Soul Company's founding artists Kebee and the Quiett met in the late 1990s through programmes at the Haja Centre (하자센터), an alternative vocational education centre for teenagers operated jointly byYonsei University and theSeoul Metropolitan Government.[3] They began the label with a compilation album released in 2004 entitledThe Bangerz, featuring tracks by the Quiett and Kebee as well as Planet Black (플래닛 블랙), among others. Later that year, Kebee released a solo album,Evolutional Poems, which gained attention for both him and the label.[4] In July 2005, in response to continued interest from fans,The Bangerz was re-released.[3]
In 2007, Soul Company released the albumOfficial Bootleg Vol. 2. It spoke out on a number of social issues in South Korea, with Kebee describing the stress ofcollege entrance exams in his song "Epilogue to Senior Year" (고 3 후기, "Go 3 Hugi"), while Loquence, D.C., and Planet Black discussed difficulties and disappointments they faced in reintegrating into society after returning frommandatory military service in their song "Army Reserve" (예비역, "Yebiyeok"). P&Q on the tracks "I'll be watchin' you" (지켜볼게, "Jikyeobolge") and Kebee in "Oh Right!" (아 맞다, "A Matda") also criticised the perceived inauthenticity of mainstream hip hop in South Korea, attacking some unnamed targets as "hip hopcosplayers".[5] However, The Quiett also set a precedent of collaboration betweenunderground and mainstream South Korean hip hop artists such asTasha Reid,Drunken Tiger, andDynamic Duo in his albumThe Real Me later that year.[4]
In July 2008, Soul Company held a concert entitledShow me the hiphop.[6] That year the company also began holdingJudgement Night, reported to be South Korea's first hip hop/hardcore joint performance.[7]
In February 2009, Soul Company held aValentine's Day concert entitledMy Funny Valentine at Rollinghall in theHongdae area (nearHongik University), featuring performances by Kebee, UMC,Junggigo (also known as Cubic), andSwings.[8][9] In July, Soul Company artists came together to record the single "Aeiou Eo?! part 2". The title was a reference to an album released by Soul Company in 2004.[10] In May and October, they hosted the third and fourth jointJudgement Night concerts with GMC Records; the latter was held at V-Hall in Hongdae.[7] In August, they held another concert at V-Hall featuring performances by The Quiett,Loptimist, and DJ Wegun,[11] and held a group stage performance entitledSummer Ground.[12]
In January 2010, Soul Company released the digital albumMad Clown VS Crucial Star, which within a few days of its release was one of the top 10 sellers onCyworld. The last track, "Parting" (이별은, "Ibyeoleun") by DC, received particular praise from theSeoul Sinmun.[13] In March, The Quiett released his fourthLP with Soul Company,Quiet Storm: A Night Record.[14] In July, Soul Company held a concert at Club Fabric nearKyungsung University in the southern city ofBusan.[15][16] In October, Soul Company released an online single by RHYME-A- (라임 어택) entitledSpeak The Truth (진실을 말해).[17] In December, Soul Company suffered a blow with the departure of The Quiett. His departure from Soul Company was announced through the label's release of the albumStill A Team (스틸 어 팀).[18] Early the following month, he announced that he would be forming his own labelIllionaire Records withDok2. The Quiett described his move as giving him the freedom to preserve the kind of music he wanted to perform and bring new vitality to the South Korean hip hop scene.[19]
In April, Soul Company held a joint concert with Pastel Music (파스텔 뮤직) sponsored byJin Air devoted toenvironmental protection. The concert, entitledSave The Air Green Concert, was held at KT&G Sangsang Madang (KT&G 상상마당) in Hongdae. Soul Company artists who participated includeCrucial Star, Fana (화나), and Eluphant (이루펀트).[20]
In September 2011 it was announced that the label would be dissolved. One contributing factor was that Soul Company co-founder and Eluphant duo member Kebee had to leave for two years to perform hismandatory military service which he had been delaying. Just a few days after the news of the breakup, Eluphant released a digital single entitled "To the Future" (미래로 나아가자, "Miraero Naagaja"), following which they indicated the duo would also become dormant for two years.[21] In late November, Soul Company artists held a farewell concert at AX-KOREA (악스코리아) to commemorate the label's dissolution.[22]
^소울컴퍼니 해체 “아티스트 개개인 역량 담기 힘들어 각자의 길로” [전문포함] [Soul Company dissolves, "Thanks to all individual artists for their efforts, each will go their separate ways"].Korean Economic Daily (in Korean). 2011-10-01. Retrieved2018-01-08.
^2009년 8월 열린 Soul Company 단체 공연 "Summer Ground"Soul Company는 2000년 경 하자센터에서 열린 MC 메타의 힙합 강좌 "힙합방"과, 청소년들을 대상으로 한 힙합 캠프 "Teenfest"가 전신이 되었다, fromko:소울 컴퍼니
