It’s a general consensus that Soul Music is a blend between R&B, Blues, and Gospel music dating back as early as the 1950’s. The inspiring art form derived from the early struggles within the Black community, which gave birth to a few commonly known forefathers: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and James Brown. According to Nero: there are many different types of Soul music, including, but not limited to: Southern Soul, Neo-Soul and Psychedelic Soul (which paved the way for Funk music in the 1960s).
As a fan of Soul Music, I have been able to listen, analyze, and relate to its various styles, however Neo-Soul is the one element that I subconsciously clung to.
As its name (new-soul) implies, Neo-Soul music is essentially modern-day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities. It differs from con temporary R&B in that it's obviously more soulful, and it also tends to have deeper messages and meanings than R&B (Nero, 2011). During the mid 90’s my mother’s speakers filled my ears with what most considered to be the beginning of the Neo Soul movement; Raphael Saadiq, DeAngelo, and Erykah Badu. Although Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records is credited with coining the phrase “Neo Soul”, I credit my mother for the genres informal introduction into my life.
During the 90’s artist like Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq, DeAngelo, and Luaryn Hill, and Mary J. Blidge musical influence was grand. In fact they played an intricate role in my love for music. Today, artist like India Arie, Jill Scott, N’Dambi, Goapele, Leela James, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, The Roots, Dwele, Musiq, and a host of others keep my speakers vibrating, and my eardrums attentive. In addition soul artist Jaguar Wright has provided some interesting dialogue on Neo-Soul, and its hype. Her sophomore album entitled “Divorcing Neo to Marry Soul raised eyebrows in the music industry.
In her 2005 interview with Doorie Williams-Wheeler of Thabiz.com, Jaguar discussed her dislike for the Neo-Soul title stating:
“What the title means. Neo-soul. Neo meaning new. There is nothing new about soul music. Don't believe the hype. I'm not a part of the hype, I don't believe in hype. Divorcing myself from the stigmata, embracing the history. They don't have a right to take that history from us. I don't know why but for some reason so many black artists feel the need to divorce themselves from their history and their culture and their roots. I'm not one of them people. Divorcing the garbage, marrying the real”.
I understand Jaguars frustration with Black artist feeling the need to divorce their history, however it’s not just the artist its Black people in general. Somehow we have been misguided, and led to believe that our indigenous roots are noting more than an afterthought. Soul music has produced some serious truth tellers in its most glorious past. Finding the conviction to pursue our fondest dreams and the courage to face-up to our darkest truth is perhaps the artist’s greatest challenge (N’Dambi). Despite the criticism, and confusion associated with the Neo Soul and Soul genre, along with its limited appeal to mainstream America. I’m infatuated with the sound!
Reference:
Nero, Mark E. The Definition of Soul. An Origin of the Genre. Retrieved
(2011) About.com Guide. http://randb.about.com/od/rb12/a/Soul_Music.htm
Nero, Mark. E. What is Neo-Soul? Retrieved (2011) About.com Guide.
Wheeler, D.W. (2205) Jaguar Wright Interview. Retrieved (2011)
THABIZ.com.
http://www.thabiz.com/jaguar_wright_interview.htm Images
tradebit.com
blackmenarise.com
http://zazzle.com
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