Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer who rose to prominence in the mid-1980s. His musical style is characterized by a deep, soulful voice heavily influenced by the Minneapolis sound, a subgenre of funk rock with elements of synth-pop and new wave. O'Neal is best known for his collaborations with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which resulted in several hit singles such as "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake". His significant impact on the R&B genre and contribution to the Minneapolis sound solidify his place in music history.