MattCvijan

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='1076040' date='Jan 3 2011, 07:29 AM']Not at all. The point of my original post was that I think you're focusing on the racial dimension at the expense of a deeper understanding about the genre.[/quote] I totally agree with you that Neo Soul is about so much more than racial exclusivity etc. But for the purposes of my dissertation i am Using Neo Soul as a case study to explore the links between musical identity and racial/cultural identity in music. I could've chosen Glam Rock as an example of a genre which appears to be dominated by white artists... but i chose Neo Soul because it is an excuse for me to listen to and research music which i love, in the process of passing a university formality. Thank you all for helping me through : )

[quote name='risingson' post='1075050' date='Jan 2 2011, 10:07 AM']I think D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq, ?uestlove and alike wanted to set a bit of a new precedent within a community that was a little bogged down in the throes of modern technology. All that they did was take a type of music that had waned in popularity and turned it on its head by applying everything they loved about hip hop and modern R&B. It's probably worth talking about the fact that numerous 'Neo-soul' artists have rejected the term, arguing that their music was simply a product of working in a close-knit group of rappers and musicians for so long, and thus the insular nature of what they were doing resulted in them producing a really unique sound. What angle are you approaching this essay? Sort of a cause and affect perspective or something a little different?[/quote] Thank you for this post. In my dissertation im looking at the link between musical identity and racial/cultural identity, using Neo Soul as a case study. Neo Soul music appeals to people from all walks of life, racial groups, and cultures, yet it seems that the leading artists in this genre are almost exclusively African Americans... in my dissertation im trying to see if there are reasons for this (is it conscious or just coincidence? are there practices in place that make it difficult for non african american artists to break through in this market etc... Essentially do you have to be an African American to be considered to be an authentic neo soul artist? Could a white/non black Neo Soul artist be considered authentic, or will they be accused of just imitating? in many ways i guess Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Duffy etc etc could be considered "soul artists" yet they all got ridiculed as rip off white artists. When Joss Stone got nominated and Winehouse won a MOBO there was alot of resentment amongst the black community. I think that image in music is very interesting. another great example is the average white band... white scottsmen...defiantely soul music, yet they had a hard time breaking through the black stereotype, and being considered to be authentic. What is stopping non black artists from being considered authentic Neo Soul artists? perhaps the reason lies in marketting? is Neo Soul marketted as niche black music?? meaning that unless you look the part, you wont fit in to the market?

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='1074009' date='Dec 31 2010, 08:44 PM']I used to be in a neo soul band, we did Annie Lennox, Alicia Keys, Angie Stone and a host of other pop choonz. I don't agree at all that the genre is black-american. Using race or culture to identify this very contemporary genre complete disregards one of its great strengths - cross cultural appeal. Last Meshell Ndegeocello gig I went to was distinctive precisely because the audience was so varied and diverse from middle aged, middle class jazz fans to white student lesbians to black urban professionals. I think the boundaries are blurred but the one thing that tends to define its appeal is the sensitivity and intelligence in both the song writing and the delivery. So I'd suggest the music tends to appeal across social divides to individuals who value those qualities.[/quote] Thank you for insight Have a great New Year.

[quote name='skej21' post='1073784' date='Dec 31 2010, 03:56 PM']IMO, It's like old soul, but with one additional good bit... Pino Palladino.[/quote] A-men

Thanks guys, this is really helping. Honest opinions are exactly what im looking for. I think its difficult to put any labels on music or art, but agree that to a certain extent it is necessary. I think that many Artists, and maybe fans too, resent their art being labelled as it can in some cases ( Neo Soul as an example) just be a cold marketting tool, used to shift records. i believe that in many ways Neo Soul is more of a soul revival than a new breed of soul ( like the term Neo might imply). I feel that Neo Soul was an answer to over synthesized music that was around during the 90s etc. I believe that Artists like D'Angelo and Erykah were trying to bring back more passionate music, writing with more meaning and bringing back live instrumentation and artistic expression. Would you agree?? I feel that Neo Soul music has a strong african american identity. What do you think of the idea that, in order to be accepted as an authentic neo soul artist you have to be an african american?

Hi guys and gals, I am currently writing my dissertation around Neo Soul, and would really appreciate your views and opinions about Neo Soul music/culture. (if theres anybody to talk to about neo soul... surely it has to be my fellow bassists ) How would you define Neo Soul music? what do you like about the sound? do you think there is a neo soul culture? is there a strong neo soul identity?... is neo soul "black music"? What do you think of the idea that in order to be accepted as an authentic Neo Soul artist, you must be a black american? All comments and views welcome. Thanks a bunch. Have a great New Year!!!!!! Matt