Kelo Soul Talks J. Cole Encounter After Incredible RVA Rap Elite Performance
“He was just chilling right there by himself. Nobody there, bro. Just pulled up on him. It was love. It was beautiful,” Kelo recalls.
by E. Jackson
March 4, 2026 | 8:15am
Kelo Soul at the Season 8 Premiere of RVA Rap Elite
RICHMOND, VA — Fresh off the stage at RVA Rap Elite, Kelo Soul was still catching his breath when he came over to chop it up with The Seen after his performance..
The 2x RVA Rap Elite champion reps Virginia proudly. “I’m from Virginia. Bedford, Virginia to be specific. Big 757. We in Richmond right now.”
Kelo had just stepped off stage to a the F.I.C.O. instrumental from Clispe, one he admitted wasn’t easy to approach. “It was hard to rap on. So I ain’t write nothing. I just used something I had,” he said.
Beyond the cypher stage, Kelo Soul has recently found himself in a viral moment after crossing paths with Grammy-winning artist J. Cole.
“It was a blessing, bro. It was dope to meet J. Cole. Beautiful timing,” he said.
The meeting came after Kelo saw Cole tweet that he would be in Virginia. With notifications turned on, he jumped at the opportunity to meet him.
“I’m chilling with my shorty, and I’m like, he probably coming out here,” he recalled. “I said, he ain’t going to Nova. He damn sure ain’t going nowhere else in Virginia.”
After making calls and driving between Hampton and Norfolk, nearly calling it quits, a final tip led them to Waterside.
“He was just chilling right there by himself. Nobody there, bro. Just pulled up on him. It was love. It was beautiful.”
The encounter brought new attention and gave him this new sense of energy.
“I got a lot more attention, a bunch of followers. It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “But I think I got more of an aggression with putting this music out.”
That drive is fueling his current project, a seven-track release he calls a demo tape titled Generational Cursive.
“I believe you should pay the artist for the art. So I’m the artist,” he said. The project is currently available on Even, a platform he says he genuinely supports. “Even is a dope platform.”
The project is deeply personal, he explains.
“In the time between living your life, sometimes you can get pulled away from that thing you love. So this is everything I could find in those moments to still write and do that thing I love.”
Another recent release, “Art Away,” his J. Cole freestyle, is also gaining traction.
As his name continues to circulate beyond the 757 and Richmond’s competitive rap scene, Kelo Soul remains grounded but hungry.
“2x RVA Rap Elite Champion,” he reminded with a smile. “If I want the hoodie, I’m coming for it!”
Support Local. Stay On Scene. Subscribe to The Richmond Seen.
The Richmond Seen is a vibrant digital news outlet dedicated to highlighting the Richmond scene—both the scene and the unseen. We cover everything from Hip Hop culture and culinary delights to the diverse stories and experiences that connect our community. Our mission is to celebrate the rich tapestry of Richmond’s creative energy and the voices that often go unheard.
Purchase our newspaper HERE.
Help us continue the work by donating HERE.
Follow us on Instagram.
