Neo-Soul: The Music Genre
Music has become a part of people’s everyday lives. Even though the genre of music that one may be interested in may differ, the fact that music can uplift one’s soul remains the same. Music has the ability to bring everyone closer with its beautiful tones, rhythm, and lyrics. Music has many genres that have undoubtedly evolved over the years. However, these genres have and will continue to be shaped by that age’s specific wants and needs. Neo-Soul has become a very popular type of music within the past decade. Its lyrics, melodies, and earthy tones have been an outlet for those who are not so interested in the mainstream world of R & B. From its various artists to its mellow energy, Neo-Soul has unmistakably taken its place among many genres of music that seem to make the world go ‘round. Neo-Soul, also known as new soul, is a sub genre of Rhythm and Blues, however, it has been closely linked to Soul music of the 1970s (Neo-Soul). This music genre is, what some may say, “a continuation of rhythm ‘n’ blues which goes back to the 1940s, with roots that go back further” (Holsey D1). Neo-Soul is infused with musical influences such as “jazz, funk, Latin, African, hip hop and house music” (Neo-Soul). Neo-Soul (or new soul) has the feel of modern day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities (Nero). Compared to contemporary R & B, Neo-Soul is more soulful and has deeper meanings (Nero). While some Neo-Soul artist have entered into the mainstream music industry, this genre is still mainly underground, which means that its artists do not receive a lot of publicity like other music artists (Neo-Soul). Even though the term neo soul was coined by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s, the concept of Neo-Soul is not as recent (Holsey D1). Artists like Raphael Saadiq, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu all emerged in the early to mid-1990s (Nero). All of these musical artists had styles...