Imagine rolling through Memphis on a booming bus where every beat in the speakers connects to the very streets you’re passing. That’s what 2014 Soulsville Alum Taylor Barksdale has co-founded: The Memphis Rap Tour Bus.
In just two hours, this guided ride takes you deep into the neighborhoods and hotspots that built Memphis’ global reputation in rap and hip-hop. From iconic studios to the corners that shaped legends, you’re not just hearing about the culture, but riding through it, vibing out to the very tracks that put Memphis on the map. It’s not a museum. It’s a living, rolling mixtape of the city’s soul.
The real question is, what led to the Memphis Rap Tour Bus being created? “The idea for the Memphis Rap Tour was sparked during a holiday dinner with my brother, Carlos,” said Taylor.
At the time, Taylor was working as a tour guide and expressed to her brother how motivated she was by the work she was doing, but wanting to do something for herself full-time. Her goal was to create a tour that focused on entertainment and Black history.
Entertainment and the music industry is deeply rooted within Taylor. “I grew up with a wide variety of musical influences,” she said. “My journey started in the church, where I was raised on a cappella hymns and fell in love with voices and harmony.”
By the time she was attending The Soulsville Charter School, her love for performance was undeniable. “My passion for performance grew. I began acting with Tri-Bluff City Arts and became a musician and vocalist at the Stax Music Academy.” Those experiences connected her directly to Memphis’ legacy of creativity and soul.
Although, Taylor is has sprouted in the world of entertainment, Memphis Rap Tour was a different challenge for both her and her brother. However, the were built to take it on.
"But just like the artists we honor, Carlos and I are hustlers."
Every city has its heartbeat and in Memphis, it’s defined by grit, grind, and music.
“The grit and determination that define this city are the same qualities that drive us,” she said. “We’re always grinding to make things better.”
Launching a first-of-its-kind rap tour bus wasn’t easy. It took months of research, planning, and hustle to bring the vision to life. But through it all, the founders leaned on each other’s strengths. “We’re a perfect team: Carlos brings a business-savvy, charismatic, and world-traveled perspective, while I bring the skills of a writer, historian, and performer, said Taylor”
Taylor’s journey isn’t just about grit, but also community.
As a proud Soulsville Charter School alum, she credits much of her foundation to the support she received from the Choose901 Alumni Program.
“Being a part of the Choose901 Alumni Program has been on of the best parts of my journey,”
“After I graduated from The Soulsville Charter School and attended Rhodes College, the Choose901 Team was incredibly supportive, helping me adjust to the demanding workload. They’ve helped me land numerous jobs and have always provided fun atmospheres for making connections. What’s even better is that I gained a family for life along the way.”
Those connections remain strong today. “Even now, many of the active staff at Soulsville are new friends, and, for the first time, some are even my former students. These connections make everything worthwhile,” said Taylor.
More than just support, the program expanded her vision of what Memphis could be.
“The program helped me realize that people from all over the world come to Memphis for the incredible things we have to offer beyond Beale Street,” Taylor said. “It taught me that we can access the world right here in our own city. As the saying goes, ‘The Place is Here. The Time is Now.'”
With determination stitched into their DNA and community fueling their vision, the Memphis Rap Tour isn’t just a new attraction, it’s a bold celebration of culture, resilience, and the power of Memphis to tell its own story.
