R&B/Soul is a broad category that encompasses much of non-sacred African American
music. Its reach spans from the early vocal hits by Sam & Dave such as "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man" to Ray
Charles' "What'd I Say" to the mid-1970s radio-ready soul/pop of the Delfonics' "Didn't I Blow Your Mind" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," and all the way to the modern R&B of
Beyonce and Usher. The category is united by emotive vocals, hints of funk and, of course, ample doses of pure, impassioned soul.
R&B/Soul: Earth Wind and Fire, The Five Stairsteps, Marvin Gaye, Lenny Williams, Donny Hathaway, The Isley Brothers, Dwele, Chuckii Booker, Kem, Floetry, Silk, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Jean Knight,
Will Downing, Brian McKnight, Sly & The Family Stone, Avant, Ray
Charles, Akon, R. Kelly, Nate Dogg, Usher, Carl Thomas, Dru Hill,
Bobby Valentino, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Jagged Edge, TLC, Ciara, Beyonce, Aaliyah, Alfonzo Hunter, After 7, Atlantic Starr, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, Whitney Houston, Omarion, J. Holiday, Raheem DeVaughn, The Dream, Keri Hilson, Tyrese,
Joe, Alicia Keys, Keyshia
Cole, Lloyd, Musiq Soulchild, Montell Jordan, I-15, Lyfe Jennings, Mario, Ray J, and Gnarls Barkley.
