Hip hop soul

Last updated

Hip hop soul is a subgenre of contemporary R&B music, most popular during the early and mid 1990s, [1] which fuses R&B or soul singing with hip hop musical production. [1] The subgenre had evolved from a previous R&B subgenre, new jack swing, [2] which had incorporated hip-hop influences into R&B music. [2] By contrast, hip hop soul is, as described in The Encyclopedia of African American Music, "quite literally soul singing over hip hop grooves". [1]

Contents

The genre was most popular during the mid and late 1990s [1] with artists such as Mary J. Blige (known as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul"), Jodeci, Faith Evans, TLC, and R. Kelly. [2] By the late 1990s, hip hop soul would lead to the creation of neo soul, [1] [2] which retained the hip hop and R&B influences while also adding elements of classic 1970s soul music. [1]

Description

Hip hop soul evolved directly from new jack swing, a form of contemporary R&B popularized by artists and producers such as Teddy Riley and his group Guy, Keith Sweat, and Bobby Brown. [1] [3] New jack swing had incorporated elements of hip-hop music—primarily hip-hop-inspired drum tracks and rapped verses [1] —into contemporary R&B music also heavily inspired by the work of Prince. [3] Hip hop soul shifted from new jack swing's reliance on synth-heavy production and took the hip-hop/R&B synthesis further by having R&B singers sing directly over the types of sample-heavy backing tracks typically found in contemporary hip-hop recordings like boom bap. [1] [3]

The creation and evolution of hip hop soul led to an increasingly symbiotic relationship between its parent genres. [4] [5] Hip hop soul acts presented themselves in styles and personas comparable to those of rappers [3] [6] —dressing in hip hop fashions and adopting a tougher image than the traditional pop-friendly personas of R&B artists [3] [6] (the existence and popularity of hip hop soul also had the opposite effect on mainstream rappers, who took on some of the elements of the R&B artists' personas to become more palatable to mainstream audiences). [5] The subgenre increased the popularity of R&B music among the younger hip-hop audience, leading to better sales and airplay success for hip hop soul recordings versus previous forms of post-disco R&B, on the Billboard pop music sales charts. [7] It also increased the popularity of hip-hop music and culture with older audiences and corporations looking to market urban music. [8] However, the creation of hip hop soul has been argued by music journalists and fans of R&B music to have "killed off" traditional styles of R&B. [5]

History

R&B singer Mary J. Blige is known as the "queen of hip hop soul" due to her frequent collaborations with rappers and hip hop producers. Mary J. Blige 2.jpg
R&B singer Mary J. Blige is known as the "queen of hip hop soul" due to her frequent collaborations with rappers and hip hop producers.

The term "hip hop soul" is attributed to record producer and later rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs, [8] who came up with the term during the promotion of What's the 411? , the 1992 debut album of Uptown Records artist Mary J. Blige. [8] Blige was promoted by the company as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul", and her debut album, primarily produced by Combs, was filled with mid-tempo R&B ballads sung over hip-hop beats and samples. [8] Similarly, Diary of a Mad Band (1993), the second album from another Uptown act, Jodeci, featured the four-man male vocal group moving away from its new jack swing origins into hip hop soul recordings driven more by hip-hop rhythms than melodies. [3] A large number of male acts, both solo performers and groups, followed or competed with Jodeci, among them R. Kelly, 112, Tony! Toni! Toné! [7] and Blackstreet, a second group formed by Teddy Riley. [3]

Hip hop soul artist Montell Jordan was the first R&B singer signed to hip-hop record label Def Jam Recordings; [6] his 1995 single "This Is How We Do It", built around a sample of Slick Rick's 1989 hip-hop song "Children's Story", [4] typified the sound of the subgenre. Another key recording is "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By", a 1995 duet between Wu-Tang rapper Method Man and Mary J. Blige which interpolated Method Man's rapped verses with Blige singing a cover of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "You're All I Need to Get By". [11] "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need to Get By" won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. [3]

The female vocal group TLC, consisting of two singers and a rapper, had their start in new jack swing (dubbed "new jill swing" in their case) [3] with their debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). Their second album, CrazySexyCool , to which Puffy Combs was a significant contributor, moved the group into the aesthetic of hip hop soul. [3] [6] Similar female acts of the time included SWV, Adina Howard, [6] Faith Evans, and Total, the latter two acts signed to Puffy Combs' own label, Bad Boy Entertainment. [3]

Hip hop soul as a distinct subgenre experienced a lull in popularity with the spread of hip-hop influences into more standard R&B music by the end of the 1990s [12] and the emergence of neo soul, an R&B subgenre which blended hip-hop and contemporary R&B with heavier influences from the soul music of the 1960s and 1970s. [1] Examples of neo soul artists include Tony! Toni! Toné!, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill. [3] Several newer artists continued to perform in the hip hop soul subgenre in its original form from the 2000s forward, among them John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, and Keyshia Cole. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Whats the 411?</i> 1992 studio album by Mary J. Blige

