Music is something that nurtures the soul and can take the mind, body, and spirit to heights it has never been to before. There is music for any mood you are in to complement that feeling from happiness or joy to sadness and pain. Last time I compiled on of these lists (10 Underrated R&B/Soul Artists You Should Know About). Everyone was hittin me up chiming in on artists. There were some that people should know about that I didn’t get to highlight in the last edition so I figured why not bring it back again. So, popular demand its back! Some of these artists you may or may not know but sit back and enjoy learning about some artists you SHOULD know about.
Conya Doss
I was actually put on to Conya Doss by my readers in the first edition of this post. I went and heard a few tracks on Youtube and I was caught up into her melodic voice. I immediately went out and copped a few of her albums off of I-Tunes. Doss straight out of Cleveland has created great music since 2002 with her debut A Poem About Ms. Doss.
Conya Doss- What I’d Do
Zo!
Zo! isn’t a particularly a soul artist but he is a musical architect that plays 5 different instruments. Zo! straight out of Detroit is a producer and keyboardist who can be heard producing songs and doing instrumentation for Little Brother, Phonte, Foreign Exchange, and Eric Roberson. The collaborative 80′s remake album Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80s is something that will have any 80s baby reminiscing.
Zo! feat. Phonte- Greater Than The Sun
Van Hunt
Van Hunt is an artist that has a funk/electric vibe to him(ala Sly Stone). He burst on the seen with the his self-titled album Van Hunt which he was nominated for a Grammy. Van Hunt is an artist that you know they are being honest to themselves through their music. Songs like “Down Here in Hell” display the depth of love and relationships that many people feel but can’t convey.
Van Hunt-Down Here in Hell
Carmen Rodgers
I actually discovered Carmen Rodgers via Ping and Phonte of Little brother biggin up her new track “It’s Me”. I googled the song and it made me want to immediately check out her music. Her album The Bitter Suite takes the listener on a road of struggling through love’s precarious situations and predicaments.
Carmen Rodgers- It’s Me
Kindred Family Soul
The modern-day hip edition of Ashford and Simpson and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. They are a married couple that breathes life back into the soul concept of the duet. Kindred Family Soul displays the ups and downs of marriage but the ultimate greatness that true love brings. They busted onto the scene with the album Surrender to Love and 3 albums later they are still showing how much love means. Ashford and Simpson maybe down(RIP Nicholas Ashford) but Kindred Family Soul continues on their legacy.
Kindred Family Soul feat. Snoop Dogg- You Got Love
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah
You may remember DJ Jazzy Jeff from his work with Will Smith(as the Fresh Prince) but do you even know he has produced a lot of quality music in his own right? Jazzy Jeff went even further with the beautiful young singer Ayah and connecting with her to make an enigmatic collaborative effort in the mixtape Back For More. The music DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah are producing give the feeling of the concept that mad Groove Theory so hot. They are working on their album This Way.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ayah- Forgive Me Love
Mike Phillips
If you ever listened to the Hidden beach recordings Unwrapped you may hear Mike Phillips saxophone crooning in the background. Once again this isn’t per say a singer or soul artist but jazz can sooth the soul just as much. Mike has worked with everyone from Jill Scott to Stevie Wonder. He is one of those at the forefront of bring jazz into the 21st century. His first album You Have Reached Mike Phillips balanced classic jazz tones with hip contemporary melodies.
Mike Phillips- Wonderful and Special feat. JR
Anthony David
Anthony David started off writing for Indie Arie and then was able to parlay that into his own career. He crept on the scene with the Indie Arie duet “Words” which was nominated for a Grammy Award. David is able to write music that is many times the antithesis of male artist. David is able to speak from the male psyche of wanting to and loving the idea of being in love.
Anthony David- 4Evermore feat. Phonte and Algebra
Ledisi
Ledisi is considered by many to be a singers singer because of her powerful voice(gospelesque) that many people admirer. She didn’t gain much notoriety until her album Lost and Found where she was nominated for two Grammy awards. Ledisi is a powerful singer that doesn’t overpower you with her voice but her voice simplistically pulls you in.
Ledisi- Pieces of Me
Darien Brockington
A long time collaborator of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange. You can hear him singing the hooks on classic Little brother tracks but he is a great artist in his own right. D.BrocK as many call him is an artist who gives you a throwback feel of an updated Sam Cook with a hip hop edge. D. Brock has worked with everyone from Pete Rock to Grammy award-winning producer 9th Wonder.
Darien Brockington- “Rain”
Related articles
- Internet Killed the Radio Star (ashy2classy.net)
- Rhythmless & Blues and Fistpump Soul (verysmartbrothas.com)
- Soul Heaven (brendolynmarie.com)
- Conya Doss Will Have You Asking ‘What About You And Me?’ (soulbounce.com)
- Another 10 Underrated R&B/Soul Artists You Should Know (ashy2classy.net)
- 15 Most Underrated Hip Hop Artists of All-Time (ashy2classy.net)
Hey man! Glad these artists are getting the spotlight!
Where were you when I had these artists at the Suite Soul Spot? DBrock, AD, Carmen Rodgers…..
Loving the blog btw…
Eric Roberson, Dwele, Bilal, Yahzarah, Choklate, Big Brooklyn Red, Algebra, Rahbi, Keite Young, Saul Williams and Rahsaan Patterson are among a few others that I have brought to the Lou and are totally worth checking out if you haven’t already.
