Neo-Soul Music Stars

D'Angelo
Birthname: Michael Eugene Archer
Origin: Richmond, Virginia
Association(s): Angie Stone (Not only is the neo-soul diva the mother of his oldest son, she also was his chief writing collaborator on his breakthrough debut opus, 'Brown Sugar.')
Notable Tracks: 'Brown Sugar,' 'Lady,' 'Cruisin,' 'Untitled (How Does It Feel?),' and 'Devil's Pie.'
Factoid: As a young songwriter, one of the first major projects he conceived was the song 'U Will Know,' performed by Black Men United a collective of urban music superstars of the time including Tevin Campbell, Keith Sweat, Al B Sure, Boyz II Men, Aaron Hall, LL Cool J and Usher, among others which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 movie 'Jason's Lyric.'


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Jill Scott
Birthname: Jill Scott
Origin: North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Association(s): The Roots (She co-wrote and performed on their song 'You Got Me')
Notable Tracks: 'A Long Walk,' 'He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat),' 'Golden,' and 'Hate On Me.' NBA legend Michael Jordan helped finance Hidden Beach Recordings, who released her debut opus, 'Words & Thoughts: Vol. 1'
Factoid: The three-time Grammy Award winner's first theatrical film role was as music pioneer Big Mama Thornton in the controversial film, 'Hounddog.'


Retna

Amel Larrieux
Birthname: Amel Larrieux
Origin: New York City, New York
Association(s): Groove Theory, Sweetback, The Roots
Notable Tracks: 'Tell Me,' 'Keep Tryin',' 'Baby Luv,' 'For Real,' 'Get Up'
Factoid: In the past Larrieux received a Grammy nomination alongside Glen Lewis in the Best R&B Performance category for their cover of Stanley Clarke's 'Where is the Love.'


Maxwell
Birthname: Maxwell Gerard Menard Rivera
Origin: Brooklyn, New York
Association(s): Leon Ware (The legendary Motown Records songwriter worked on Maxwell's debut album, 'Urban Hang Suite.')
Notable Tracks: 'Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder),' 'Fortunate,' 'Lifetime' and 'This Woman's Work.'
Factoid: Though a media darling, Maxwell has never won a Grammy Award despite being nominated five times for the coveted honor.


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Amy Winehouse
Birthname: Amy Jade Winehouse
Origin: Enfield, Middlesex, England
Association(s): Salam Remi (The acclaimed producer of The Fugees and Nas joined Mark Ronson to produce Winehouse's critically-acclaimed sophomore opus, 'Back to Black.')
Notable Tracks: 'Valerie,' 'You Know I'm No Good,' 'Rehab,' and 'Love is a Losing Game.'
Factoid: Once signed to a deal, Winehouse hired New York soul singer Sharon Jones's longtime band, the Dap-Kings, to back her up in the studio and on tour, giving the group its first real taste of the limelight.


Universal

Raheem DeVaughn
Birthname: Raheem DeVaughn
Origin: Beltsville ,Maryland
Association(s): DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Burns (former Roc-A-Fella Records A&R)
Notable Tracks: 'Guess Who Loves You More,' 'You,' 'Woman,' 'Customer,' 'Marathon'
Factoid: Early on in his career the Grammy-award nominee toured with legendary entertainer Doug E. Fresh, in which he learned the art of being a stage performer.


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Angie Stone
Birthname: Angela Laverne Brown
Origin: Columbia, South Carolina
Association(s): The Sequence (She was a member of the very first female rap group to hit the charts.) Vertical Hold (She was the female vocalist for the 90s R&B trio.) Lenny Kravitz (She sang background on his album, '5.')
Notable Tracks: 'No More Rain (In This Cloud),' 'Everyday,' 'Brotha,' 'I Wanna Thank Ya' and 'Baby' (with Betty Wright).
Factoid: Angie Stone made her film debut in the movie 'The Fighting Temptations' and also starred in the Broadway musical, 'Chicago.'


J Records

Robin Thicke
Birthname: Robin Charles Thicke
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Association(s): Andre Harrell, Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne
Notable Tracks: 'Wanna Love U Girl,' 'Shooter,' 'Lost Without U,' 'Can U Believe'
Factoid: Three songs from Thicke's sophomore album, 'The Evolution of Robin Thicke' have appeared on the daytime soap opera 'General Hospital.' Including 'Angels,' 'Shooter,' and 'Lost Without U.'


Retna

Anthony Hamilton
Birthname: Anthony Hamilton
Origin: Charlotte, North Carolina
Association(s): Andre Harrell (The Uptown Records czar signed him to his first deal in 1993.)
Notable Tracks: 'Comin' From Where I'm From,' 'Charlene,' 'Sista Big Bones,' 'Do You Feel Me.'
Factoid: Hamilton made his feature film debut with a cameo as a soul singer in the Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe film, 'American Gangster,' to which he also contributes music to the film's soundtrack.


Rhino

India.Arie
Birthname: India Arie Simpson
Origin: Denver, Colorado
Association(s): Stevie Wonder (She collaborated with the Motown music legend on a Grammy nominated version of "The Christmas Song' for a Target commercial.) John Cougar Mellencamp (She joined the rocker on his 2001 album, 'Cutting Heads' for the track 'Peaceful World.') Cassandra Wilson (India.Arie dueted with the premier jazz vocalist on the song 'Another Parade' from the masterful 2002 opus, 'Belly of the Sun.')
Notable Tracks: 'Video,' 'Brown Skin,' 'Strength, Courage and Wisdom,' 'Ready For Love,' and 'I Am Not My Hair.'
Factoid: India.Arie penned and performed the theme song for the second season of the Emmy Award winning talk-show, 'The Tyra Banks Show.'


Motown