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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, โ€œWhat You Wonโ€™t Do for Love,โ€ we thought itโ€™s the perfect time to look forward at some of the white artists who have helped keep the blue-eyed soul genre alive.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Y0SZrPdX0

Adele

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

Sheโ€™s already reached legend status. Adeleโ€™s voice is as soulful as it comes and itโ€™s garnered unprecedented success as a singer.

Sam Smith

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

We know he doesnโ€™t necessarily make soul music now, but when he broke into the industry with the single, โ€œStay With Me,โ€ 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 hasnโ€™t been as active recently, we all know he can blow.

Teddy Swims

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh8QwVYOSVU

One of the newer acts, Teddy Swims is a rising super star and tiktok fave. His deep soulful voice highlighted in his hit โ€œLose Control,โ€™โ€™ 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 youโ€™ll know what weโ€™re talking about.

Tommy Richman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQb3ks0ArpI

While everyone knows Tommy Richman for his uber-single, โ€œMILLION DOLLAR BABY,โ€ this DMV-based artist has been active for a few years now. Richman is another one of these artists that doesnโ€™t necessarily fit in one particular genre, which is what makes his music so enjoyable.

Nai Palm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3tErZ5LUJY

If you havenโ€™t heard of Hiatus Kaiyote before this, youโ€™ve been missing out. Nai Palm is the lead singer of this funk band from Australia. As the band experiments with sounds, Palmโ€™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. Sheโ€™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 wouldโ€™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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmfcYli6vV4

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 Drakeโ€™s 2021 album, โ€œCertified Lover Boy.โ€ Since then, sheโ€™s continued to impress everyone thatโ€™s heard her voice.

Charlotte Day Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkLZd4dPCwI

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 โ€œthe white Aretha Franklin,โ€ the singerโ€™s voice is even more unusual when you consider sheโ€™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 isnโ€™t her story.

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