Genre Definition
What is Soul music?
Soul is a music genre that originated 1950s--present. USA, late 1950s-1960s.
Origin of Soul
USA, late 1950s-1960s. Grew from the fusion of gospel fervour with secular R&B. Ray Charles and Sam Cooke are credited as pioneers. Stax Records in Memphis (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett) and Motown in Detroit (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder) defined regional variants.
Era: 1950s--present
Defining sound of Soul
Gospel call-and-response vocal dynamics applied to secular topics. Lush horn arrangements, tight rhythm sections, warm analog production. BPM typically 60-120. Vocal expressiveness -- growls, melisma, falsetto -- is the primary artistic vehicle.
Essential Soul albums
See all
channel ORANGE
Frank Ocean
4.7/5
Red Moon In Venus
Kali Uchis
4.6/5
What’s Going On: The Detroit Mix
Marvin Gaye
4.5/5
Voodoo
D'Angelo
4.5/5
A Seat at the Table
Solange
4.5/5
The College Dropout
Kanye West
4.5/5
Lemonade
Beyoncé
4.5/5
Ventura
Anderson .Paak
3.5/5
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Ms. Lauryn Hill
4.7/5
Baduizm
Erykah Badu
4.6/5
Pioneers of Soul
- Ray Charles
- Sam Cooke
- Otis Redding
- Aretha Franklin
- Marvin Gaye
Key Soul artists
Related genres
Frequently asked questions about Soul
- When did Soul start?
- Soul originated 1950s--present. USA, late 1950s-1960s.
- Who invented Soul?
- Soul was pioneered by Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye. USA, late 1950s-1960s. Grew from the fusion of gospel fervour with secular R&B. Ray Charles and Sam Cooke are credited as pioneers. Stax Records in Memphis (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett) and Motown in Detroit (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder) defined regional variants.
- Is Soul still popular?
- Soul continues to be listened to and has influenced countless artists since its origins. Key contemporary artists in the genre include Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Sharon Jones.
- What does Soul sound like?
- Gospel call-and-response vocal dynamics applied to secular topics. Lush horn arrangements, tight rhythm sections, warm analog production. BPM typically 60-120. Vocal expressiveness -- growls, melisma, falsetto -- is the primary artistic vehicle.
- What is the difference between Soul and r-and-b?
- Soul and r-and-b are related genres that share some characteristics but differ in origin, instrumentation, and production approach. See the r-and-b definition page for a full comparison.
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