True Notes: Past, Present, & Future of Women in Neo-Soul [Playlist]

Inspired by Philadelphia’s Black Lily Music series, this True Notes playlist features strong, soulful female artists who represent true music, true sounds and, of course, true notes.

On Friday, December 6th, we will celebrate 20 years of Okayplayer with a special show in Philadelphia. We are teaming up with Red Bull to bring you True Notes, a special night honoring women voices in R&B.

Headlining the evening is Chicago songstress and activist Jamila Woods fresh off of her release of her critically acclaimed album LEGACY! LEGACY! Also on the bill is New York-based singer-producer Amber Mark, Philadelphia raised singer-songwriter Mereba, and DJ Jasmine Solano, who will be on the 1s and 2s.

LISTEN: Neo-Soul 2020: 11 Artists Pushing the Sound Into the New Decade

The show was inspired by the Black Lily Music series which was created in 1999 by Rich Nichols, Mercedes Martinez, and Tracey Moore. It was a weekly fixture that helped launched the careers of Jill Scott, Floetry, Jaguar Scott, and more.

LISTEN: From Donny Hathaway to Curtis Mayfield: 52 Essential Soul Songs to Listen to Before You Die [Playlist]

True Notes is slated to be an intimate, genre-bending journey. To celebrate the show, and the legacy of Black Lilly, we have a special playlist featuring legends from the past — like Jazzyfatnastees, Jaguar Wright, and Bahmadia — and acts continuing that legacy, including Ravyn Lenae, Kari Faux, Jamila Woods, and more.

Check out the playlist below. And, if you haven’t already, cop tickets to True Notes here.