Soul Purpose, also known as S.O.U.L. Purpose (i.e., Sense of Understanding Life's Purpose), are a rap group from Jersey City, NJ, headed by Mazzi, an MC with a community-oriented world-view. Before founding Soul Purpose, Mazzi was a member of the Ancients, who released a few singles from 2000-2002. Influenced by East Coast golden age rappers such as Brand Nubian, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Public Enemy, and Nas (circa Illmatic), Mazzi proceeded to found Soul Purpose with producers Koncepts and Zvi. The group released its full-length album debut, Breaking Records, in 2003 on Coup d'Etat. Featuring a long list of guest rappers, the album garnered some positive press, but the label lacked the resources necessary to market the album as well as Mazzi would have liked. Somewhat dispirited, he proceeded to put Soul Purpose on hold for a while as he labored in the promotion business, and though he continued to perform shows as Soul Purpose, it would be five years until the release of his follow-up album, The Construction (2008), on Devoon Entertainment. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi