Genre Research: Soul (Classic)

The second genre of music video I am looking into is SOUL, again like the jazz genre we like it because it is different to what students usually create. However, I will specifically be looking into more classic soul artists, rather than the modern ones like Beyonce, John Legend, and Alicia Keys. This is mainly for the point of our groups decision to be different as modern soul artists still produce songs that come under Pop, R&B and the most common genres for students to chose. 

With that said the first artist I have researched into is Marvin Gaye. Gaye was an American
singer, songwriter and record producer; he helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s starting as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a long string of hits.(His most popular classic soul song being "Sexual Healing") He had great hits with the likes of Diana Ross, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell, and Kim Weston. Over his years he earned the titles "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul". A number of his other songs include: 

"Sexual Healing" 



Aretha Louise Franklin is the next soul artist that I am researching. She is an American soul and gospel singer, songwriter and musician who began her career as a child singing gospel at the church of her father. By the end of the 1960s she had gained the title "The Queen of Soul". Over the years she's gained a very long list of songs her top two most famous being "Respect" and "I Said a Little Prayer". Aretha has an amazing voice to the extent that even before women were beginning to be seen as equals she could hold her own ground without having to have a male accompany her on her tracks. I like the style of Aretha's music videos as they're simple and just have her and some times a few back up singers, this really allows the audience to focus on the lyrics and meaning behind the song. 
"I Said a Little Prayer"


"Respect"















Some of her other major hits include the likes of:


Stevie Wonder is a classic soul artist that everyone knows. He was born in 1950 and soon became a child prodigy and is considered to be one of the most critically and commercially successful musical performers of the late 20th century. Being blind since just after birth hasn't stopped him as he was signed to Motown Tamla label at the young age of 11. Since he has gone on to win 25 Grammy Awards and has sold over 100 million records worldwide making him one of the top 60 best-selling music artists. His most popular classic soul song is "Superstition".

Some of his other popular songs include:


 One of my personal favourites has to be "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)". 


Other influential classic soul artists include the likes of:

• Ray Charles 
• Erykah Badu
• Diana Ross
• Lionel Richie 

All of which are truly amazing artists.