From D’Angelo To Erykah Badu: The Pioneers Who Made Neo-Soul Timeless

Soul music was never lost, but by the 1990s, some believed it needed a revival. The rise of Hip Hop-infused R&B and radio-ready pop left a gap for something more profound—a space soon filled by a new generation of artists creating more than simple records. They restored the essence of Soul with live instrumentation, introspective songwriting, and a bold embrace of Black traditions in music. This movement, later known as Neo-Soul, was a rebirth.

Though the term “Neo-Soul” would later be popularized by Motown executive Kedar Massenburg, its pioneers had already begun reshaping R&B long before the title existed. D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar (1995) set the tone with its combination of gospel harmonies, funk rhythms, and stripped-down vulnerability. Erykah Badu’s Baduizm (1997) introduced a jazz-inflected, Afrocentric aesthetic, making her the genre’s first true matriarch. Fresh off her success with The Fugees, Lauryn Hill created The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), an album that fused Soul, Hip Hop, and confessional songwriting. Meanwhile, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Chico DeBarge, and Eric Benét each brought their own unique perspective to the genre, further expanding its range and influence.

Neo-Soul was never meant to be a passing trend. These artists weren’t chasing radio hits or industry validation but building a movement centered on honesty, musicianship, and depth. Decades later, their influence can still be heard in the music of artists like Jazmine Sullivan, H.E.R., and Lucky Daye—proof that the Soul they helped restore to R&B has never faded.

Before Neo-Soul had a name, Angie Stone was already living it. Her roots ran deep—first as a pioneering female MC with The Sequence in the early days of Hip Hop, then as an R&B songwriter and vocalist, long before she became a household name. She wasn't following a movement when she released Black Diamond in 1999. Stone proved she had always been part of its DNA.

Further, Stone’s voice carried history. It had the warmth of Classic Soul, the grit of Gospel, and the emotional weight of someone who had lived every lyric she sang. “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” sampled Gladys Knight but felt wholly her own, a slow-burning anthem of strength. “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” turned heartbreak into an infectious groove that remains a staple in R&B playlists decades later.

However, Angie Stone’s impact wasn’t just about hits. She was a bridge between generations, bringing the essence of ‘70s and ‘80s Soul into a new era while making it feel fresh, never forced. Her influence extended beyond her own catalog—mentoring younger artists, collaborating with legends, and keeping Soul music grounded in its roots.

From the moment Baduizm dropped in 1997, Erykah Badu was shifting culture. With her signature headwraps, incense-drenched aesthetic, and Jazzy vocals, she brought an otherworldly presence to R&B. Yet, her impact wasn’t just about image. Badu’s music was spiritual, powerfully introspective, and unapologetically rooted in Black womanhood. It helped make her one of the most defining voices of Neo-Soul.

Her debut single, “On & On,” introduced listeners to a sound unlike anything else at the time—hazy and hypnotic. Badu’s voice floated over warm basslines and stripped-down production. Tracks like “Next Lifetime” and “Otherside of the Game” arrived with a level of universally relatable storytelling. Then came Mama’s Gun (2000), an album that further pushed her artistry. More bare, experimental, and vulnerable, it showed Badu at her most unfiltered. 

Moreover, Badu didn’t just influence Neo-Soul—she embodied it. She gave the genre its mysticism, edge, and brazen individuality. Decades later, her fingerprints are all over the music industry, from artists like Ari Lennox and Janelle Monáe to the entire Alternative R&B movement that followed. Neo-Soul wouldn’t be what it is without her.

If D’Angelo gave Neo-Soul its grit and Lauryn Hill its poetry, Maxwell gave it its elegance. From the moment Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite arrived in 1996, it was clear he was offering timeless, sensual, and sophisticated music. He wasn’t interested in chasing radio trends. Instead, he leaned into lush, Jazz-influenced arrangements, composing an album that played like a modern-day classic. Songs like “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” and “Whenever Wherever Whatever” dripped with romance, while “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” carried a Funk-driven groove that nodded to icons like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield.

Then came Embrya (1998), a more experimental project that solidified Maxwell as an artist willing to take risks. However, it was 2001’s Now that brought one of his most defining moments—“This Woman’s Work,” a cover of the Kate Bush classic that he transformed into a stirring masterpiece. Further, Maxwell’s presence in Neo-Soul was distinct. His falsetto became one of the genre’s most recognizable sounds, influencing generations of vocalists from Miguel to The Weeknd. The icon remains a gold standard for artists who chase their own sound all without losing their cool.

