Letter From the Editor, Looking Back
2007
This will probably be a lot longer next year.
I created this site to expand the conversation of "urban" music beyond the usual suspects, leaning towards "alternatives" while using the aggressive approach employed by the gossip blogs. There were some stumbles along the way, and there are still a number of kinks that need smoothing out. But overall, we've established our voice and people are starting to know what to expect from SoulBounce.com.
In August, we quietly appeared on the internet with features like our daily greeting Morning Soul, highlighting a classic video and delivering a few links to news items just to whet your appetite, as well as the Mixtape Roundup, in which I share some of the best music podcasts and digital mixtapes I couldn't keep to myself. While these are merely supplemental posts, they are dedicated and unique to our site. You have come to expect them, and whether you leave feedback or not, you'll know something's wrong if these entries don't appear on their regular schedule.
The tone of our site was established by the variety of artists we covered. Naturally, we showed love to Eric Roberson and Raheem Devaughn and others in their lane, but we immediately took things a step further with a dedicated affection for Q-Tip and an almost voyeuristic interest in the antics of Amy Winehouse. This opened the gates a little wider. We would regard Hip-Hop artists as much as soul vocalists if their product seemed to suit the audience we were cultivating, as well as covering artists that are considered mainstream and tabloid mainstays if their music touched on something that can be considered inherently soulful. We still have limitations and a focus, but within that, the sky's the limit.
In our first month, Butta landed an interview with Ledisi, whose album has gone on to earn much critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Not bad for a site that only existed less than three weeks.
August's tally of pageviews was just under 3,000. Modest. Nothing to brag about.
