Meshell Ndegeocello reflects on her musical influences: 'I'm the child of many'

NPR | By Tonya Mosley

Published October 19, 2026 at 11:42 AM EDT

Often called the mother of neo-soul, Ndegeocello doesn't see herself that way. On her new album Synonym, she's turning familiar songs inside out, from the Human League to Bob Dylan.

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