Eli "Paperboy" Reed is an American soul singer and songwriter who has built his career on a deep reverence for classic soul traditions. Born in 1983, Reed spent formative years in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Chicago, where he immersed himself in the city's South Side soul scene — hosting the radio show "We Got More Soul" on WHPK and playing organ and piano in local churches. After relocating to Boston, he launched his recording career with a series of releases that caught the attention of major labels, eventually signing to Virgin Records and later Capitol Records in 2009, establishing himself as a contemporary torchbearer for vintage soul music.
Reed's discography spans multiple labels and showcases his evolution as a songwriter and performer. Following his early independent releases, he delivered his major label debut Come and Get It! in 2010, produced by Mike Elizondo and drawing inspiration from late 1960s and early 1970s Chicago soul legends like Tyrone Davis and Mel & Tim. Subsequent albums including Roll With You, My Way Home (2016), and 99 Cent Dreams (2019) — recorded at the legendary Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis with producer Matt Ross-Spang — have solidified his reputation as a meticulous craftsman of soul music. His music has also appeared in television and film, including the AMC series Preacher and films like The Way Way Back.
Reed's commitment to authentic soul expression has earned him significant industry recognition, including a Breakthrough Artist of the Year nomination at the 2009 MOJO Awards. His 2019 album 99 Cent Dreams was selected as a 'Favorite Blues Album' by AllMusic, further cementing his status as a vital voice in contemporary soul music.
