This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Neo soul (also known as nu soul) is a music genre and an umbrella term for current soul music. The music is usually a hybrid of 1970s-influenced soul music with influences from jazz, funk, hip hop and house music. The term neo soul was originated by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s. Neo soul's audience tends to be underground, preferring that the music favor underground credibility and soulfulness over mainstream popularity. Some musicians who create what is described as neo-soul prefer to disassociate themselves from the tag, due to the term's buzzword-like usage. Some of these artists simply refer to themselves as soul artists. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... House music is a style of electronic dance music that was developed by dance club DJs in Chicago in the early to mid-1980s. ... Kedar Massenberg is an American record producer and record label executive, best known as the president of Motown Records from 1997 to 2004. ... Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City, hence mo(tor)town), from where it achieved widespread international success. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

History

20th Century

The genre is considered to have originated with the work of British Soul artists like Neneh Cherry & Omar Lye-Fook, as well as Raphael Saadiq's band Tony! Toni! Toné! in the mid-1990s, but the term began to surface after the release of singer Joi's debut album Pendulum Vibe, which contained elements of early 1970s style arrangements along with Rock style elements. It resurfaced with D'Angelo's 1995 LP Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar featured elements of classic soul, inspired by artists such as Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, that had not been regularly seen in modern African-American mainstream music since the early/mid-1970s. In 1995 came the work of a duo called Groove Theory, which included the members Amel Larrieux, the singer and Bryce Wilson. Another possible origin of the neo-soul movement is the UK acid jazz scene of the early 1990s, with artists such as Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, and N'Dea Davenport. Neneh Cherry performing live in Vienna (ca. ... Omar Lye-Fook (a. ... Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, California) is an acclaimed American music artist. ... Tony! Toni! Toné! was an R&B group from Oakland, California popular during the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Joi Gilliam (born January 25, 1972) is an American R&B/Rock singer, record producer and songwriter associated with the Dungeon Family collective based in Atlanta, Georgia, and as such often performs with OutKast, the Organized Noise production team, and Goodie Mob (her ex-husband, Big Gipp, is a member... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... DAngelo (born Michaela Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974 in Richmond, Virginia) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Brown Sugar is the 1995 debut solo album by the neo soul artist DAngelo, as well as a title track of the same name. ... Stevie Wonder (born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris)[1] is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. ... Donny Hathaway (October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an American soul musician. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Groove Theory on the cover of their 1995 self-titled debut album Groove Theory is an American R&B duo, best known for their 1995 hits Tell Me, Keep Tryin and Baby Luv, from their self-titled debut album. ... Amel Larrieux is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. ... Bryce Wilson (born in 1972) also formerly known as Bryce Luvah, is a record label executive/producer, actor, musician, and former rapper. ... Acid jazz (sometimes groove jazz) is a musical genre that combines jazz influences with elements of soul music, funk, disco and hip hop. ... Jamiroquai is a Grammy Award-winning English funk / soul / disco band. ... The Brand New Heavies are an acid jazz and alternative hip hop group formed in 1985 in Ealing, a suburb of London, England. ... NDea Davenport is an American singer best known for her role in the Brand New Heavies, a British funk and R&B band. ...

In 1996, Singers Maxwell & Eric Benet both debuted the successful solo albums Urban Hang Suite and True to Myself, pushing the new soul sound into the mainstream. In 1997, Motown Records artist Erykah Badu released her debut LP, Baduizm. The success of that album paved the way for new Motown chief Kedar Massenburg to shift the direction of much of the company's output towards Badu's style, which he dubbed neo-soul. The first soul revival artist to make a major impact on the mainstream was Lauryn Hill, whose 1998 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP was a critical and commercial success, garnering five Grammy Awards. Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Maxwell is a common Scottish, English, or Irish name that may refer to: // Anna Maxwell (1851–1929) Augustus Maxwell (1820–1903) Blakey Harris James 2006 Colt Telecom Brian Maxwell (1953–2004) Carmen Maxwell Cedric Maxwell (born 1955) Charlie Maxwell (born 1927) David Maxwell (academic) David Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of... Eric Benét (born October 15, 1966 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer. ... Motown Records, also known as Tamla-Motown outside of the United States, is a record label originally based out of Detroit, Michigan (Motor City, hence mo(tor)town), from where it achieved widespread international success. ... Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright, February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas) is an American neo-soul, R&B/hip hop artist whose work crosses over into jazz. ... Baduizm is the debut album by American nu soul singer Erykah Badu, released in 1997 (see 1997 in music). ... Kedar Massenberg is an American record producer and record label executive, best known as the president of Motown Records from 1997 to 2004. ... Neo soul (also known as nu soul) is a music genre and an umbrella term for current soul music. ... Lauryn Noel Hill (born May 25, 1975) is an American singer, rapper, musician, record producer and film actress. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo album by Lauryn Hill of the recently reunited Fugees. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music...

