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Soul music

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Soul music is a powerful popular music genre.

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

It originated in African-American communities across the United States. This genre emerged during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Soul music is much more than just a sound. It reflects African-American identity and celebrates African-American culture. The music grew from a desire to increase awareness of African ancestry. This newfound consciousness led to music that expressed pride in being black.

JamesBrown
JamesBrown

The music is built on very specific technical elements. It features catchy rhythms that are often stressed by handclaps. Performers also use extemporaneous body movements to express the music. A major hallmark is call and response. This is a technique where lead vocalists interact with backing vocalists. The vocal sound is often described as especially tense. Artists may add improvisational additions to their songs. These can include melodic twirls or various auxiliary sounds.

Sam Cooke 1961
Sam Cooke 1961

Soul music is a hybrid of several distinct musical styles. It primarily combines elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues, or R&B. It also incorporates many elements from jazz. The genre represents a hybridization of religious and secular styles. This means it mixes sacred musical traditions with non-religious lyrical content. Some musicians also used techniques from soul jazz. This created a wide umbrella for African-American popular music.

Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke

Many different subgenres emerged in different American cities. The Motown sound was a rhythmic and pop-friendly style from Detroit. Southern soul provided a driving and energetic variety. This style combined R&B with southern gospel influences. Memphis soul was known for being shimmering and sultry. New Orleans soul emerged directly from the R&B style. Chicago soul offered a lighter sound influenced by gospel. Finally, Philadelphia soul featured a lush orchestral variety. This style often used doo-wop-inspired vocals.

Otis Redding
Otis Redding

The history of soul is marked by many influential innovators. Ray Charles helped popularize the genre in the 1950s. His 1954 hit "I Got a Woman" was very important. Sam Cooke is also considered one of the genre's forefathers. He moved from gospel to secular music and found pop success. James Brown earned the nickname "Godfather of Soul."

Ray Charles classic piano pose
Ray Charles classic piano pose

Little Richard also influenced the genre significantly. Solomon Burke and the Atlantic record label helped create a true movement. By 1961, the phrase "soul music" was officially used to describe this style.

Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke

During the 1960s, soul music achieved massive commercial success. It dominated the U.S. R&B charts during this decade. Many recordings also crossed over into the mainstream pop charts. This happened in the United States and the United Kingdom. Aretha Franklin became known as the "Queen of Soul." Her 1967 recordings were both significant and commercially successful.

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

By 1968, the genre began to splinter into new directions. Some artists moved toward funk music. Others developed more sophisticated and socially conscious varieties. In the 1970s, soul absorbed influences from psychedelic and progressive rock.

Marvin Gaye (1973)
Marvin Gaye (1973)

Soul music has a lasting connection to global musical systems. It directly influenced rock music and the music of Africa.

In the 1970s and 1980s, artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye evolved the sound. Marvin Gaye shifted to a socially conscious sound in 1971. A new subgenre called neo soul developed around 1994. This style incorporated modern production and hip-hop influences. The legacy of soul continues to shape modern R&B.

BLACK SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH 'BLACK... - NARA - 556307
BLACK SOUL SINGER ISAAC HAYES PERFORMS AT THE INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATER IN CHICAGO AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PUSH 'BLACK... - NARA - 556307
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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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