Lauryn Hill always transcended genres. With The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), she contributed to Neo-Soul and also expanded its boundaries, confirming that Hip Hop and Soul could coexist in a way that felt both poetic and revolutionary. Hill’s foundation was already strong. As a member of The Fugees, she had gained recognition for her ability to switch between rapping and singing seamlessly, commanding tracks like “Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly” with charisma. Yet, when she stepped out independently, her artistry reached new heights. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was intimate yet universal, weaving together love, self-discovery, and social commentary with a depth rarely seen in mainstream R&B.

Songs like “Ex-Factor” and “Nothing Even Matters” exemplified the warmth and vulnerability of Classic Soul, while “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Lost Ones” highlighted her razor-sharp lyricism and Hip Hop roots. The album was a statement, evidence of the power of music as both personal expression and cultural reflection. Additionally, Lauryn Hill’s influence stretches far beyond her discography. She redefined being a woman artist in a male-dominated industry, verifying that success didn’t require compromise. Even with only one solo studio album, her impact on Neo-Soul and Contemporary R&B is undeniable. More than 20 years later, her voice—both figuratively and literally—still resonates.

D’Angelo was the one who pen behind the blueprint of New-Soul. When Brown Sugar arrived in 1995, it introduced a new artist and set the foundation for an entire movement. His sound was steeped in the past, pulling from the Gospel-infused Soul of Marvin Gaye, the Funk of Prince, and the cool of Al Green. Although, what made it revolutionary was how he filtered those influences through a modern lens, building something that felt both nostalgic and groundbreaking.

With Brown Sugar, D’Angelo redefined male R&B, stripping away the polished, New Jack Swing aesthetics of the early '90s in favor of something more organic. The album’s title track was smooth yet unrefined, its bassline grooving beneath the singer’s slurred, honey-drenched vocals. Songs like “Lady” and “Cruisin’” offered his crossover appeal, but it was the haunting vulnerability of “Higher” and “When We Get By” that suggested his artistry ran deeper than radio hits.

Later came Voodoo (2000), an album that tore down every convention of what R&B could be. Voodoo was built on groove, improvisation, and layers of instrumentation that felt almost hypnotic. The project gave us “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” an instant classic demonstrating his mastery of mood and sensuality. His music inspired a wave of artists to prioritize authenticity over industry expectations. Even with years between releases, his influence remains unmatched.

Jill Scott did more than gift the world with her singing voice—she spoke, preached, and painted vivid pictures with her words. When Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 docked in 2000, it introduced a fresh perspective to Neo-Soul: one that was warm, conversational, and rooted in poetry.

Scott’s music felt personal as if she were inviting listeners into her living room for an intimate chat. Her breakout single “A Long Walk” was a love song experience, while songs like “The Way” and “He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)” harmonized Jazz, Gospel, and Soul in a way that felt modern and timeless. Moreover, what set Scott apart was her soundness. She could be sensual and soft one moment, then fierce and commanding the next. Whether celebrating love, navigating heartbreak, or embracing self-worth, her lyrics reverberated on a profoundly human level.

Beyond her music, Scott’s mark on Neo-Soul extended to the artists she influenced. Her spoken-word delivery and storytelling approach paved the way for singers who came after her, establishing that soulful music could be as much about the words as the melodies. 

Neo-Soul was about honesty and artistry, with few artists embodying that unfiltered truth like Chico DeBarge. While his last name carried weight in R&B circles—thanks to his family’s Motown-era success—his path was far from glamorous. After serving time in prison, Chico returned with music and a story to tell. His 1997 album Long Time No See reintroduced him, making him a key player in the Neo-Soul movement.

There was pain in his voice, but there was also fervor. Tracks like “Iggin’ Me” and “Love Still Good” carried a streetwise smoothness, incorporating traditional R&B with Hip Hop sensibilities. “No Guarantee,” featuring R&B icon Joe, was a hit on the charts, with the duet becoming a staple single of its time. Though DeBarge may not be mentioned in the same breath as some of the genre’s biggest names, he helped define the sound in his own way. He showed that Neo-Soul wasn’t just about nostalgia but about telling real stories, even when they weren’t pretty.