After Hill's phenomenal success, a number of other neo-soul artists began scoring R&B hits, most notably Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Macy Gray, Goapele, India.Arie, Davina, Pru, Raphael Saadiq, Alice Smith, Jazzyfatnastees, Adriana Evans, Ursula Rucker, Rhian Benson and Martha Redbone. Other major soul artists have included Lucy Pearl, Floetry, Glenn Lewis, Res, Anthony Hamilton, Bilal and Dwele, all of whom became staples of R&B radio. Recent major neo soul artists include Alicia Keys, John Legend, Joss Stone, Emily King, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi, Conya Doss, Julie Dexter, Laurnea, N'Dambi, Gaelle, Rachael Bell, Joy Denalane, Maya Azucena, Joy, Aya, Divine Brown, Angela Johnson, Teedra Moses and British songstress Corinne Bailey Rae who has topped the charts with her self-titled debut CD, receiving three Grammy nominations. Angie Stone (born Angela Laverne Brown on January 30, 1961) is an American R&B, soul, and neo soul singer, songwriter, keyboardist, record producer, and occasional actress. ... Musiq Soulchild (born Talib Johnson on September 16, 1977. ... For the footballer, see Jill Scott (footballer). ... Macy Gray (born Natalie Renee McIntyre on September 6, 1967[1]) is an American Grammy Award winning R&B, soul, and neo soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis. ... Goapele Mohlabane (pronounced gwah-puh-LAY) (born on July 11, 1977), professionally known as Goapele is an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. ... India. ... Pru may refer to: Pru (Thai band), a Thai indie pop band. ... Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, California) is an acclaimed American music artist. ... Alice Smith (b. ... The Jazzyfatnastees are Mercedez Matrinez and Tracey Moore, an American R&B/neo-soul vocal duo. ... Adriana Evans is an American R&B vocalist. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Rhian Benson on the cover of her 2003 debut album Gold Coast Rhian Benson (born in Accra, Ghana) is a Ghanaian soul/jazz singer and songwriter. ... Martha Redbone is a part Shawnee, African American, and Choctaw musician. ... Lucy Pearl on the cover of their 2000 self-titled album Lucy Pearl is the name of an R&B supergroup. ... Floetry is a female British hip-hop/neo-soul duo. ... Glenn Lewis is an Black Canadian neo soul singer. ... Res on the cover of her 2001 debut album How I Do Shareese Renèe Ballard, better known as Res (pronounced reese) is a female R&B singer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Anthony Hamilton (born January 28, 1971 in Charlotte, North Carolina) is an American R&B, soul, and neo soul singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his Platinum-selling second studio album Comin from Where Im From (2003), which featured the singles Comin from Where I... Bilal (born Bilal Sayeed Oliver on August 23, 1979, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) is a neo soul musician and member of the musical collective known as Soulquarians. ... Dwele (born Andwele Gardner) is an R&B and soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. ... Alexis is Alicias #1 fan. ... John Legend (born John Stephens on 28 December 1978) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Joss Stone (born Joscelyn Eve Stoker on 11 April 1987) is a British soul, R&B, and blues singer, songwriter, and occasional actress who emerged to fame in late 2003 with her debut album, The Soul Sessions, which was certified triple platinum by the BPI, and was announced as one... // Emily King was born Emily Cowings to an international jazz duo, Marion Cowings and Kim Kalesti in New York. ... Chrisette Michele Payne (born December 22, 1982), known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B singer on the Def Jam Recordings record label. ... Ledisi Anibade (pronounced LED-is-EE) is an R&B singer from New Orleans. ... Joy Maureen Denalane (born 1973 in Berlin) is an Afro-German singer and songwriter, known for her mixture of Soul, R&B and African Folk music with lyrics in German and English language. ... Look up joy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the London born recording artist who also goes by the name Aya, see Lysa Aya Trenier. ... Mugshot of Brown taken when arrested in 1996 for having oral sex in public with Hugh Grant Mugshot of Grant taken when arrested in 1996 for enjoying oral sex in public with Divine Brown Divine Brown (born Estella Marie Thompson, 9 August 1969) is an American prostitute who gained considerable... Angela Johnson is the first woman sentenced to death by the United States federal government since Bonnie Brown Heady was put to death in the gas chamber in 1953. ... Teedra Shenita Moses is an African American R&B singer and songwriter. ... Corinne Bailey Rae (born February 26, 1979) is an English singer-songwriter from Leeds who released her eponymous debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006. ...

