The Groove

The greatest soul artists of all time

62 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

No. 1

Stevie Wonder

United States of America · 1950– · soul

20.654

Why this number?

The full board · page 2

25 Dusty Springfield

United Kingdom · 1939–1999 · blue-eyed soul 1.016

26 Gnarls Barkley

United States of America · 2006– · hip hop 0.985

Marvin Sapp

United States of America · 1967– · gospel 0.984

28 Nina Simone

United States of America · 1933–2003 · jazz 0.870

29 Zeal & Ardor

Switzerland · 2013– · avant-garde metal 0.730

Bruno Mars

United States of America · 1985– · pop 0.639

31 Sly & the Family Stone

United States of America · 1967–1975 · funk 0.627

32 D’Angelo

United States of America · 1974–2025 · neo soul 0.600

33 Black Eyed Peas

United States of America · 1995– · hip hop 0.550

34 Ms. Lauryn Hill

United States of America · 1975– · r&b 0.500

35 Say What?

United Kingdom · 2005– · funk 0.492

36 Dexys Midnight Runners

United Kingdom · 1978– · new wave 0.486

37 Kevin Rowland

United Kingdom · 1953– · new wave 0.486

Elvis Presley

United States of America · 1935–1977 · pop 0.482

39 Fine Young Cannibals

United Kingdom · 1984–1996 · rock 0.465

Tori Amos

United States of America · 1963– · rock 0.446

41 Tracy Chapman

United States of America · 1964– · folk rock 0.440

42 Jazmine Sullivan

United States of America · 1987– · contemporary r&b 0.425

43 Fatboy Slim

United Kingdom · 1963– · big beat 0.392

44 James Blake

United Kingdom · 1988– · dubstep 0.384

Britney Spears

United States of America · 1981– · pop 0.374

Queen

United Kingdom · 1970– · rock 0.361

The Black Keys

United States of America · 2001– · blues rock 0.352

The Weeknd

Canada · 1990– · contemporary r&b 0.333