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For the past seven years, filmmaker Kathleen Kiley has documented the struggles and triumphs of Byron Breeze, Jr., “Soulja.” Born without legs or hands, Soulja moved to New York City from Washington, D.C. to pursue his dream of reuniting Urban Casualties, a group of wheelchair bound rap artists, and to record their first hip-hop CD.
With meager disability payments, Soulja had to look for other alternatives to survive and attain his goals. With characteristic drive and entrepreneurial spirit, Soulja turned street-corner panhandling into an opportunity to earn money and make important connections.
Soulja has created a network of connections, radiating from his street-corner office at 60th and Madison. The filmmakers have followed Soulja as he’s pursued every lead offered, including a life-changing meeting with Tony Robbins, who is introducing him to music producer Quincy Jones.
“I knew I had met an interesting character, but I had no idea of the wild ride we would embark on. I’ve been witness to Soulja’s highs and lows; and now we’ve come full circle.”
-- Kathleen Kiley