In general, neo soul has remained almost exclusive to R&B outlets such as urban radio and Black Entertainment Television (BET), as well as TV One. Most of its artists are unfamiliar to mainstream audiences, and its sound generally focuses on artist expression rather than pop orientation. While these artists have found major success in those venues, they generally have yet to cross over to mainstream American music listeners. The term urban contemporary was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. ... BET redirects here. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Hill remains the best-known and consistently successful neo soul artist from a mainstream, commercial point of view, thanks to two big pop singles: "Everything Is Everything" and "Doo Wop (That Thing)", both of which were far more hip hop oriented, containing rapped verses, than most neo soul. Hill is also widely known because of her successful sweep of the 1999 Grammys. Keys is widely known because she has had the biggest single mainstream neo soul hit to date with "Fallin'", which contained no rap verse and consequently managed to cross over not only onto the pop charts, but also onto both the hot and the soft Adult contemporary music charts. Doo Wop (That Thing) is a 1998 number-one single by American R&B singer/rapper Lauryn Hill, included on her debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. ... This article is about the year. ... Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards), presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music... Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreviated AC, is a type of radio format that plays mainstream contemporary pop music, excluding hip hop, hard rock, and some teen pop music, which is intended for an adult audience. ...

Towards the turn of the millennium, Macy Gray had a massive urban, pop, and adult contemporary hit with "I Try". Gray's other singles, while successful in some outlets, failed to make an impression on the pop charts as "I Try" did. Macy Gray (born Natalie Renee McIntyre on September 6, 1967[1]) is an American Grammy Award winning R&B, soul, and neo soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis. ...

21st Century

Wyclef Jean's protégés City High managed two successful singles on the pop charts, "Caramel" and "What Would You Do", in 2001, which was a time when hearing hip hop on pop radio was no longer anything exceptional, as it had been during Hill's initial success. Because of this, City High did not receive the same widespread recognition that Hill had three years earlier; and since City High's singles were more upbeat and rhythmic sounding than Keys' "Fallin'" and Gray's "I Try", they did not cross over onto the AC charts. As a result, City High, is nowhere near as well known as either Hill, Gray, or Keys, even despite the group's pop radio and MTV hits. Nelust Wyclef Jean (IPA: ) (born October 17, 1972) is a Haitian-American rapper, guitarist, producer, and member of the hip hop trio The Fugees. ... City High was an American R&B/hip hop trio consisting of rappers/singers Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo and Claudette Ortiz. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the original U.S. music television channel. ...

Other neo soul artists are hardly known of at all in mainstream America, having yet to cross over to the mainstream despite the fact that most have found success with the urban audience, urban radio, and BET. Most have also found success on the music video channels MTV2 and VH1 Soul. Some, like Maxwell, Erykah Badu, and D'Angelo, are somewhat known by mainstream America for having initiated the neo soul genre, from critical acclaim, from word-of-mouth recommendations of their albums, and from other media appearances, such as D'Angelo's performance on VH1's Men Strike Back 2000 and Badu's role in the movie Blues Brothers 2000. MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to basic cable lineups across the nation. ... VH1 Soul is a digital cable and satellite television channel, it is a sister network to VH1. ... Maxwell, on the cover of his 2001 Now album. ... Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright, February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas) is an American neo-soul, R&B/hip hop artist whose work crosses over into jazz. ... DAngelo (born Michaela Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974 in Richmond, Virginia) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994 and VH1: Music First until 2003) is an American digital television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently... Blues Brothers 2000 is a 1998 musical/comedy film and sequel to the highly successful 1980 film The Blues Brothers. ...

In October 2003, neo soul was given an outlet in commercial radio in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. WPAL 100.9 FM went from playing traditional R&B and classic soul, to playing neo-soul, under the consultation, and lead of its program director J.R. Rivers. Nickname: Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ...