Olivia Dean & Her Influences: A Neo-Soul Journey
# Olivia Dean & Her Influences: A Neo-Soul Journey
36 verified tracks | ~2.5 hours | Mix of classic soul & contemporary neo-soul
A deep dive spanning Olivia Dean's primary influences (Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Carole King, Motown legends) through today's contemporary neo-soul peers.
Playlist Sections
Opening (Olivia Dean)
Olivia Dean — Man I Need
Olivia Dean — Dive
Amy Winehouse (Primary Influence)
Amy Winehouse — Back to Black
Amy Winehouse — You Know I'm No Good
Amy Winehouse — Help Yourself
Lauryn Hill (Primary Influence)
Lauryn Hill — Ex-Factor
Lauryn Hill — Doo Wop (That Thing)
Fugees — Ready or Not
Carole King (Primary Influence)
Carole King — You've Got a Friend
Carole King — I Feel the Earth Move
Motown Era
Diana Ross — Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Diana Ross — Love Hangover
The Supremes — Where Did Our Love Go
Jazz & Classic Pop Standards
Nat King Cole — Unforgettable
Elton John — Tiny Dancer
Contemporary Soul Peers
Leon Bridges — Coming Home
Leon Bridges — River
Modern Neo-Soul: Female Vocalists
Lianne La Havas — Unstoppable
Lianne La Havas — Midnight
Lianne La Havas — What You Don't Do
Rachel Chinouriri — If Only
Rachel Chinouriri — What A Life
Nectar Woode — How It's Gotta Be
Nectar Woode — Only Happen
Nectar Woode — Good Vibrations
Cleo Sol — Sweet Blue
Cleo Sol — Why Don't You
Emily King — Special Occasion
Rising Stars
Amber Mark — Worth It
Joy Crookes — Perfect Crime
Joy Crookes — Lover Don't
Closing (Olivia Dean & Collaborations)
Olivia Dean — The Hardest Part
Olivia Dean — The Hardest Part (feat. Leon Bridges)
Sam Fender, Olivia Dean — Rein Me In
Rachel Chinouriri — It Is What It Is
Cleo Sol — Still Cold
The Arc: Modern neo-soul icon → Her vocal heroes → Motown's golden age → Contemporary peers → Full circle back to Olivia's artistry.
All tracks verified through MusicBrainz, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Perfect for exploring how classic soul traditions flow into 2020s indie-pop sensibility.