Zaakir, born Courtenay Henderson and better known as Soup, is an American rapper and a founding member of the group Jurassic 5.
Zaakir grew up in South Central Los Angeles, with a music-loving father who helped him discover funk music and artists such as the Ohio Players and the Fatback Band,[1] Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, and Sam Cooke.[2] He grew up singing Al Green and Fats Domino, eventually learning about hip hop and music groups including The Sugarhill Gang.
Zaakir attended Manual Arts High School. His uncle, who was working for a Gang Taskforce, invited him to a Rap for Peace show, where he performed Stop Gang Violence,[3] which helped launch his rap career.[2] He is a fan of the 80s horror movies.[4]
Together, with Akil (of Jurassic 5), and Shawny Mac [aka Afrika], he was a member of The Rebels of Rhythm, who met in high school.[5] His initial interest was in singing, but as Akil heard him freestyling, he was encouraged to rap more.[6]
Zaakir found fame as part of the Hip Hop group Jurassic 5.[7] He was an instrumental figure at Immortal Records, Interscope and Loud Records, where he secured a record deal for the Hip Hop group Mobb Deep.[3] He was awarded gold records for his work on the Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),[8] and Mobb Deep's sophomore album, The Infamous.[citation needed] Zaakir was also responsible for Jurassic 5's first demo deal with Relativity Records.[6] Jurassic 5 were part of the 2000 and 2001 Warped Tours.
On the 2000 tour, someone threw a object at Soup. He moved to the front of the stage to ask first and then challenge: "Who threw this? Now, nobody wants to say anything? After every show, we go back to our merch booth and sign shirts/albums, come see me there and let me know who you are".[9] Playing the Warped Tour, and playing through those challenges helped J5 build an excellent live show reputation.[10]
Jurassic 5 were known for their rapping and harmonizing, their melodies and hooks, and for being the source of influence of groups like the Cold Crush Brothers. In his 2022 appearance on Talib Kweli's People's Party podcast, Nu-Mark credit's Soup's infectious hooks and Zaakir, for being the heart of Jurassic 5's harmonization.[11]
Soup and Marc 7, came together to create a new group called Portable Payback; they released their debut single Relax in 2008.[12] On October 27, 2009, they released an EP, with the same name as their single.[13]
Soup released his solo debut EP as Fulleee Lova, called Still In Fullee Love, produced by Nicholas "Nick Green" Eaholtz, on the Nalja Music label in February 2017.[14]
OC Weekly commented on Still In Fullee Love as follows:
"It's a glimpse into the music that shaped Zaakir and combines his smooth flow and sharp lyrics with a touch of R&B and soul—stuff he'd grown up with as a kid."[15]
Most of the songs featured on Still In Fullee Love were created when Jurassic 5 returned from a 7-year hiatus to play Coachella in 2013.[16] During that hiatus, Zaakir worked in retail.[17]
In late 2013, Zaakir performed in London,[5] Barcelona, and Portugal.
On April 19, 2005, DJ Z-Trip released the single Listen to the DJ, which featured Soup.[8][18]
In 2005, Soup was featured on Family Rap by Breakestra off their Hit the Floor album.[19]
He was featured on Right About Now from Marc 7's 2015 solo album Food, Clothing and Shelter.[20]
His voiceover and on-screen roles include Jurassic 5's music video for their song The Influence,[21] Nickelodeon's All That, Blast (with Eddie Griffin), and FOX's Fastlane, starring Bill Bellamy.[22]