Many of the artists who released hip-hop soul records had previously
released new jack swing (or, for the female performers, new jill swing)
recordings, including Jodeci, SWV, and TLC. The major difference
between the two was that hip-hop soul contained less of an R&B feel
than new jack swing, samples instead of synthesizer lines, and featured
strong elements of 1990s East Coast hip hop and gangsta rap. Other
artists who recorded hip-hop soul tracks include Montell Jordan (the
first R&B artist to sign with hip-hop label Def Jam Records),
Blackstreet (led by Teddy Riley, the inventor of new jack swing),
Groove Theory, and the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul", Mary J. Blige.