Jordan Hildebrand ‘26, staff writer
Music is one of the purest ways to express creativity typically kept inside; for Micah Partee, his exploration of Neo-Soul helps him reflect on how his own creativity influences his appreciation of music.
Partee, a senior marketing major, is a student invested in the impacts of music not only on the soul, but also in various communities. Partee specializes in the genre of Neo-Soul, a blend of contemporary and traditional elements, connecting genres like soul and jazz fusion.
Partee’s passion doesn’t just stop at Neo-Soul, but his appreciation for music runs deep for all genres, especially those of older generations.
“If you wanted to make a comparison, you could argue that soul music and modern jazz definitely are the closest two,” Partee said.
For Partee, music is not about the boundaries enclosing what music is listened to. It is about the instruments and the willingness to give emotion and voice to the sounds created, truly bringing not just Neo-Soul, but all genres of music to life.
“New sounds and new music begin to flow together, as they use similar instruments and engineering,” Partee said. “But for me, I think the live instruments and the true voice of soul music speaking through Neo-Soul is what separates other things from it.”
By taking this revival of Neo-Soul as a new wave of smaller artists attempting to capture raw emotions through their sounds, the inseparable elements of soul music—such as live instruments—are truly what keep the movement alive.
Although the progress of this movement is slower, with smaller artists—such as Partee himself—cultivating their collections carefully, there is no denying Neo-Soul, and even soul as a genre, has made waves and had a recognizable impact on the music landscape.
“Neo-Soul, or New Soul, is mixing in modern-day instruments while paying homage to the old soul music that we used to listen to, creating a unique sound for all to relate to,” Partee said.
Thanks to the impact of soul music over the years, “New Soul,” as Partee refers to it, is slowly gaining traction by capitalizing on its roots in older genres. Neo-Soul could not have a revival if not for first acknowledging its origins.
Partee himself believes he has become a revivalist of the genre, but claims the genre itself is a movement, adapting to the flow of the music industry. Modern Neo-Soul artists are hard at work under the surface, slowly injecting their emotional impact into the industry one track at a time.
“I think the power of soul comes from its ability to be so raw with its sound,” Partee said. “Since it is a movement, more and more modern artists are stepping into Neo-Soul in an attempt to capture that sound that brings out emotions you can’t pull out through other sounds.”
For Partee, switching his major from music with a business minor to marketing was a choice he felt would positively influence the creative centers of his brain. But his sole goal wasn’t just to find a new major; he wanted to create something for the benefit of others.
“I found something that fits my creative mind and my passion,” Partee said. “But in that same way, I can help other people through my own music. Music is the ultimate equalizer…it is truly the only thing that brings us emotionally closer together.”
Partee specializes in writing lyrics and creating beats, with each track taking him a significant amount of time. He believes the most essential part of his music creation is spreading love through his message.
Partee wants to be wherever his music takes him. As long as he can help someone through something or serve as a figurehead for this new revival, he will be content, as long as his music reaches the people who need it. His creativity serves as a tool, providing an emotional outlet for others, making the revival of Neo-Soul all the more meaningful in this new generation.