• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Celebrity

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now

Sam Smith's "Stay with Me" is currently heating up our summer playlist. With nods from the likes of Mary J. Blige, the English crooner, who reminds us of a young George Michael, is a reminder that music has no color. Sure, we love old-school blue-eyed soul singers like Bobby Caldwell, Boz Scaggs and the legendary Teena Marie. But right now we're taking a moment to look celebrate the newer crop of blue-eyed soul currently moving our hearts, and tushes.
By ESSENCE Editors · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Sam Smith

You may not know Sam Smith just yet, but chances are you’ve heard his second single, “Stay with Me” (remixed here with Mary J. Blige) on your local R&B station and wondered, “Who is that?!” With his commanding range and signature falsetto, the 22-year-old singer seems to poised to become heir apparent to Amy Winehouse’s blue-eyed British soul.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Getty
02
Daley

A relative newbie, this British soul singer already has our hearts, thanks to his duet with Marsha Ambrosius and subsequent album. Even Maxwell is a fan. Don’t believe us? Wath his recent performance at the Essence Festival.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
03
Robin Thicke
Robin Thicke
Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Getty Images
04
Adele
Adele
Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Getty Images
05
Justin Timberlake

Raised in the Baptist church in Tennessee, JT is a certified soul man whose music has earned him tremendous love in the Black community (except that Janet Jackson incident, but we’ll leave that alone). At the end of the day, this Southern boy’s got talent.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
06
Alice Russell

This British powerhouse’s brand of soul music is edgy, emotional and powerful. Watch this performance shot at ESSENCE and you’ll see why she’s certified soul.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Alice Russell/ Facebook
07
Mayer Hawthorne

Remember the first time you heard Robin Thicke’s ‘Lost Without You,’ and said no way is that man not Black? Well, Mayer Hawthorne gets the same reaction. With vocals to make you swoon, he has an unbelievably soulful sound that comes from his gut and isn’t contrived. Raised in Michigan, Andrew Mayer Cohen grew up listening to soul music of Detroit. Check out his first single “Just Ain’t Work Out.”

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
NBC
08
Jessie Ware

The English pop-soul singer’s sensuous sound is inspired by the likes of Sade, J. Dilla and Whitney Houston. Her breakout single, “Wildest Moments,” has been applauded for it’s modern take on soul.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Getty
09
Francis and the Lights

This elusive crooner is known for his minimalist brand of soul. His latest single “Etc” is perfect for a mellow summer soundtrack.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Francis and the Lights/ Facebook
10
Allen Stone

Nevermind his non-R&B star looks, just listen to Allen Stone sing this song from his momma’s living room (really) and become a believer.

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Allen Stone/ Facebook
11
Hiatus Kaiyote

This Aussie future soul band counts J.Dilla and D’Angelo among their influences and already boasts co-signs from the likes of Q-Tip and The Roots’ Questlove. Listen as Q-Tip makes a guest appearance on their single “Nakamarra.”

Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We Love Right Now
Hiatus Kaiyote
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now