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Soul music

arts Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Soul music has a strong, catchy beat.

JamesBrown
JamesBrown

People often clap their hands to the rhythm. You might even see dancers moving their bodies to the sound. This music uses a style called call and response. This is when a lead singer and a backup group talk back and forth.

Aretha Franklin on January 20, 2009
Aretha Franklin on January 20, 2009

Soul music grew from African-American communities in the United States. It began in the late 1950s. The music mixes styles like gospel and R&B. It also uses jazz.

Sam Cooke 1961
Sam Cooke 1961

For many, soul music is about pride. It celebrates African-American culture and identity.

Many famous artists helped make soul music popular. Ray Charles was a huge star. James Brown was known as the "Godfather of Soul."

Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke

Aretha Franklin is called the "Queen of Soul." Other great singers include Sam Cooke and Otis Redding.

Otis Redding
Otis Redding

Some soul music was made in cities like Detroit or Memphis. In the 1990s, a new style called neo soul arrived. It added hip-hop sounds to the music. Soul music is still loved around the world today.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Ray_Charles_classic_piano_pose.jpg
Ray_Charles_classic_piano_pose.jpg
File:JamesBrown.jpg
JamesBrown.jpg
File:Sam_Cooke_1961.jpg
Sam_Cooke_1961.jpg
File:Solomon Burke.jpg
Solomon Burke.jpg
File:Aretha Franklin on January 20, 2009.jpg
Aretha Franklin on January 20, 2009.jpg
File:Marvin Gaye (1973).png
Marvin Gaye (1973).png
File:LeviStubbs.jpg
LeviStubbs.jpg
File:Otis Redding.png
Otis Redding.png
File:BLACK SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH 'BLACK... - NARA - 556307.jpg
BLACK SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES PERFORMS AT...
File:Adele 'Adele Live 2016' - Nashville DSC04671 (30410853565).jpg
Adele 'Adele Live 2016' - Nashville...
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