Devin Bynum (born February 17, 1996), known professionally as Soulaani Blue, is an American recording artist and audio engineer from Colerain, North Carolina. His sound moves fluidly through hip‑hop, R&B, soul, pop, and rock — shaped by whatever the moment demands — and is anchored by a conviction he sums up as “I am and I do.” Lyrically, his songs play like journal entries pulled from lived experience, laid over sample‑rich production built on warm drums and bass.

Bynum is the founder of Feed Every Body, a music‑driven mutual‑aid initiative that directs proceeds from his releases to RVA Community Fridges in Richmond — an ongoing commitment to food sovereignty that makes listening a form of direct support. His forthcoming debut album, Feed Every Body, deepens that connection, weaving the mission into the music itself.

In 2014, while at Virginia State University, Bynum co‑founded the collective Troubled Empire alongside Tydre (formerly Troubled Mal) and 7eventhWonder (formerly Don Juan). Together they released the singles “Sucker 4 Love,” “Notice,” and “Only One,” and Bynum continues to collaborate with both members.

He began posting freestyles and remixes on YouTube and SoundCloud in 2011. As a teenager he auditioned for The X Factor and American Idol, though he never advanced past the second round. In 2017 he performed at New York’s SOB’s.

His first official solo releases came under the name Blue Bynum in 2020: the singles “Peach Gallo” (produced by BeatsbyEmani) and “You Say” (produced by RAW‑M), plus a guest feature on Brivon’s “Distraction.” In 2023 he appeared on 2AM Ricky’s “The Get Down,” further expanding his collaborative reach. He later recorded as BluetheeArtist, co‑writing N’Shai Iman’s “Can’t Take It” (2023) and appearing on “DL” with N’Shai Iman and Jaye Locke (2024).

Reintroducing himself as Soulaani Blue, he released his debut single “repeat” in January 2025, followed by the EP i love you still in September 2025. He engineers all of his own material — recording, mixing, and mastering — and collaborates primarily with producers PLXY and RAW‑M, with additional production from BeatsbyEmani and ZUUBEK. His cited influences include Smino, Dende, Jordan Ward, Lucky Daye, JID, Leon Thomas, Noname, Mac Ayres, Rapsody, and Mannywellz.