Discovering Underground Neo Soul Music

Looking for some new music to add to your collection? Check out our blog for a curated selection of the best underground neo soul tracks!

The Birth of Neo Soul

Erykah Badu

In the late 1990s, a new type of soul music was born. Known as neo soul, this sound was a mix of classic soul, R&B, and hip hop. Unlike many of the soul singers that came before her, Erykah Badu didn’t conform to the pop sound that was popular at the time. Instead, she stayed true to her roots, creating a sound that was raw and organic.

badu’s debut album, Baduizm, was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. The album featured the hit single “On & On,” which helped to further solidify Badu’s place as one of the leading figures in neo soul. In the years that followed, Badu would release several more albums, all of which received critical acclaim. She would also cement her place as one of neo soul’s most iconic artists.

D’Angelo

D’Angelo is often credited as being one of the forerunners of the neo soul movement. His debut album, Brown Sugar, was released in 1995 to critical and commercial acclaim. It featured a mix of R&B, funk, and soul music, and D’Angelo’s smooth vocals and sensual lyrics helped to establish him as a sex symbol in the music industry. After taking a break from the spotlight for several years, D’Angelo made a comeback in 2014 with his third album, Black Messiah. The album was greeted with rave reviews, and it helped to solidify D’Angelo’s place as one of the most prominent neo soul artists of our time.

The Mainstreaming of Neo Soul

With the mainstreaming of neo soul music, more people are exposed to the genre and its various sub-genres. This is a good thing because it allows people to appreciate the music for what it is and not just what is popular at the moment. Neo soul music is a genre that is constantly evolving, and with the mainstreaming of it, even more people can enjoy it.

Lauryn Hill

In the 1990s, Lauryn Hill was one of the most popular musicians in the world. Her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, won five Grammy Awards and sold over eight million copies in the United States. But Hill’s music wasn’t just popular; it was also groundbreaking. Drawing from a wide range of influences, including soul, hip hop, and reggae, Hill created a unique sound that helped to define the neo soul genre.

After a hiatus from music, Hill made her comeback in 2018 with a series of live performances and a new single, “Guarding the Gates.” Since then, she has continued to tour and release new music, cementing her status as one of the most important figures in neo soul.

Alicia Keys

As one of the most popular R&B artists of the early 2000s, Alicia Keys brought neo soul music to a mainstream audience. neo soul is a genre that combines elements of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and jazz. While it is often associated with artists like D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys was able to bring the sound to a wider audience.

Alicia Keys released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in 2001. The album was a commercial and critical success, earning her five Grammy Awards. It included the hit singles “Fallin'” and “A Woman’s Worth.” Following the release of her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, in 2003, Alicia Keys cemented her place as one of the most popular R&B artists of the 2000s.

While Alicia Keys is not considered a neo soul artist by purists, she has undoubtedly helped to bring the sound to a wider audience. Her popularity has helped to introduce neo soul to new listeners who might not have otherwise been exposed to the genre.

The New Wave of Neo Soul

Jhené Aiko

JA: Yeah. I was introduced to her by one of my good friends, and she’s just so dope. She’s so multitalented, she can sing, she can rap, she can write her own songs. And she’s so beautiful inside and out. We actually did a cover of one of her songs together called “The Worst”, and it was just so much fun to do. I feel like she’s definitely someone to look out for in the future.

MF: I agree, especially since her debut album Souled Out just came out last year and it charted at number three on the Billboard 200. It’s clear that she has a lot of potential and is definitely an artist to watch.

H.E.R.

H.E.R. is the stage name of Gabi Wilson, a young R&B singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. H.E.R.’s debut EP, H.E.R., was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. The EP earned Wilson a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

Born in Vallejo, California, Wilson began her musical career as a child prodigy, playing saxophone and piano. She cites Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, and India Arie as her musical influences. In high school, she joined a girl group called Scenesse, which disbanded after its members graduated.

In 2016, H.E.R.’s self-titled debut EP was released independently to critical acclaim. The EP earned Wilson a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

H.E.R.’s music has been described as “a soulful mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop.” Her song “Focus” peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States; it also topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand.

SZA

SZA is an American singer and songwriter. She released her debut EP, See.SZA.Run, in October 2012, and her first studio album, CTRL, in June 2017. She has been described as a “style trailblazer” by Vogue and “one of R&B’s most exciting new voices” by Pitchfork.

SZA’s music is described as alternative R&B, neo soul, and cloud rap. Her lyrics are often introspective, dealing with topics such as love, heartbreak, and self-doubt. SZA has cited Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Tupac Shakur, and Frank Ocean as musical influences.

In October 2012, SZA self-released her debut EP See.SZA.Run, which she then followed up with two more EPs: S and Z. Her debut studio album CTRL was released on June 9, 2017 to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also received six Grammy Award nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Performance for the lead single “The Weeknd”.