,

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.

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

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

If You Thought You Knew Everything About Prince, Here Are Some Things That Will Shock You

June 7 would have been Prince's 67th birthday. Here are a few things few people know about the legendary rocker ...
Father's Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

Father’s Day 2025: Fave Black Dads in TV and Film

From films like "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Daddy's Little Girls" to shows like "Family Matters" and "Black-ish," we're celebrating our favorite dads in media ...

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But  You Don't Know What 'The Harlem 'Hellfighters' Did to Win The War

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But You Don’t Know What ‘The Harlem ‘Hellfighters’ Did to Win The War

There are many Black people who served in the U.S. Army with honor. Let's give them their flowers ...
Sole Survivor Explains How He's Alive After Air India Crash

Sole Survivor Explains How He’s Alive After Air India Crash

An Air India flight crash that claimed over 240 lives had one remarkable sole survivor. Viswashkumar Ramesh, 40, was one of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad about half a minute after takeoff on Thursday. While recovering ...
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

The Very Short List of Black Celebs Speaking Out Against Trump’s ICE Raids

Although the list is short, folks like Doechii, Vic Mensa and Ava DuVernay are not happy with Trump's handling of anti-ICE protests ...
White George Floyd Advocate and Husband 'Target of Political Assasination' but It Gets Worse

White George Floyd Advocate and Husband ‘Target of Political Assasination’ but It Gets Worse

This is a sad day for America. But we all knew something like this coming ...
The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar's First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar’s First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

Lamar touched down in Drake's hometown for his Grand National Tour and let's just say things went off-script in the most hilarious way ...
Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That's Not The Scary Part

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That’s Not The Scary Part

Father’s Day weekend might be met with a side of anti-fascist chaos… across the country ...
Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Until They See ...Jay-Z

Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Until They See …Jay-Z

“Beyoncé’s youngest daughter was among the crowd during the latest ‘Cowboy Carter’ show in London.” ...
Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here's What We Know?

Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here’s What We Know?

Minaj took aim at Sharpe in a new song and now that he's gotten wind of it, he's a got a whole lot to say! ...
Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a <i>Huge</i> Price For What He Does to a Fan

Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a Huge Price For What He Does to a Fan

DeMarcus Cousins catches a steep penalty from his basketball team for very unsportsmanlike conduct caught on camera ...
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Behind Florida’s Sheriff’s ‘We Will Kill You’ to Anti-Trump Protesters

With Sheriff Ivey basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks took it all in ...
What Black Men Secretly Want For Father's Day

What Black Men Secretly Want For Father’s Day

It's not socks. Nor is it cologne. What Black men want for Father's Day is simple and free ...
How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly's Legal Mess, Explained

How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly’s Legal Mess, Explained

The once beloved R&B singer is pulling out all the stops to try to get out of prison and his latest attempt just might involve the president! ...
Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Turns out you can't make PB&Js during a court hearing, even if it's on Zoom ...
Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Lattimore, a popular singer, has remained out of the headlines as of late. But this new development has now changed that! ...
Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti's New Reality Show Trailer

Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti’s New Reality Show Trailer

If reality TV wasn't already starting to get juicy with the comeback of Love Island USA, it's definitely going to get interesting with a new show everyone is talking about. Spin the block couple, Nelly and Ashanti, are coming out with a reality TV show, "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong ...
Wait...Who's Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Wait…Who’s Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer, has been trying to get out from under his 31 year prison sentence. But this latest attempt might be the wildest ...
Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

After a new Marvel comic introduces a white Black Panther, fans discuss whether Ryan Gosling should take on the role ...