Neo-Soul

As 1990s R&B fused with hip-hop, a new generation of artists emerged who returned to the roots of funky, '70s style soul. Taking their inspiration from the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, and Aretha Franklin, artists like Maxwell and Me'Shell Ndegeocello rarely use hard-hitting rap beats, preferring classic soul vocals and live instrumentation. Most of these artists were raised on hip-hop as well, so hip-hop slang does creep into their music, as do the sampling styles that were popularized by the rap producers of the last decade. However, Neo-Soul artists are primarily dedicated to revisiting the soul of the '70s, blending new and classic styles to create a vibrant, contemporary sound.