Neo-Soul

Neo - Soul is a subgenre of soul music in the mid- 1990s has been developed and its greatest popularity reached early 2000s. The artists of the genre themselves off from the modern R & B (about Hip- Hop Soul ) and could therefore rarely celebrate commercial success. They rely on the original soul music of the 1970s, such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye or Donny Hathaway by mostly write their lyrics and often the music itself, and add sound with mainly live recorded instruments. In most cases, but also subtle elements of hip -hop can be used.

As one of the first neo-soul albums is often Brown Sugar ( 1995) by D' Angelo referred to, which was, however, still influenced by the hip-hop soul. One of the highlights of the genre is considered the album Baduizm ( 1997) by Erykah Badu. D' Angelo and Badu were both at the record label, the former president of Motown Kedar Massenburg under contract. To him the term " neo soul " goes back. The musicians collective Soulquarians, founded by Questlove, D' Angelo, J Dilla and James Poyser wore instrumental in increasing the awareness of the Neo Soul. Especially J Dillas influence on the genre since its participation in Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996 ) by A Tribe Called Quest was formative, sometimes it is even named as the founder of Neo - Soul. Likewise, DJ Jazzy Jeff played a significant role in the development of the genre with his production company A Touch of Jazz.

Other important representatives of Neo- Soul is about Joi, The Roots, Maxwell, Eric Benét, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Musiq, Bilal, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Dwele, John Legend and Lynden David Hall.