What's the 411? is the debut album by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was released on July 28, 1992, by Uptown Records and MCA Records. After signing a record contract with Uptown, Blige began working on the album with producer Sean "Puffy" Combs. Other producers and songwriters included DeVante Swing, Tony Dofat, Dave Hall, Mark Morales and Mark "Cory" Rooney. The resulting music covered hip hop soul, contemporary R&B, and new jack swing styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jodeci</span> American R&B Band

Jodeci is an American R&B quartet consisting of members DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo. Formed in 1988 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jodeci began as a duo of DeVanté Swing and JoJo but later each added their brothers. After signing with Uptown Records in 1990, the group finished work on their debut album, Forever My Lady (1991), which brought them mainstream success with three straight Billboard R&B No. 1 hit singles: the album's titular track, "Stay" and "Come and Talk to Me".

<i>CrazySexyCool</i> 1994 studio album by TLC

CrazySexyCool is the second studio album by American girl group TLC, released on November 15, 1994, by LaFace and Arista Records. Following the group's record deal, they released their debut album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip in 1992 to positive reviews and commercial success. The group began working on a follow-up in 1993 but experienced an unproductive recording process due to personal issues, notably those of member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who was struggling with alcoholism and her volatile relationship with football player Andre Rison. The album's recording lasted until September 1994, with Lopes' role diminished while she was in rehab.

Uptown Records is an American record label, based in New York City, founded in 1986 by old school rapper ‘Dr Jekyll’ - Andre Harrell. From the late 1980s into the early 1990s, it was a leader in New Jack Swing, R&B, hip hop., and Hip Hop-Soul

Contemporary R&B is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Harrell</span> American rapper and music executive (1960–2020)

Andre O’Neal Harrell was an American record executive, media proprietor, and former rapper. He formed the short-lived East Coast hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde with Alonzo Brown in 1980; they signed with Profile Records the following year. After disbanding in 1986, he founded the record label Uptown Records that same year, which saw commercial success in contemporary R&B, new jack swing, and hip hop music releases into the coming decade. The label entered a distribution deal with MCA Records and signed artists including Jodeci, Heavy D & the Boyz, Mary J. Blige, Guy, and Al B. Sure, as well as then-unknowns the Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy, among others. He is credited with discovering and giving the latter his start in the industry in 1990. Harrell was later appointed as CEO of Motown from 1995 to 1997.

<i>My Life</i> (Mary J. Blige album) 1994 studio album by Mary J. Blige

My Life is the second album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige, released on November 29, 1994, by Uptown Records and MCA Records. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's battling with both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship. Unlike her debut, What's the 411? (1992), Blige contributed lyrics to fourteen of the album's tracks, making it her most introspective and personal album at the time. Similar to her debut album, My Life features extensive production from Sean "Puffy" Combs for his newly founded label, Bad Boy Entertainment, which was at the time backed by Arista Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Jane (All Night Long)</span> 1995 single by Mary J. Blige

"Mary Jane (All Night Long)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Chucky Thompson and Sean "Puffy" Combs for her second studio album, My Life (1994), while production was helmed by Combs and Thompson. The song is built around a sample of “All Night Long” (1983) by American girl group Mary Jane Girls and "Close the Door" (1978) by American singer Teddy Pendergrass. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Rick James is also credited as songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By</span> 1995 single by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige

"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" is a duet song by American rapper Method Man, featuring American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. The song is a remix of Method Man's "All I Need", which appears on his debut studio album Tical (1994). The song, a hip hop soul record, was released as a single by Def Jam Recordings and PolyGram Records on April 25, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lately (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1981 single by Stevie Wonder

"Lately" is a song by American singer, songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). The song was released in 1981 by Tamla, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was later covered by American R&B group Jodeci and released as a promotional single for the live album Uptown MTV Unplugged in June 1993, which reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and the top-5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come and Talk to Me</span> 1992 single by Jodeci

"Come and Talk to Me" is a song by American R&B group Jodeci from their debut album Forever My Lady (1991). The song was the fourth single released in promotion for the album in March 1992. As the third number one R&B hit for Jodeci, "Come and Talk to Me" spent two weeks at the number 1 spot on the R&B chart for and peaked at 11 on the Hot 100. The song also topped the R&B year-end chart for 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Shot Ya?</span> 1995 song by the Notorious B.I.G.

"Who Shot Ya?" is a song by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., backed by Sean Combs. Bad Boy Entertainment released it on February 21, 1995, on an alternate reissue of Wallace's single "Big Poppa/Warning". Its new B-side "Who Shot Ya", a revision of a track already issued earlier in 1995, was "controversial and hugely influential." Widely interpreted as a taunt at Tupac Shakur, the single provoked a "rap battle" between the two rappers, formerly friends.

