Roots of SWV
The artists and genres SWV came out of — one hop back on the influence tree.
DiddyartistSean John Combs, also known professionally as Diddy, is an American former rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is credited with the discovery and development of musical artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
H-Townartist
ZhanéartistZhané was an American R&B duo of Renée Neufville and Jean Norris-Baylor, best known for their 1993 hit "Hey Mr. D.J.", which reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" and minor hit "Sending My Love", both released in 1994. The group was part of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit collective.
Asha PuthliartistAsha Puthli is an Indian-born American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress. She moved to New York from Mumbai with a dance scholarship, and in 1970, she was signed to CBS Records and subsequently released several solo albums. Her recordings cover blues, pop, rock, soul, funk, disco, and techno music. She also starred in films by Merchant Ivory and Bruno Corbucci. In 2025, Puthli was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Kevin Rossartist
KGartistGirlset, formerly known as VCHA, is an American girl group based in Los Angeles. The group was formed by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records through the reality competition show A2K in 2023. The group consists of four members: Camila, Lexi, Kendall, and Savanna.
VCHAartist
P. DiddyartistSean John Combs, also known professionally as Diddy, is an American former rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is credited with the discovery and development of musical artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
Puff DaddyartistSean John Combs, also known professionally as Diddy, is an American former rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is credited with the discovery and development of musical artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
Sean Combsartist
Missy Elliottartist
TLCartist
Xscapeartist
En Vogueartist
Michael Jacksonartist
BlackstreetartistBlackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Virginia Beach, Virginia-based record producers Chauncey "Black" Hannibal, Joseph "Street" Stonestreet, and Teddy Riley. The group released four albums with Interscope Records between 1994 and 2003. They achieved moderate commercial success leading up to their 1996 single "No Diggity", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.
Jaco Pastoriusartist
The Notorious B.I.G.artistChristopher George Latore Wallace, known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter. Rooted in the East Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often grim content. His music was semi-autobiographical, telling of hardship and criminality but also of debauchery and celebration.
Les McCannartist
Tyrone DavisartistTyrone Davis was an American blues and soul singer with a long list of hit records over more than 20 years. Davis had three number 1 hits on the Billboard R&B chart: "Can I Change My Mind" (1968), "Turn Back the Hands of Time" (1970), and "Turning Point" (1975).
Eric Claptonartist
Jennifer Hollidayartist
Patti LaBelleartist
Tramaine HawkinsartistTramaine Aunzola Richardson, known professionally as Tramaine/Tramaine Hawkins, is an American award-winning Gospel singer whose career spans over five decades. Hawkins has won two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and 19 Stellar Awards, and is a Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee.