John Legend's smooth voice and captivating stage presence have made him one of the most successful musical artists in recent memory. His music skillfully fuses elements of R&B, gospel, and jazz to create a unique neo soul sound that resonates with audiences across generations. Known for his emotionally charged ballads and powerful storytelling, Legend's standout tracks include "Ordinary People," "Save Room," and "All of Me."
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Alicia Keys emerged onto the neo soul scene in 2001 with her groundbreaking debut album, Songs in A Minor. Her classical piano training combined with her emotional songwriting and powerful vocals create an unforgettable sound that has captivated listeners for decades. As an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter, Keys' influence on the neo soul genre is undeniable. Essential tracks include "Fallin'," "If I Ain't Got You," and "No One."
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The late Amy Winehouse became an international sensation in 2006 with the release of her sophomore album, Back to Black. Her soulful voice and candid songwriting captured the hearts of fans worldwide, leaving behind a lasting impact on the neo soul genre. Winehouse's ability to seamlessly blend elements of jazz, R&B, and blues created a sound that was entirely her own. Unforgettable tracks from her career include "Rehab," "Tears Dry on Their Own," and "Love Is a Losing Game."
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- #33 of 556 onThe 250+ Best Singers Of All Time, Ranked
Joss Stone's powerful voice took the music world by storm in 2003 with her debut album, The Soul Sessions. Her unique blend of R&B, soul, and blues has earned her numerous accolades throughout her career. With emotionally charged lyrics and an undeniable stage presence, Stone remains a major influence in the neo soul genre. Key songs from her catalog include "Spoiled," "Tell Me 'Bout It," and "Right to Be Wrong."
More Joss Stone- #368 of 556 onThe 250+ Best Singers Of All Time, Ranked
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Res first made an impact on the neo soul scene with her 2001 debut album, How I Do. Her genre-defying sound combines elements of R&B, rock, and electronica to create a unique listening experience that has continued to captivate fans over time. Memorable tracks from Res include "Golden Boys," "Ice King," and "They-Say Vision."
Georgia Anne Muldrow is a multifaceted artist known for her contributions as a singer, songwriter, and producer in the neo soul genre. Her experimental sound effortlessly blends elements of R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music to create an unforgettable listening experience. Some standout tracks from her career include "Run Away," "Seeds," and "Roses."
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Cherokee first made waves in the neo soul community with her debut album, I Love You…Me in 1999. Her unique sound combines elements of R&B, jazz, and hip-hop to create a captivating listening experience that has resonated with fans for decades. Known for her sultry vocals and introspective lyrics, Cherokee's standout tracks include "Ooh Wee Wee," "Stars," and "Voodoo Woman."
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Welsh singer Duffy brought fresh energy to the neo soul scene with her 2008 debut album, Rockferry. Her powerful voice and emotive songwriting have drawn comparisons to iconic artists like Dusty Springfield and Etta James. With hit tracks like "Mercy," "Warwick Avenue," and "Stepping Stone," Duffy became an international sensation.
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The Heavy is a British band known for their unique fusion of rock, funk, soul, and hip-hop flavors. Their music often incorporates elements of classic soul and R&B, which has earned them a following among neo soul enthusiasts. Standout tracks from their discography include "How You Like Me Now," "What Makes a Good Man," and "Short Change Hero."
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Jaguar Wright
Blu Cantrell burst onto the neo soul scene in the early 2000s with her powerful vocals and infectious melodies. Her debut album, So Blu, showcased her unique blend of R&B, jazz, and pop influences that made her an instant sensation. Cantrell's memorable songs include hits like "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)," "Breathe," and "Make Me Wanna Scream."
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British-Ghanaian singer Rhian Benson made her mark in the neo soul scene with her 2003 debut album, Gold Coast. Her sultry voice and emotionally charged lyrics captivated audiences, while her fusion of R&B, jazz, and African music influences created a truly unique sound. Standout tracks from Benson include "Say How I Feel," "Stealing My Peace of Mind," and "Rewind."
While primarily known as a pioneering hip-hop group, De La Soul's influence on the neo soul movement cannot be ignored. With their unique blend of clever lyrics, innovative production, and soulful grooves, the group has contributed to the evolution of the genre throughout their decades-long career. Key tracks from their extensive discography include "Me Myself and I," "Stakes Is High," and "Breakadawn."
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Mayer Hawthorne's smooth voice and vintage-inspired sound have made him a favorite among neo soul fans since his debut album, A Strange Arrangement. With influences ranging from classic Motown to contemporary R&B, Hawthorne's music offers a fresh take on traditional soul styles. Essential tracks include "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out," "The Walk," and "Her Favorite Song."
- Beverley Knight, (born Beverley Anne Smith; 22 March 1973) is an English recording artist and musical theatre actress who released her debut album, The B-Funk, in 1995. Heavily influenced by American soul music icons such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released eight studio albums to date. Widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, Knight is best known for her hit singles "Greatest Day", "Get Up!", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Come as You Are". In 2006 Knight solidified her transition into the mainstream by starring in the BBC music TV series Just the Two of Us, a role she reprised in 2007. After releasing a platinum-selling compilation album in 2006, Knight went on to tour the UK with a reformed Take That. She has also hosted four series of the BBC Radio 2 show Beverley's Gospel Nights, which explores the origins and impact of gospel music. To date the show has run for four seasons and has featured interviews with stars such as Michelle Williams and Shirley Caesar. Knight is an ambassador for many charities such as Christian Aid and has travelled to areas affected by disease and poverty to help raise awareness. She is an active campaigner for anti-Aids organisations such as the Stop AIDS Campaign and The Terrence Higgins Trust and is also a vocal campaigner against homophobic lyrics in urban music. On Saturday, 15 August 2009, she performed live at the fourth annual UK Black Pride event in Regent's Park. On Friday 4 December 2009, at the invitation of Sarah Brown, wife of the Prime Minister, Knight performed the two songs "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Gold" to an invited audience at 10 Downing Street in support of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Million Mums charity. After more than a decade in the music industry, Knight was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 in recognition of her contribution to British music. In September 2005, Knight was made an honorary Doctor of Music by the University of Wolverhampton. After receiving a host of awards, including three MOBO Awards, Knight was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 at the Urban Music Awards in London. Knight supported Prince during his residency at the O2 Arena and ended up performing at his after party. As a result of this, she was also flown to perform at his Oscars party in front of A-list stars and got a standing ovation from stars such as Quincy Jones. Knight sang at the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. The performance was unanimously praised and a recorded version by Knight reached #101 on iTunes, her first charting single since "Soul Survivor" and highest since "Beautiful Night" in 2010 and 2009 respectively. In September 2013, Knight made her first foray into musical theatre, taking over the lead role of Rachel Marron from Heather Headley in The Bodyguard. On 21 February 2014, it was confirmed that Knight would take on the lead role of Felicia in the musical Memphis, opening on 23 October 2014.Beverly made her panto debut in 2017 at the Birmingham Hippodrome as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
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