Prince Damons

You don’t have to watch BET or turn a radio dial to know some of today’s popular soul and R&B artists. After all, who hasn’t heard of names like Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Anthony Hamilton? These artists have essentially become superstars, many of them seemingly on their way to becoming legends.

For most people, it is much easier to categorize music in one genre or another. After all, it just makes things navigable and simple to classify. Several artists speak out against categorization, but it is often the best way to keep up with the trends. Neo Soul (aka nu soul) is a great way to describe one of the most recent musical sensations.

Every music lover has a handful of albums that fall into the “must-have” category. Hardcore rap fans may name classics such as N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton, while those who prefer the lyrical wizardry of hip hop might say It Was Written by Nas. For those who enjoy artists that burst the conventional bubble and recapture the old school sounds Rhythm and Blues, these are neo soul albums you can’t be without.