Before they were wards of the state, Neal, Jamal, and Cupcake were twenty-somethings criss-crossing the south in traveling cover bands. That was before felony convictions for armed robbery landed them at Powhatan on extraordinarily long sentences. Having grown up under segregation, they now found themselves in a disproportionately Black national prison population–one that would double in size before the last of them got out.
The prison music program gave them incentive to start writing songs of their own. But where, under such dark circumstances, did they draw inspiration to start putting pen to paper? Jamal reveals some painful family secrets, Neal talks about love lost to prison, and Cupcake talks about love found behind bars.

Before they were wards of the state, Neal, Jamal, and Cupcake were twenty-somethings criss-crossing the south in traveling cover bands. That was before felony convictions for armed robbery landed them at Powhatan on extraordinarily long sentences. Having grown up under segregation, they now found themselves in a disproportionately Black national prison population&ndash;one that would double in size before the last of them got out. The prison music program gave them incentive to start writing songs of their own. But where, under such dark circumstances, did they draw inspiration to start putting pen to paper? Jamal reveals some painful family secrets, Neal talks about love lost to prison, and Cupcake talks about love found behind bars.

A+E's Soul Incarcerated podcast is the story of Edge of Daybreak, the best ‘70s soul band you’ve probably never heard about. They recorded their lone masterpiece, Eyes of Love, when they were locked up at a rural Virginia penitentiary at the height of America’s prison boom. Journalist Jamie Pietras traces the story of young musicians who grow up under segregation, face convictions for armed robbery, and find each other through a prison music program. Pietras puts the group’s music into context and helps navigate their attempt at a comeback more than 40 years later.

A+E's Soul Incarcerated podcast is the story of Edge of Daybreak, the best &lsquo;70s soul band you&rsquo;ve probably never heard about. They recorded their lone masterpiece,&nbsp;Eyes of Love, when they were locked up at a rural Virginia penitentiary at the height of America&rsquo;s prison boom. Journalist Jamie Pietras traces the story of young musicians who grow up under segregation, face convictions for armed robbery, and find each other through a prison music program. Pietras puts the group&rsquo;s music into context and helps navigate their attempt at a comeback more than 40 years later.

Soul Incarcerated

Behind the Prison Music

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/480670e7-1cfe-4e40-adf8-b279012212d8/transcript

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