<i>Love Always</i> 1997 studio album by K-Ci & JoJo

Love Always is the debut album of American R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 17, 1997, by MCA Records. It was recorded at various studios in New York and the Los Angeles area in 1996 and 1997. It was produced by JoJo and several others, including DeVante Swing, Jon-John Robinson, James Mtume, and Jeff Redd. The duo were originally a part of Jodeci before this album.

Jeff Redd is an American singer and record producer who performed new jack swing-style R&B music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

<i>Whats the 411? Remix</i> 1993 remix album by Mary J. Blige

What's the 411? Remix is a remix album by R&B singer Mary J. Blige, released on December 7, 1993, by Uptown Records and MCA Records. It is composed of remixed tracks from Blige's critically acclaimed debut album, and involved record producers and recording artists including Sean "Puffy" Combs, Teddy Riley, Eddie "F" Ferrell, Craig Mack, Heavy D, the Notorious B.I.G., and K-Ci Hailey. The album received favorable reviews, and debuted at number 118 on the Billboard 200, and number 22 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<i>Whos the Man?</i> (soundtrack) 1993 soundtrack album by various artists

The Who's the Man? Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 1993 film Who's the Man?. The album was released in 1993 on Uptown/MCA Records. The soundtrack peaked at 32 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reminisce (song)</span> 1992 single by Mary J. Blige

"Reminisce" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mary J. Blige from her debut album, What's the 411? (1992). It was co-written by Kenny Greene and Dave "Jam" Hall, who also produced it. Described as a new jack swing song inspired by 1970s soul music, it contains a sample of "Stop, Look, Listen" (1989) by American rapper MC Lyte. The single was released in October 1992 by Uptown and MCA, peaking at number fifty-seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A more uptempo and hip hop-inspired remix of the song, featuring duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, later appeared on Blige's 1993 remix album of the same name. The accompanying music video for "Reminisce" was directed by Marcus Raboy.

<i>Fathers Day</i> (Father MC album) 1990 studio album by Father MC

Father's Day is the debut studio album by American rapper Father MC. It released in October 1990 through Uptown/MCA Records. The album was produced by Cory Rooney, Prince Markie Dee, Fresh Gordon, and Howie Tee, with Andre Harrell and Sean "Puffy" Combs serving as executive producers. It features guest appearance from Lady Kazan and contributions from K-Ci & JoJo, Cory Rooney, Dave Hollister, and Mary J. Blige.

Misa Hylton is an American stylist and fashion designer. Known as a pioneer in the fashion industry, she has styled many hip-hop and R&B artists since the 1990s, most notably Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige. Hylton's style, referred to as "hip-hop glamorous," has been credited with influencing fashion trends in popular culture. Hylton is a global creative partner for MCM and was the centerpiece of the 2019 documentary The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Price, Emmett G. III; Kernodle, Tammy L.; Maxille, Horace J. Jr., eds. (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Music. ABC-CLIO. pp. 115, 902–903. ISBN   978-0313341991 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Donaldson, Melvin Burke (2007). Hip Hop in American Cinema. Peter Lang. pp. 52–53. ISBN   978-082046345-2 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gardner, Elysa (1999). "Hip-Hop Soul". In Light, Alan (ed.). The Vibe History of Hip-Hop (1st ed.). Three Rivers Press. pp. 307–317.
  4. 1 2 Baker, Ernest; Lechner, Alysa; Drake, David; Ahmed, Insanul; Spencer, Tannis (March 19, 2013). "The 50 Best R&B Songs That Flipped Rap Beats". Complex . Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Van Nguyen, Dean (November 13, 2011). "The R&B Renaissance". PopMatters . Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Reynolds, J.R. (June 3, 1995). "Is Hip-Hop's Growing Dominance of R&B an Evolutionary Step, or Is It Displacing Traditional Soul Music Altogether?". Billboard . Vol. 107, no. 22. p. 2. ISSN   0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  7. 1 2 Owen, Frank (December 1993 – January 1994). "The Year in R&B: Quiet Storm". Vibe . pp. 70–73. ISSN   1070-4701 . Retrieved July 23, 2014– via Google Books.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Stout, Steve (September 17, 2001). "Share My World". Billboard. Vol. 123, no. 37. pp. 8–9. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved January 17, 2020– via Google Books.
  9. ↑ Reeves, Marcus (2009). Somebody Scream!: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power. Macmillan. pp. 143, 185. ISBN   978-0-86547-997-5.
  10. ↑ Bynoe, Yvonne (2006). Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip-Hop Culture. Greenwood Press. p. 32. ISBN   978-0-313-33058-2. Universally known as the 'Queen of Hip Hop Soul' because of her frequent collaborations with rap artists and Hip Hop producers...
  11. ↑ Neal, Mark Anthony (2013). What the Music Said: Black Popular Music and Black Public Culture. Routledge. p. 156. ISBN   9781135204624 – via Google Books.
  12. ↑ Kenon, Marci (June 3, 2000). "Hip Hop: It's Here to Stay, OK?". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 23. p. 42. ISSN   0006-2510 – via Google Books.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.