Soul

Originated in African American communities in the United States during the late 1950s and 1960s. Soul music combines elements of gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz, with a focus on powerful and emotive vocals, melodic hooks, and a deep sense of feeling and expression. Soul music emerged as a response to social and cultural changes, serving as a form of self-expression and empowerment for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. It often addresses themes of love, pain, resilience, and social justice. Soul music has produced iconic artists like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, and Stevie Wonder, leaving a lasting impact on popular music and influencing subsequent genres such as funk, disco, and contemporary R&B.