We caught up with hip-hop artist TA Soul, a rising voice in the world of soul-searching jazz-rap, whose latest project Gratitude Gardens isn’t just an album, it’s a lifeline written during one of the darkest periods of his life. The project channels unspeakable grief, emotional burnout, and spiritual struggle into something glowing with love, acceptance, and radical gratitude. In this deeply personal conversation, TA Soul opens up about the death of his brother, the fear of being seen as “corny,” and the night Logic’s lyrics helped him choose life. NMR // Thank you for this interview, Taryn. Let’s get stuck in. How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before? And talk to us about the message of your latest album Gratitude Gardens. // TA Soul: Thank you for the questions <3 Thats always an interesting question because, i feel like i have a special connection with the music like any artist would..and i could only hope that some people feel a fraction of what i feel ya know. But i would say My music IS a message of peace, love , and positivity But not all sunshine and rainbows ya know. I focus on pain and overcoming it. Lost hope and finding new hope. Healing the broken things..atleast thats my goal haha. With a few just fun Good energy songs for the vibes 🙂 Long winded i know but i feel like thats the overall message from Gratitude Gardens. Life brings Great times and Hard times, but we tend to forget to be grateful for ANY of it. Be grateful for the time u got to spend with lost loved ones. Grateful for any blessing God has given you. Waking up..food on ur table.. A beautiful or rainy day, any good friend or supportive family member in ur life! Lifes to short to not be Grateful! <3 so im Grateful for it all! NMR // You said writing this album saved your life, can you take us back to a moment in that journey where things shifted and the music started to flow again? // TA Soul: I actually remember the moment very clearly , Around April 2023, I was living with my Best Friend at the time and working two jobs. I always loved music and was aware that without it I almost couldn’t function. I always wrote music growing up but had stopped due to fear. And i just never wanted to get my hopes up bc EVERYONE wants to do music ya know. I “lived” a life of Gratitude and Positivity. But inside i was hurting really bad, and had been for 5 years. My little Brother Jaden passed away December 2018. I just wasn’t the same after that. Instead of locking in and making sure i was the best me.. I was stuck in a self pity cycle until about august 2020 where i found hope in Spirituality. Nature, healthy food , good energy and God. Even with my newfound self it wasn’t long until I let a past relationship return and unholy things creep back into my life and it drained me for everything I had. ALL i wanted was to love others and give the best energy possible. To bring healing. But I was hurting. My Soul was not happy. But was broken and getting stomped on repeatedly. And i just felt alone , like nobody would really understand..but ashamed because i wasn’t strong enough to heal. I wasn’t strong enough to leave toxic people and things in the past. My Best friend wasn’t in the best mental space either. So together we just fell apart and I no longer wanted to be alive. ALL we did was listen to Logic haha. So I KNEW this wasn’t the way. I lost my brother to suicide. So I didn’t want to give in. But everyday I was building up the courage to Go away. I had nothing and nobody. Logic dropped college Park February 2023, and I was sitting in my car listening to the CD on repeat one night , just crying for hours. And during the song “Inspio” After Logics dope ahh verse. The beat Changes into the soulful saxophone and bass instrumental with Lucy Rose beautifully speaking the words… “True wealth cannot be measured in gold But in experience, age and everything that comes with it is a blessing So many of us are chasing our youth, fixated on the wonder years When every moment they have now is wonderful Family, friends, having children And shifting the perspective of one’s entire world in the blink of an eye This is age So while you look in the mirror thinking those thoughts, just remember With every wrinkle and every gray comes another day that you’re alive” I completely broke down, and from that moment on I realized… I wanna get older, no matter how difficult things can be.. Life is amazing. And life is beautiful. But life comes with Harships. And both are okay! <3 Live until you’re called home 🙂 I no longer wanted to live in fear. And not many people make the music that inspires me. So i decided to consider writing more music of my own! I popped in kota the friends “To Kill A Sunrise” a realized he just rapped over boom bap jazz beats for 30 minutes straight. He sang he rapped, he switched it up, with the whole message being Positive. So I went inside and turned on Logics twitchtape vol 1. And continued to stay up and write the first 4 songs of Gratitude Gardens <3 And continued to write Everyday, it gave me something to look forward to, it gave me a way to extend my heart and my intentions, and it gave me Hope. Literally Saving my Life 🙂 NMR // How did your grief, especially around the loss of your brother, shape the emotional direction of this project? // TA Soul: I wrote this album during the Hardest time of my life. Even though I was drowning in Grief and Heartbreak, all I TRULY wanted was To bring light and joy to places we tend to neglect them. I was constantly preaching to think positive and to be Grateful and to smile because it could always be worse. During that time also it hit me that a majority of the music being listened to on a mainstream level brings nothing Positive. So being so hurt at the time and being so lost. These emotions were only suppressing all the love and