Daily Inspiration: Meet King Sol

Today we’d like to introduce you to King Sol

Hi King, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started when, as a 13 year old in Mexico, I began performing with versatile bands in weddings and quinceañeras. My father and grandfather were professional musicians and taught me everything they knew. They would also allow me to sit in with their band at their gigs. That is where I gained much of my experience and the versatility heard in my music. I performed with them until my late teen years, when I moved to America and formed a band with a group of friends. Somewhere along the way, I discovered a message I carried in my heart which I felt had to be expressed through music. I got the urge to start writing my own songs to bring awareness to socio-political issues that hit close to home. I began to incorporare messages of rebellion and a demand for social justice in our lyrics. I was in a few bands before I met Vibe and co-founder of the current band, Willy Will. Once we began to build our current project (King Sol & the Vibes), I kept at it and didn’t stop. Countless performances and many recordings later, here I am: still on a journey to spread love, hope and positivity with our music.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In all of my years as an entertainer, I can’t recall a single year where everything was smooth. One of the first struggles I faced was making it and thriving as an undocumented immigrant. I left many friends and family in Mexico. Although I was extremely blessed with people and opportunities that made it possible to live my passion, I always struggled with the fact that part of my heart stayed in Mexico with the people and culture I grew up with. Throughout the years, it has also been a challenge to keep a project like this going. Just finding the right people and the resources needed to hold a band like ours can be a challenge. Willy and I just kept our minds and focus on making music. Eventually the universe responds to that energy and people and situations seem to effortlessly fall out of the sky. Things fall into place to allow us to keep going. It’s not always that easy. Personal sacrifices have been made. It’s a part of the journey, though. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been active in the LA music scene for 18 years (12 of those years as King Sol & the Vibes) performing anywhere humanly possible, but most importantly, spreading my gospel. I try to bring uplifting Vibes and awareness with my music. I’m proud of the fact that, regardless of obstacles and setbacks, I’m still going. I never stopped. I was put on this earth to make music and spread my message and I have dedicated myself to to that very passionately. I’ve made it my life’s most important mission

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Somewhere out there exists a home tape of me, as a toddler, singing at a relative’s wedding so I feel like music has always been a part of me. However, it wasn’t until middle school that I got the urge to learn instruments seriously. I learned how to play alto saxophone, keyboards, and drums. Around that time, I was fascinated with the Doors, the Beatles, Santana and other classic rock bands. Those were my heaviest influences. In high school, I got into Jamaican music, which drove me to pick up the bass , guitar and to get political and spiritual with my songwriting. Once I could play all the basic instruments on a recording, I began making demos of some of my original tunes. When I entered the world of music, it was hard to get me out of it. I even got expelled from school in 8th grade for not turning in a single piece of homework the entire school year because I dedicated all my time to music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4iYxgancLoKojQUwbWkIGT?si=WwBlq7qrQz-8djNtA5t9gQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/king_vibes_official?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingsolmusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kingsolthevibes5183?si=YTEYBH19h4HHMX51

Image Credits
Sonia Gurrola
Tha G Journal