Neo-soul is a family of contemporary R&B and soul genres that emerged in the 1990s, blending the timeless warmth of classic soul with influences from jazz, funk, hip hop, and alternative music. Defined by expressive vocals, rich harmonies, organic instrumentation, and a strong emphasis on groove and musicianship, neo-soul offered a more experimental and introspective evolution of traditional R&B. The movement was heavily shaped by the influential Soulquarians collective, whose members, including Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Common, and Questlove helped define the genre’s experimental, soulful, and genre-blending approach. Today, neo-soul continues to evolve through artists like Jordan Rakei, Tom Misch, Cleo Sol, and Smino, who merge soul traditions with jazz, hip hop, electronic production, and alternative R&B.