positivity I really had inside and wanted to share so desperately. So once I started writing, all I felt was pain and sadness, But all the would come out was Love and Grace and Forgiveness. Acceptance in everyone and lyrics that shared a message of Hope, Motivation, and Gratitude. To Always be Grateful, Spread Love ,and rejoice in the better, Because Everythings Gonna Be Okay <3 NMR // It’s powerful that you chose to channel heartbreak and struggle into love and gratitude. Was that a conscious choice or something that just naturally came out? // TA Soul: Honestly, a little bit of both. All I ever really wanted to do was share a message of Love and Gratitude. Even in my day to day life. I was naturally trying to channel these hardships into something positive but was struggling. Once I started writing a concept album of all the things I consider dear to my soul and heart. I kinda couldnt control it. Everything would just spill out. Its unexplainable, but I am very Grateful for that. NMR // You mentioned being afraid of rejection and being seen as ‘corny’, what helped you move past that fear and make something so open-hearted? // TA Soul: Thats a great question actually, Its a mix of all my favorite albums from my favorite artist at the time , Mac’s “GO:ODam”, Kota’s “EVERYTHING” and “To See A Sunset”. But mostly the finger has to Point to logic and all of his music, being my biggest inspiration entirely. I already had a sense of loneliness and acceptance in the fact that I will never be ‘fully” understood. Which bothered me for a long time. But in that acceptance the fear was removed and the will to just create was stronger than the fear of rejection. People call Logic corny, people call Cole corny, EMINEM ! lol. So if ive seen what folks think is real music and seen what folks dismiss as corny. I already know where my art would fall, haha. I love the music that means most to me and that’s the type of sound I was inspired to make. As long as I enjoyed it and it fulfilled my vision of what I wanted to convey with a certain song, I can only hope other people resonate. If i can help 1 person. It’s all worth it to me. Yea i get told i’m a little corny from people all the time haha, but i’ve learned to laugh and accept it. Anyone that takes the time to not only listen but ENJOY the music, it means the absolute world to me. 🙂 NMR // Gratitude Gardens” feels deeply spiritual, almost like a meditation. What does spirituality mean to you, and how does it show up in your creative process? // TA Soul: Spirituality is a value I hold very dear <3 Im like a jehovah’s witness for Good energy, coming to your door asking if you’ve been outside today, have you meditated , have you given gratitude and eaten something healthy haha But with that being said, since it is so important to me, I want to make sure my music can provoke thought. Can inspire you to find joy, to add more healthy habits into your life. Or even choose to find God again <3 Energy is everything to me , I start my day with Prayer and Meditation. Grow a garden. Eat only fruits and veggies. Stay in the sun and stay in Nature. In turn my closest friends usually use hanging out with me as a gateway to get outside , to eat healthy and be positive. Which i’m super Grateful for 🙂 So when im creating, usually all i want to talk about it things regarding a spiritual nature <3 NMR // There’s this sunrise-to-sunset structure in the album, can you talk us through why that arc was important and how you built it into the music? // TA Soul: During that time specifically I was outside all day from sunrise to sunset, and being outside and in nature is a very important thing to me, so i wanted to conceptualize a beautiful day outside and the walk through of emotions and certain moods and thoughts you might feel during a spiritual day of of Healing through Meditation, Nature ,and Gratitude. Including the beauty of a sunrise ,beautiful sunny day and Rosè Sunset, with a sky full of stars to follow. NMR // How did being a literal gardener influence the sonic and lyrical world you built here? // TA Soul: Haha, actually it influenced the music very much. Sonically I strive for my music to sound and feel like a Beautiful Floral Garden with all the colors and sunshine and animals around. But with the mental and spiritual nutrients of rich vegetables and sweet fruits. Nothing beats spending time in the garden, connecting with community and nature and just creating overall. NMR // You’ve said that if just one person resonates with this project, it’s enough. Has anyone shared a response that really stayed with you? And what do you hope someone who’s struggling takes away from this album? // TA Soul: Great question, Actually the positive reviews from this album have meant an overwhelming amount to me. Anyone that had anything positive to say meant the world to me. But a few people I guess had a couple things to say that hit me a little harder than others. One being my friend Daniel. We’ve been close for as long as i remember and him listening to it meant alot 🙂 but he shared with me his thoughts and feelings from the album after listening through a couple of times that filled me with Joy! Also the review from New Musik Radar was super dope! It really allowed me to have an experience that I didn’t expect to get without being famous. It was super cool and really meant alot from the bottom of my heart. 