“When someone is themselves through their music, it's soul music. James Taylor is soul music to me 'cause it's just him talking about him. It doesn't have anything to do with black or growing up in the church; it's where it comes from. It's just soul music.”

American singer-songwriter and record producer

India Arie Simpson is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. She came to wider attention with her debut album, Acoustic Soul, released in 2001, which was both a commercial and critical success. She later released Voyage to India, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, Songversation, and Worthy. Her music blends R&B, soul, and neo-soul, and her songs often return to self-empowerment, spirituality, and social awareness.