soul music: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

They are closely related but not identical. Soul music is a specific genre that emerged from R&B and gospel in the late 1950s/60s, often with a greater emphasis on raw vocal emotion and rhythmic drive. Modern R&B has evolved into a broader category that incorporates soul, hip-hop, and pop elements.

Motown is a specific record label (and its distinctive sound) from Detroit. It is a major subset of soul music, known for its polished, pop-friendly production. Other soul scenes, like Stax in Memphis, had a grittier, less polished sound. So, all Motown is soul, but not all soul is Motown.

Yes. While soul music is deeply rooted in African-American culture, the genre has been performed by artists of all backgrounds. The key is the authentic embodiment of the genre's emotional and musical characteristics (e.g., The Righteous Brothers, Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker). The cultural origins and primary innovators are, however, African-American.

No. Neo-soul is a revivalist genre that emerged in the 1990s and 2000s. It incorporates the vocal style and organic instrumentation of 1970s soul but blends it with contemporary influences from hip-hop, jazz, and neo-soul. It is a conscious homage and evolution, not the original article.

A style of popular music that originated in the African-American community in the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s, combining elements of rhythm and blues, gospel music, and jazz, characterized by its emphasis on vocal passion, emotive delivery, and rhythmic intensity.

Soul music is usually informal to neutral in register.

Soul music: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsəʊl ˌmjuːzɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsoʊl ˌmjuːzɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.