I was sleepin on your events somewhat. I knew you brought ERRO though. I hightlighted him Dwele and some others in the first post
http://ashy2classy.net/2010/09/10/10-underrated-rbsoulartists-you-should-know-about/
I remember when people had the respect to not drop an artist’s government name. Just because you met me then doesn’t mean you know me now (especially since I don’t know who is hiding behind “Leon X”). Please remove that entry asap and contact me personally if we do know each other via Facebook.
During the time most of them were extreeeeeemely underground. I’m glad that you are helping build awareness of some of the most solid art of our time. I look forward to them continuing to stop here on tour and more people coming out to witness these awesome shows. I’m not doing anymore this year but many others are picking up the mantle.
Foreign Exchange will be here next month. I believe Zo! and Sy Smith will be with them.
Van Hunt was just here.
Souls of Mischief, Lord Finesse, Fishbone, Victor Duplaix, Rich Medina all coming through in the next month.
To keep up with progressive events, hit up: http://fusicology.com/cityhome/?c=STL
Great post. If I may I’d like to submit a few more artists for consideration.
Georgia Anne Muldrow: This a woman that wears many hats. A singer, songwriter, and producer with a real unique voice. I heard about her back in ’07 and have just about everything she’s done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RBjMrRXTxI
Omar: IMO one of the last soul singers around. He’s been around for a minute and still putting out good music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaAr9BevbO8
Jose James: While some might consider him a jazz singer, he’s been pushing the boundaries of late working with producers like Flying Lotus and Taylor McFerrin (son of Bobby McFerrin). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTabkgYE-ds
That’s just a few that I could come up with.
Good look puttin me up on some game!! Im gonna peep these folks out!!
OMG I loooovvvee Georgia Anne! #dopeness and that is one of my FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME *in my Kanye voice*
LOL!
Man, nice list. Been a Van Hunt fan since that first album back in 2004 (I think). I’m becoming a Darien Brockington fan from Little Brother as well. Foreign Exchange will be here on the 14th. Definitely hitting that up! Diggin’ the blog D…Keep doing what you do
Interesting post! You know I’m not a big) head unless I’m trying to set the mood but you gave me some folks I need to incorporate into my repitorie
love this post! I must step my music game up. I’m always looking for new artists and sounds. Love music!
Had to read your 1st list before reading this 1…I’m surprised you would include Marsha Ambrosius and Donell Jones as underrated…I don’t label DJ as underrated, I think his fault is poor mgmt and mktg
I dig this list though! I’d add on Mayer Hawthorne and Jesse Boykins…Brandon Hines is kinda dope too, although since signing to Jermaine Dupri, he hasn’t released anything new
Thanks a lot for taking the time to bring awareness to these artists, do you know or like any rnb or hip hop artists from Europ, Africa or Asia that know to serve music the right way in our ears?
There are some that come to mind. Omar, who I mentioned above, is from the UK. Michael Kiwanuka is a guy I recently got hip to. I’d also recommend 4hero, Jazzanova, and Electric Wire Hustle.
HELLOOOO YOUUU!! I actually came across your blog through “Bonita-Keme” I loved the way you came across grounded and humbled so I had to check out your blog…glad I did! You have amazing content and I just keep on reading post after post after post!
It really is sad that there are soo many underrated artists out there but unfortunately music is nothing more than just making $$$ for those music companies. I remember back in the hay days when music was quality, food for the mind – DE LA SOUL, ERYKAH BADU, MARVIN GAYE, NINA SIMONE, A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, JILL SCOTT, TALIB KWELI, DEAD PREZ, BLACK MILK, SWV, BABY FACE…AH the list could easily go on. Everything these days is just, expected – rip ya clothes off, degrade women, the flash cars and gettin’ high…*sigh* we need more artists like the ones mentioned above but we also need more people like you giving them the shout out and recognition they deserve – nice post – sorry about the essay, its a topic that’s close to me. Oh and congrats on winning the 2011 “best culture” blog awards : ) Following you on your fan page and when you can, check out my blog too – hope you’ll like it : D
http://cultfriday.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the tips on these artists. You also should include these 5 1) Frank McCoomb, an amazing keyboard player and singer who channels Donny Hathaway, 2) Angela Johnson- another amazing singer who writes and produces all her own material. She has 4 albums.All her dope but my favorite is her latest It”sPersonal. 3)Tre Williams and the Revelations-real soul,masculine vocals 4)Lady Alma-great singer from Philadelphia, can sing anything 5)Avery Sunshine-she plays and sings and just the best performer out there including Ledisi
love anthony david. but he was around before “words”… that is one beautiful song though. and he’s hilarious too.
nice blog. i’ll be back.
I LOVE Conya Doss, yes she is definitely under-rated! I believe I found her through your blog (social networking at it’s best!). I am in Love with Anthony David’s voice! I love the love that Kindred share for each other and I think Ms Ledisi is finally getting some over due shine!
I must check out the others that you mentioned!
Thanks for bringing us the real!!
Peace & Love!
Regina
This is a great post, sir! Not kissing up or anything like that. However, most of these artists are the ones that I listen to on the regular.
Note: you ever notice that the majority of these artists are independent/independent minded?
I’m just saying.
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