The Soul Children were an American vocal group, prominent during the late 1960s and 1970s, who played a significant role in the Southern Soul genre. The group, formed by iconic songwriting duo Isaac Hayes and David Porter, was composed of J. Blackfoot, Norman West, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett. They are best known for their resonant gospel-tinged vocals and emotive ballads, which resulted in several hit records on the Stax label, including "I'll Understand" and "Hearsay". Their influential blend of gospel roots with contemporary soul and R&B helped pave the way for future soul artists.