Soul Goodman, a Detroit native with a deep love of music, has combined his love of underground house and techno as an adult with his childhood piano training. His musical path as a DJ and music producer is a colorful tapestry that reflects the various influences of both his Lebanese heritage and hometown.
Goodman has become more well-known in a short period of time by playing at prominent music festivals like Ultra Music Festival, Movement Music Festival, Untold Music Festival, and Charivari Detroit Music Festival. His performances are a testament to his ability to blend diverse sounds and cultures, captivating audiences worldwide.
Soul Goodman has also achieved notable success with his musical productions; his albums routinely rank in the top 15 in their genre on Beatport. “Deep Dark Blue,” his most popular release, peaked at number one in the minimal/deep tech genre. Soul Goodman’s first vinyl/digital label, On My Terms, launched in March 2024 with the release of “Soul Goodman: Exhibit A.”
When Soul Goodman was asked during his interview with Six AM Group about how his diverse cultural backgrounds have shaped his sound and artistic identity, he said: “Growing up as a first-generation Lebanese-American, I would always be listening to a combination of the Arabic music I would always hear my parents playing at home or in the car as a kid along with the soulful sounds of Motown and R&B such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Babyface, and Sade etc. that I was also drawn to growing up watching MTV.
As a kid, I would want to hear the stuff on the radio more than listening to Arabic music, but now I find myself listening to more and more stuff by Middle Eastern legends like Oum Kalthoum (Egypt), Wael Kfoury (Lebanon), and Fairuz (Lebanon). I’ve also always been drawn to the Spanish language and continue to find artists that define the different areas and cultures all over the place. My travels around Spain, Central America, and South America have gotten me into listening to a lot of the late Puerto Rican legend Hector Lavoe as an example. I got into electronic music in my early 20’s and kind of found this new landscape with such a broad range of stuff that just continually kept my attention with mostly house, and deep house music.
Being from Detroit, we all love our techno, but I particularly love the deeper and more soulful side of music that creates a certain vibe and atmosphere that can bring all kinds of people together on the dance floor.”
Soul Goodman brings the essence of Detroit to every performance he does, giving his fans an experience they won’t soon forget. His music is equal parts soul, sexy, and attitude that is meant to make you dance.
Top Releases
- Deep Dark Blue (Original Mix) w/remixes – Frequenza Records (Italy)
- Reached #1 on Beatport chart for Minimal/Deep Tech Releases.
- What You Do (Original Mix) – Exploited Records (Germany)
- Don’t Worry About Me EP – Frequenza Records (Italy)
Soul Goodman has performed in many renowned settings all over the world. In his hometown, has played at TV Lounge, Spot Lite, Magic Stick, the Russell Industrial Center, and Movement Festival main stage to name a few. The Ultra Oasis Stage, E11even Rooftop, and Toe Jam Backlot are some of his Miami engagements. While Spy Bar, Primary, and Sound Bar are the mainstay venues he has played in Chicago. He has also performed at the legendary Output and TBA Brooklyn in New York. Internationally, he has a special place in his memory from playing at The Gärten in Beirut, Lebanon as the club was lost in the Beirut port explosion in August 2020.
Photo Courtesy: SG
Festivals Played
- Ultra Music Festival Official Artist – Miami, FL. 2015-Current
- Movement Festival Official Artist – Detroit, MI 2019
- Untold Festival Official Artist – Cluj-Napoca, Romania 2018, 2021
- Charivari Detroit Official Artist – Detroit, MI. 2015-2018, 2022
Black Coffee, Lee Foss, Maceo Plex, Matthew Dear, Moodymann, Nic Fanciulli, Solomun, Sama Abdulhadi, Doc Martin, Hot Since 82, and many other well-known performers have shared the stage with Soul Goodman.
Photo Courtesy: SG
On My Terms Record Label: A Vision of Artistic Autonomy
The record label On My Terms is a tribute to the sound and vision of its creator, Detroit artist Soul Goodman. The core idea behind On My Terms is artistic autonomy: the ability to fully manage the creative process while producing and releasing music
He has different intentions in a market overrun with record labels that exclusively produce music that fits a specific genre. Although it’s difficult to identify a particular “sound” among their albums, there is a feeling that endures. Whether you’re getting down on a peak-hour dance floor or getting things done during your workday, On My Terms has the groove for you. has different intentions in a market overrun with record labels that exclusively produce music that fits a specific genre. Although it’s difficult to identify a particular “sound” among the music of the label, there is a feeling that endures. Whether you’re getting down on a peak-hour dance floor or getting things done during your workday, On My Terms has the groove for you.
“Exhibit A,” the first release, is a four-track EP that Goodman produced. The moniker honors Goodman’s legal beginnings as well as the label’s founding. Every song has a strong bassline, and the label’s funky, seductive, and enjoyable vibes are fast becoming synonymous with the music. The music produced at On My Terms seeks to carve out a unique niche for itself in the Detroit electronic music scene and beyond, drawing inspiration from all kinds of art. The label wants to develop new music and experiences while supporting the artistic vision of up-and-coming musicians through anything from vinyl releases to events.
First-pressing “Exhibit A” Album is presently on sale at a few select stores across the globe and online at onmyterms313.bandcamp.com on Bandcamp. The On My Terms community can also be followed and connected to via their Bandcamp page. Listen to music the way you choose.
Soul Goodman’s journey and the production of On My Terms demonstrate a dedication to musical brilliance and artistic honesty. He and his label have the potential to leave a lasting impression on the electronic music scene as his influence only grows.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
