Neo-Soul — a style that fuses jazz, soul, funk, and R&B. History of origin, key artists (D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill), interesting facts, and influence on modern music.
Neo-Soul is a genre that emerged in the late 1990s as a response to musicians’ desire to blend the traditions of soul, jazz, funk, and R&B with a modern sound. It is characterized by deep lyrics, live instrumentation, and a warm atmosphere, standing in contrast to the commercial mainstream R&B.
History and Origins
The term “neo-soul” began to be actively used in the mid-1990s thanks to producer and musician Kedar Massenburg (who worked with D’Angelo and Erykah Badu). The genre became a platform for artists who wanted to preserve “live” music and emotional depth while adapting it for a new generation of listeners.
The pioneer of the genre is considered to be D’Angelo with his album Brown Sugar (1995), as well as Erykah Badu, whose sound combined jazz improvisation, hip-hop, and soul. Soon, the movement was joined by Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Jill Scott, and Musiq Soulchild.
Key Features
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Warm analog sound, often with elements of vintage recording.
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Deep, personal lyrics touching on philosophical and social themes.
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Eclecticism: a fusion of jazz, funk, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues.
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An atmosphere of “honest music” — as an alternative to manufactured pop.
Interesting Facts
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Neo-Soul is often referred to as the “soul of the 21st century.”
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The genre has been heavily influenced by jazz harmonies and improvisation.
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Many Neo-Soul artists avoided heavy commercialization, preferring club scenes and live performances.
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The album Erykah Badu – Baduizm (1997) is considered one of the defining records of the genre.
Today
Today, Neo-Soul continues to evolve. The genre’s influence can be heard in the music of Adele, Anderson .Paak, Frank Ocean, H.E.R., and Solange. It even inspires hip-hop artists, bringing an atmosphere of “warmth and depth” to modern music.
