence brought together guests including Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution and Ali Campbell. It won Best Reggae Album at the 2022 Grammys. In 2026, SOJA followed it with Without Surrender, continuing that collaborative approach with artists including Kabaka Pyramid, Maoli and The Elovaters.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026Without SurrenderRecording artist
- 2021Beauty in the SilenceRecording artist
- 2014Amid the Noise and HasteRecording artist
- 2012Strength to SurviveRecording artist
Awards
Quotes
The real key to life is in being still.Jacob Hemphill, SOJA official biography
Reflecting on the ideas behind Beauty in the Silence. Source: https://www.sojamusic.com/media
Trivia
- Both Amid the Noise and Haste and Beauty in the Silence take their titles from Max Ehrmann’s poem Desiderata. Hemphill says his father would recite it to him before tours.
- Trevor Young worked as SOJA’s guitar technician before becoming their lead guitarist.
- Press Rewind began with a beat Collie Buddz played on his phone on a tour bus.
- Hemphill and Young started writing Break It Down in a hotel room in New Caledonia.
Find SOJA
Follow the band for new music, videos and show announcements.
Are you SOJA?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.