Taste of Soul-Two Decades of Soul, Funk, R&B, and Sumptuous Cuisines
Hundreds of thousands gathered on “The Shaw”, Saturday, October 18, 2025. This is due to the outdoor concert season being extended by an extra inning.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA- Hundreds of thousands gathered on “The Shaw”, Saturday, October 18, 2025. This is due to the outdoor concert season being extended by an extra inning.
This wasn’t your typical day of business in the cultural hub of the African American community. This day promised and delivered outstanding and unforgettable musical moments.
The crowd moved, grooved, danced, shopped, and got their grub on for the 20th Annual Taste of Soul. The Taste of Soul is a vibrant celebration of African American culture and cuisine, which was held in the heart of South Los Angeles. This annual event draws hundreds of thousands of attendees who come to indulge in a diverse array of delicious soul food offerings. In addition to the savory cuisine, the festival featured live musical performances, dance showcases, and local artisan vendors, creating an atmosphere rich in community spirit and cultural expression.
The party people of all ages, races, and nationalities all agreed on the reason for the gathering—to have a good time! The generous smorgasbord of smiles, hugs, fist bumps, laughter, dancing, and high 5’s was proof of people fulfilling their intentions during the city’s biggest free one-day festival.
The Bakewell Media Stage, presented by Chevrolet in partnership with 94.7 The Wave, was held on the corner of Crenshaw and Stocker. This stage was powered by an electrical surge of soul.
The show on the above-mentioned stage was delayed due to technical issues. It’s finally the top of the ninth inning as the Bakewell Media Sounds for the Soul Stage loaded the bases with top-notch performers known for knocking it out of the park with their cover tunes or classic original musical hits.
DJ Shell was in the mix on the ones and twos, playing an eclectic soundtrack for the diverse, multicultural party hearty people on site. DJ Shell got the festivities underway with “Could You Be Loved,” by Bob Marley.
Faleisha Reese was the first artist to perform a live set. Faleisha opened her soulful set with a reggae-tinged arrangement of “Jammin’ Till the Break of Dawn” by Stevie Wonder. She continued with “One Step Ahead,” by Aretha Franklin, followed by “He Watches Over Me,” and concluded her set with “Valerie,” by Amy Winehouse. I’m looking forward to more amazing performances from Faleisha Reese in the near future.
Up next were Torrence Brannon-Reese and Everything With Soul. Not sure if there are familiar relations with the former performer. Torrence and his tight band entertained the crowd with some funk, soul, and R&B. Torrence honored his hometown of New Orleans with “Fire on the Bayou,” by The Meters. He continued with “I’ll Be Around,” by The Stylistics, the popular “Boots on the Ground,” and “Across 110th Street,” by Bobby Womack and Peace, to name a few.
Biscuits and Gravy isn’t your grandparents’ Biscuits and Gravy. This tight LA-based ensemble put on a great show. They entertained the captivated crowd with a set of funk, soul, and R&B. They opened their set with “Funky Good Time,” by James Brown. This track could have served as an official theme song for the 20th Annual Taste of Soul. They continued with “P Funk,” by Parliament-Funkadelic, “Shake,” and “Early in the Morning,” by The Gap Band. They lowered the tempo to play several slow jams.
Danny Bakewell Sr. joined onstage with elected officials and other stakeholders to give brief remarks.
Several program hosts from 94.7 The Wave were present to announce several acts, including Liz Hernandez, Frankie Ross, and Greg Mack.
Tiffany Haddish (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Comedian Tiffany Haddish delighted the crowd with a brief set of jokes. Major had the crowd vibing with him during his brief set as he performed “I Prayed for You,” followed by an inspirational selection, “For The Win.” The crowd grew completely silent as Major performed “Why I Love You.”
Original Mary Jane Girls – Maxi & Cherie (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The show stayed fluid with a thoroughly entertaining set by the Original Mary Jane Girls. They performed “Candy Man,” “Boys,” “All Night Long,” and “In My House.” They performed a medley of hits by Rick James and Teena Marie, “Square Biz,” “Cold Blooded,” “I Just Want to Be Your Lover Girl,” and “Give It to Me Baby.”
Rose Royce was another group that performed an outstanding set of original selections while in the spotlight. They opened with “Ooh Boy,” followed by “Wishing on a Star,” “I Wanna Get Next to You,” “I’m Going Down,” and “Car Wash,” to name a few.
Cameo closed out the 20th Annual Taste of Soul by taking the crowd down memory lane with a set list of crowd favorites and lots of audience sing-alongs. It didn’t take long for Cameo to make the 2025 Taste of Soul into a teachable moment. They transformed the festivities into an old-school house party!
The KJLH Music Stage, Crenshaw, and Obama Blvd were epic this year! Radio Free 102.3 KJLH featured a dope lineup for this year’s Taste of Soul. The lineup featured performances by Joe Leone, Nicole Roxanne, Radio Free Voices Choir, Lena Byrd Miles, Jor’dan Armstrong, Terisa Griffin, Farris & Gouche Family (featuring Inglewood’s D-Smoke & SIR), Jane Handcock, Estelle, Alex Isley, and Montell Jordan, KJLH Cultural Icon Award presented to The Whispers, and closed out with Durti Ryce Band.
Major (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Church was held along “The Shaw.” The spirit of the Lord was present for the 20th Annual Taste of Soul on The Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, in partnership with Mothers in Action, sponsored by Airbnb, on the corner of Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. This joyous and jubilant stage was hosted by Major, with support from host Patrick Bolton and DJ Count on the ones and twos. The performances consist of Brenda Clark Sheard, Major, California Worship Center, Maurice Johnson, Kesha Ealy, DI’Antay Smith, LA InnerCity Mass Choir, Yolanda Harris-Dancy, Derrell & Terrell Birrtenum, John Bernard & ND Choir, Traxx, Geneen White, Zion Messengers, Jason McGee & The Choir, Faithful Central Praise Team, and much more…
Check out various social media platforms and YouTube to view photos, videos of the 20th Annual Taste of Soul, and an epic celebration of culture, food, and music, in the cultural hub of the African American community, specifically on “The Shaw.” Did I say that everyone had a great time!!!
