| Believed to have been originated in the late 1990s by | | | | the old school that has resulted in more and more |
| Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records, the term Neo | | | | artists going soul. |
| Soul refers to a musical genre that many observers | | | | In 1984, a group known as Force M.D.'s began |
| are calling the revitalization of soul. This genre is quite | | | | recording with Tommy Boy Records, asserting that |
| unique in the way it fuses old school soul and | | | | their style of music would combine musical influences |
| contemporary R&B with styles that range from | | | | from various eras. Although this quartet was heavily |
| blues and electric rock to poetry and spoken word. | | | | influenced by early hip hop, 1950s doo wop along with |
| Raphael Saadiq and Tony Toni Tone are largely | | | | 1960s and 1970s soul left impressions on them as well. |
| credited for birthing the revolution with artists like | | | | Force M.D.'s were inspired by the Fat Boys, L.L. Cool J, |
| D'Angelo and Erykah Badu leading the wave into the | | | | Run D.M.C. and Whodini but most are not aware that |
| new millennium. While the next generation of soul | | | | they also got into the Penguins and the Five Satins, |
| features a balance of numerous musical elements, one | | | | groups that were doo wopping on the corner before |
| of the most notable is hip hop. Being that the genres | | | | these guys were even born. Anyone familiar with the |
| are so closely tied, it is should come as no surprise that | | | | sound will agree that Force M.D.'s were far ahead of |
| some of today's brightest hip hop stars are making the | | | | their time, delivering neo soul-like hip hop years before |
| transition to soul music. | | | | Mary J. Blige was anointed as the Queen of Hip Hop |
| The History of Hip Hop and Soul | | | | Soul. |
| Pick an album from almost any hip hop artist who has | | | | Who's Gone Soul? |
| been prevalent over the last two decades and you | | | | Several hip hop artists and producers are showing |
| are sure to come across a familiar hook you've heard | | | | diversity by releasing tracks laced with soulful |
| somewhere before. Perhaps it's snippets of Etta | | | | elements. Common has always been considered as a |
| James' "Hard to Handle" in Nas' Affirmative Action or a | | | | hip hop artist bordering on the soul genre, but you may |
| hint of "I Miss You" by Harold Melvin and the Blue | | | | be shocked to know that DJ Jazzy Jeff has been |
| Notes slipped into Jay Z's "This Can't Be Life". | | | | successfully dabbling with these experimental sounds |
| From the very beginning, hip hop artists have paid | | | | as well. Over the years, Jazzy has produced a |
| homage to classic soul music by using catchy samples | | | | number of soul-driven albums with tracks featuring |
| in their songs. The trend remains popular today as it is | | | | names like Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn amongst |
| not uncommon to hear the angelic voice of Nina | | | | many other aspiring soul artists. The continuous merger |
| Simone melded with lyrics of conscious rapper Talib | | | | of these dynamic genres is good to see as it is not |
| Kweli or the soulful sound of Curtis Mayfield | | | | only being embraced by the fans of soul music, but |
| complimenting the music of Grammy award-winning | | | | also helping to bring neo soul to the surface and reach |
| artist Kayne West. It is the fondness and respect of | | | | the ears of more listeners. |