The frosted door of my Weber State shuttle opens as I pop my airpods into my ears. Stepping down quickly, I begin my semi-weekly speedwalk to my philosophy class. Keeping a steady pace as I cruise down the path with the snowy Rocky Mountains to my right, I let my shoulders relax as 702’s “Get It Together” floats in between my ears. In a stark contrast to my rush through the bitter wind, the host’s calm voice cuts through the warm, early 2000’s R&B: “Future beats, eclectic soul, forgotten gems, and timeless sounds. All brought to you by Joe Kay. This is Soulection Radio.”

Soulection is much more than just an online radio station. It is so dynamic and all-encompassing that I often struggle to explain the idea to those around me. Having started as a small California radio show back in 2011, the organization has since ballooned into the home of a progressive record label, touring musicians, forward-thinking DJ’s, and a community of music lovers. Constantly in pursuit of the next evolution of sound while paying homage and appreciation to everything that has come before, Soulection is a movement rooted in exploration, consumption, and progression of countless genres and artists. It holds an important space in the music scene as one of the largest and most successful collectives in the modern day, which is much more important and vital to the worldwide community than you would initially think.

As the musical movements of the recent past have transitioned into the industry as we know it today, the idea of an independent artist next to a superstar roster of a record label has never felt more black and white. Streaming services have influenced our consumption and discovery of your next favorite tune in beneficial ways as well as handicapped it. The algorithms that have been implemented since the beginning of this data-driven market now directs the progression of new sounds and albums, unfortunately causing most record labels to conform to what’s popular, stifling those who have access to those resources and wish to push boundaries. It’s in between the independent artist and the push for success, security, and recognition through art that collectives find their place.

While writing, an episode of the Beats 1 radio show echoes from my kitchen. Joe Kay chimes in during a transition from the Detroit techno that’s got me through the first half of this article; the next song up is a remix of Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” by the Soulection-associated producer ESTA. “Another track by a member of the Soulection family. I’m telling you, nobody does it better than us!” This attitude of sharing the love and putting fans onto the other members of your community is one of the most important facets of a collective. By creating a large group of collaborators and content creators and taking away the expectations of a label looming overhead, music collectives provide an avenue for alternative music tastes, genres, and movements to flourish in an industry that is becoming increasingly more difficult to succeed in, save for those who make music catering to the general public. This spirit of unconditional support is motivated by a desire for experimental, niche, and left-field music to gain the representation it deserves, while allowing artists to truly survive off their livelihood.