Memphis Musician Noah Israel Wins ‘What Is Soul?’ Songwriting Contest at Stax Music Academy

Memphis, TN, October 9, 2026 — A Memphis-based musician, Noah Israel, has been named the winner of The Beat Garden’s ‘What Is Soul?’ Mic Drop Songwriting Contest. The event took place at the renowned Stax Music Academy, a significant venue in the city’s rich musical landscape.

The ‘What Is Soul?’ Mic Drop Songwriting Contest, organized by The Beat Garden, is a platform designed to recognize and showcase emerging and established songwriting talent. This year’s competition culminated at the Stax Music Academy, an institution dedicated to music education and preservation, particularly in the genres that have defined Memphis’s musical heritage.

Noah Israel, a local artist contributing to Memphis’s vibrant music scene, emerged victorious from a field of participants. The contest’s theme, ‘What Is Soul?’, likely invited musicians to explore and interpret the essence of soul music, a genre deeply intertwined with the history of Memphis and the legacy of the Stax Records label.

The Stax Music Academy, which hosted the final event, serves as a vital center for nurturing young talent and perpetuating the musical traditions associated with Stax Records. Its involvement underscores the contest’s commitment to authentic musical expression and its connection to the roots of soul music.

Details regarding the specific criteria for judging, the number of participants, or the prizes awarded beyond the title of winner were not immediately available. The outcome highlights the ongoing vitality of songwriting within the Memphis music community and the role of organizations like The Beat Garden and institutions like the Stax Music Academy in supporting local artists.

Story summarized from the original created by editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) on dailymemphian.com, see more information here.