WKNC DJ Profile

What is 'Neo-Soul'?

According to About.com:: "Neo-soul is a musical genre that fuses contemporary R&B and 1970s-style soul with elements of hip-hop. As its name (new-soul) implies, Neo-Soul music is essentially modern-day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities. It differs from contemporary R&B in that it's obviously more soulful, and it also tends to have deeper messages and meanings than R&B. In general, neo-soul has remained almost exclusive to R&B outlets such as urban radio and Black Entertainment Television.

The actual term "neo-soul" is believed to have originated with Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late-1990s. The genre itself however, is considered to have originated in the mid-1990s with the work of Raphael Saadiq's former band, Tony! Toni! Toné! and with "Brown Sugar," 1995 debut album of singer D'Angelo. In 1997, Motown artist Erykah Badu released her debut LP, Baduizm, the success of which paved the way for Massenburg to shift much of Motown's output toward Badu's style.

*Basically, if it isn't played ALL the time on regular stations and it makes you feel good and bob your head...it's Neo-Soul!

**As for those artists who DON'T like the term 'Neo-Soul'...it makes me no never mind! It's my show and if I think it's Neo-Soul....then it is! I'll use my discretion of course :-)

What is a 'Soulful Renaissance'?

Coined by my wonderful friend Marquise Hudson [who currently attends UNC Chapel Hill] it is

"A necessary change that goes deeper than what eyes naturally see, spoken about through music!!!"

I LOVE IT!!!

Who might you expect?

Jill Scott
Raheem Devaughn
Musiq Soulchild
Chrisette Michele
Ledisi
Dwele
Goapele
Bilal
Donnie
Amel Larrieux
Rapheal Saddiq
Lauryn Hill
ETC....