🙂 To anyone struggling that finds themselves listening to this Album. I hope the main takeaways would be that its okay to just be you! In fact thats all you need to be. That’s enough. Intentionally include Gratitude into your life and look for Joy thru any situation in life. Live with Love and Live through your Light. Everything is Gonna Be Okay <3 (also GO OUTSIDE) lol 😉 NMR // How did artists like Logic, 6ix, Kota the Friend, Mac Miller, and Masego influence Gratitude Gardens beyond just sound, emotionally or spiritually? and what did their albums teach you about growth or aging as an artist? // TA Soul: Aw man, Great question. I mean theyre music has helped me get through really my entire life if i really think about it. Music has always been essential for me. With Eminem and Lupe Fiasco being my earliest influences, and honestly Great examples of maturing and aging as an artist. They still inspire me to this day. But as for my main 5 specifically… Something I feel like Logic does very well is take you through mental states. Sometimes sitting with them and other times teaching how to deal with them and overcome them. I personally feel like Logic entered a second prime once he aged and truly let go of what people think. YSIV No Pressure and Vinyl Days were amazing and very inspirational to me. And obviously Under Pressure and The Incredible True Story have been pivotal. But when college park dropped and then a year later ultra 85, they came at the perfect time for me in my life to motivate me to continue with Life and continue searching for myself and ultimately being myself. My most listened to artist for sure. With 6ix being a MAJOR part of his amazing sound. One of the best producers of our generation. Shout out Logic and 6ix. Rattpack baby! eugh Its no secret that Mac Miller is always unforgivingly himself . Which is Beautiful! Im very Grateful to have been a part of his journey during his time on earth. One of my all time favorite bodies of music is “GO:OD am” it was a perfect mix of great raps, great message, and great jazzy production <3 it helped me thru so many times Growing up and even still to this day. Kota The Friend is like my most Grateful Find for the simple fact i found him early and was like oh man hes rapping about stuff I do everyday and nobody else really raps about these things. Watching him Grow as an artist from album to album not only makes me so happy but inspires me and motivates me with every new release ! I could name every album specifically and how they’ve changed or inspired me in any way ! Similar to Logic. These two are my biggest artistic influences and my main artist i listen to when i feel happy, sad. Or utterly hopeless. They never fail to pick me up! Then masego I mean MAN! One of the swaggiest dudes to ever touch a saxophone lol.During the early 2020’s his music was in constant rotation to help pull me out from emotions or just to enjoy the beautiful melodies and swaggy song atmospheres that he brings <3 Studying Abroad and the Masego self titled album I used to listen to on repeat. They’ve always just brought me peace and helped me heal some things spiritually as well! Logic and Kota specifically , Those are my dawgs :,) Theyre music has had tremendous impact on my life and i’m extremely Grateful everytime they drop! NMR // There’s a strong jazz, soul, and gospel thread throughout the album. How do you see your sound evolving from here, do you want to go deeper into those spaces? // TA Soul: Actually yes, these are the main 3 threads I wanna wade through as I continue to make music. I look forward to diving more into the neo-soul sound which in my opinion requires a strong Jazz touch. Jazz rap and neo soul just speaks to my soul and opens up certain levels of joy on a sonic level ! and Gospel to me is something I just wanna do for me and anyone else who cares to listen and enjoy the journey with me. It says in the bible to share your talents with the Lord and with the world. I took a shot at Gospel with my first album “Healthy Habits” and really look forward to focusing on a second Gospel themed project, giving all the praise to God and the Holy Spirit. As far as evolving.. I feel like Creatively i’m gonna always chase what Gratitude Gardens was, just hoping to improve my craft and continue to make music that people as well as myself enjoy with a positive message. Plenty of Projects in the works right now! And who knows..maybe even a GGs 2 one day. NMR // You said this album lays the foundation of everything you want to do — what’s the next step on that path for TA Soul? // TA Soul: Well. i’m gonna continue to try and branch out this overall message and sound of what Gratitude Gardens had to offer. But as far as projects and music go….I have several Key Albums that i’m really looking forward to and working hard on currently. 1st one being “Hilltop Vol 1” an album I worked on a during my 30 day fast, taking care of chickens and a big garden. With no wifi, no phone, and no car. While house sitting a close friends beautiful home on the hilltop in Pegram TN. 2nd one being “Changes” a concept album about how the word change can mean so many different things to different people , in different walk of life. And overall welcoming change and my life as well as anyone who resonates. 3rd being a Peanuts and 6ix beats only album with alot of local rappers as features! 🙂 Very excited and hopeful for that. <3 reflection album about my recent and past struggles , mentally and emotionally. Kind of a get it off my chest type of thing. I have family close by that helps me and I have close friends that take care of me, so why do i feel so alone all the time. Im gonna try to break that ideology down thru out the album. And hopefully i heal a little along the way. NMR // Finally, Did you know that if you listen to your album on the desktop app, a lightsaber progress bar shows up on your track ‘Star Wars’? I’ve just realised it seems to appear on anything Star Wars-related, but still, a fun little detail! // TA Soul: I DID!! Haha I found out a month or so after the album was out because I use a desktop instead of a phone! I think its so dope! Haha shout out spotify! They even included everyone’s different saber and colors! Even count dooku lol !! Thanks for asking haha much love <3