Which of These White Soul Singers Will Succeed Bobby Caldwell and Steal Black America’s Hearts

Adele, Joss Stone or Teddy Swim? the late Caldwell’s first album was released decades ago this month, but which singer can take over his Blue-eyed soul reign?

Photo: Getty Images FilmMagic // Gareth Cattermole // Michael Tran/FilmMagic

For a long time, Bobby Caldwell was known as the blue-eyed soul singer. Beloved by Black people everywhere, we mourned with his passing in March 2023. Now, with it being nearly 46 years to the date since he released his debut album, “What You Won’t Do for Love,” we thought it’s the perfect time to look forward at some of the white artists who have helped keep the blue-eyed soul genre alive.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
A Jogger had no idea What or Who Hit Her… Until Police Showed Her

Adele

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD

She’s already reached legend status. Adele’s voice is as soulful as it comes and it’s garnered unprecedented success as a singer.

Sam Smith

Photo: Getty Images Tasos Katopodis Photo: Getty Images Tasos Katopodis

We know he doesn’t necessarily make soul music now, but when he broke into the industry with the single, “Stay With Me,” it sounded like he was singing to a church.

Christina Aguilera

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Billboard Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Billboard

Everyone and their mother knows Christina Aguilera is white, but her booming voice screams something else to the listener. She is as talented a vocalist as anyone and that voice has hypnotized and entertained us for years.

Robin Thicke

Photo: Getty Images Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis Photo: Getty Images Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis

Robin Thicke is another one of the usual suspects who we definitely want at the cook out. While he hasn’t been as active recently, we all know he can blow.

Teddy Swims

One of the newer acts, Teddy Swims is a rising super star and tiktok fave. His deep soulful voice highlighted in his hit “Lose Control,’’ has startled social media users while gaining him legions of fans across a racial divide. Still, his unique voice and ability to combine several genres, which also includes soul and R&B, makes it impossible to put him in a box as his star power continues to explode

Mac Ayers

Photo: Getty Images C Brandon/Redferns Photo: Getty Images C Brandon/Redferns

Mac Ayers is more on the soothing and chill side of R&B. He makes music that enjoyable to drive around in. Check out this song and you’ll know what we’re talking about.

Tommy Richman

While everyone knows Tommy Richman for his uber-single, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY,” this DMV-based artist has been active for a few years now. Richman is another one of these artists that doesn’t necessarily fit in one particular genre, which is what makes his music so enjoyable.

Nai Palm

If you haven’t heard of Hiatus Kaiyote before this, you’ve been missing out. Nai Palm is the lead singer of this funk band from Australia. As the band experiments with sounds, Palm’s unique voice brings it all together to create something beautiful.

JoJo

Photo: Getty Images Don Arnold/WireImage Photo: Getty Images Don Arnold/WireImage

Jojo has been in the R&B game for a minute now and is beloved by Black fans. She’ll continue to keep blue-eyed soul alive for as long as she is active.

Jon B.

Photo: Getty Images Thaddaeus McAdams Photo: Getty Images Thaddaeus McAdams

When he broke into the industry, you would’ve thought he was Black based on the haircut and the sound of his singing voice. He loved putting Black women in his music videos.

Mayer Hawthorne

Although he may not look it, this slender white man has been as consistent as they come in R&B and continues to release quality music to this day.

YEBBA

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez

YEBBA gained popularity thanks to her feature on Drake’s 2021 album, “Certified Lover Boy.” Since then, she’s continued to impress everyone that’s heard her voice.

Charlotte Day Wilson

Although she may be a lesser-known act, Charlotte Day Wilson is just as talented as anyone on the list. Her soulful voice reflects her upbringing in Canada. According to the R&B singer and producer, she was raised listening to Motown.

Joss Stone

Photo: Getty Images Mauricio Santana Photo: Getty Images Mauricio Santana

Described sometimes as “the white Aretha Franklin,” the singer’s voice is even more unusual when you consider she’s from the UK. In America, people expected her to be Black and raised in poverty in order to sing with her soulful emotion, but that just isn’t her story.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might've Missed

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might’ve Missed

From Pam Bondi’s firing to Gucci Mane’s alleged kidnapping, these recent world events have certainly kept us on our toes! …
Eddie Murphy's Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy’s Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy is officially 65! In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look at his most successful films. You might be surprised at what made the cut! …
Why Keke Palmer's Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Why Keke Palmer’s Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Keke Palmer is opening up about that shocking and scary impromptu proposal she received at SXSW. But her experience and explanation is sadly one that most women are familiar with …
Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

An anti-affirmative action organization has filed a lawsuit against Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s scholarships aimed at helping disenfranchised Black students …
Michael Jackson's Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Michael Jackson’s Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Ahead of his biopic, we’re laying out a full timeline of the allegations and legal drama surrounding the King of Pop …
Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

John Bol Ajak is headed back home to Sudan after spending more than a month in ICE custody …
Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

There’s been a lot of chatter from Ray J in the past about where things stands with his sister Brandy. Now she’s sharing her side of the story …
How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

Since hitting streaming services this year, a 2023 documentary following a man’s journey to change his eye color is going viral on TikTok and leaving everyone shook …
Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

During a private Easter luncheon at the White House, Trump told guests it’s just “not possible” for the country to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and daycare …
Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Here’s everything to know about the life and career of former AG Pam Bondi who was just fired by President Trump …
Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Nancy Metayer Bowen was weeks away from announcing a Congress bid. Instead, a wellness check revealed a nightmare, and a husband charged with her murder …
Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Ketanji Brown Jackson stood out from several justices appearing to be skeptical of the president’s argument against the Citizenship Clause in the 14th Amendment …
In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

Boyz II Men member Wanya Morris is back in the hot seat on social media for some resurfaced comments he made about his past relationship with Brandy Norwood. Let’s get into it! …
Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Rapper Gucci Mane faced the unthinkable after he was allegedly kidnapped and robbed. And now folks online can’t stop talking about it! …
Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black Twitter is buzzing with comments about President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi …
New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

Led by Dr. Sonya Reid, a Black physician, a new study shows how DNA-based tumor analysis can help close the survival gap for Black women with aggressive breast cancer …
Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman's Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman’s Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

No standing. No cutting. No problem! Meet the Black content creator who creates disability-friendly recipes that’s taking the internet by storm …
WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

Rapper 2 Chainz’s regular commute included a wild confrontation with a driver who tried ramming his car— and it was all caught on camera …
Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good is finally clearing the air and addressing the criticisms she’s received over past skin bleaching claims …
Florida Vice Mayor Found Dead Inside Home as Police Investigate Husband for the Crime

Florida Vice Mayor Found Dead Inside Home as Police Investigate Husband for the Crime

The city of Coral Springs celebrated the election of first Black and Haitian American female commissioner. Now, they’re forced to mourn her shocking murder …