Many of the Soulquarians performed on one another’s records, creating a community of like-minded musicians forging a style that had yet to be named (though neo-soul came to mind at this time). Organic soul, natural R&B, boho-rap–it’s music that owes a debt to the old-school sounds of Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and George Clinton without expressly mimicking any of them. It refreshes these traditions with cinematic production techniques gleaned from hip-hop and with attitude that is street- smart but above all highly individual, celebrating quirks instead of sanding them down for mass consumption. Instead of crooning only of booty and blunts (sex, drugs, etc.), the subject matter on these albums is idiosyncratic and personal, ranging from the spiritual crises of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo and Maxwell to the socio-political concerns of the Roots and Mos Def.
The Roots feat Erykah Badu – You Got Me
Common – A Song For Assata
J Dilla – Didn’t Cha Know (Erykah Badu-Soulquarian Remix)