James Dia Launches Soka Records
James Dia is one of the most prominent rising stars in the music industry. At just 28 years old, he launched Keshi’s career as a manager and has since gone on to produce BoyWithaUKE. He is now moving on to his own with a new venture, starting his own record label, Soka Records
“As the music landscape grows to be increasingly focused on distribution and marketing, I want to offer a different approach that prioritizes creative development,” stated Dai. “ It’s almost like a return to tradition. Taking inspiration from classic developmental labels like Motown while using updated marketing practices.”
ia’s work includes guiding artists and getting 9 billion global streams and eight RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications. selling out Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, and delivering consecutive Billboard 200 Top 30 albums with Gabriel [2022] and Requiem [2024].
Keshi, one of James Dia’s Clients
Dai attended Soka University in Orange County, California, before leaving to pursue a career in management, where he gained hands-on experience in different facets of the music industry, including publishing, radio, and promotion. He worked under Motown Records’ Kerry Gordy, the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, which inspired him to create his own label.
Soka Records is looking towards the future. Trying to create a space for up-and-comers to focus on developing a place where new artist can be cultivated and hone their craft and appeal to a more global audience. This approach, seen with labels like Motown, where it’s focused on the niche of the artist and what they can bring forward seems to be the goal of Dia.
Though the website doesn’t have much more info, it does represent what Dia’s vision seems to be: a place for artists to be artists and be understood for what it has to offer. Like Motown before it, Soka has the potential to create a generation of artists who will have a global and blazing influence on not just what music looks like, but what it feels like.