Jazz, R&B and blues have long been recognized for their power to evoke emotions. These genres have had a lasting influence on music for over one hundred years and continue to influence it today.
R&B music has a long-standing legacy of success and popularity, becoming one of the most dominant genres in pop and hip-hop music. Here are some of the most renowned R&B artists to ever grace the music world.
Rhythm and blues
R&B is an African-American music genre that blends elements of pop, gospel, blues and jazz with a heavy backbeat. Its origins can be traced to the migration of southern Blacks from sharecropping and tenant farming to major urban centers during World War II, where they formed vibrant entertainment districts.
R&B (Rhythm and blues) is one of the most beloved genres of American popular music, with a long and storied history that began in the 1940s. Billboard magazine coined its name in 1949 to replace “race music” as an umbrella term for black popular music.
It originated from the rural Mississippi Delta region of America and draws its inspiration from African-American work songs, spirituals and field hollers. The guitar-driven slow lamenting style is marked by traditional blues scales and chord progressions as well as sentimental lyrics about lost love, mistreatment or poverty.
The music evolved into a rocking style that combined twelve-bar blues format with boogie-woogie and backbeat, which would later become essential elements of rock and roll. Rhythm and blues music became an important genre of commercial recording during the early 1950s when successful marketing efforts targeting white listeners made it an immensely popular form of African-American music.
R&B music is characterized by its tight harmony vocal ensemble sound, which ranges from jazz/blues combos to blues shouters to gospel-inflected solo singers. This popular form of music attracted many young performers, particularly in major cities such as Chicago and Detroit.
Rhythm and blues had its own distinct musical language, distinct from jazz in that it focused on vocals rather than instrumentals. Additionally, this genre was more suitable for dancing than jazz as the emphasis was placed on the beats and rhythms of the music.
By the 1970s, rhythm and blues had been transformed into a more contemporary sound that borrowed heavily from jazz, rock, soul and funk. Nonetheless, r&b remains the primary language of African-American music today.
Rhythm and blues is an iconic expression of African-American music that captures the culture and lifestyle of its creators. It remains one of the most widely listened-to forms of popular African-American music, continuing its legacy and influence on other forms of black popular music today.
Jazz
Jazz is a music genre defined by free improvisation, syncopated rhythms and group interaction. Originating in the American Deep South during the late 19th century, jazz has become one of America’s most beloved forms of artistic expression.
R&B (Rhythm & Blues) began to gain popularity during the 1950s as a fusion of jazz styles and blues music. Jazz had already become the most popular form of music in America at that time, but R&B quickly gained steam as an uptempo style that appealed to Black audiences.
R&B musicians played on drums, double bass, electric guitar, piano and other instruments to sing a variety of songs with powerful voices that reflected African-American experiences of pain, joy, freedom and aspirations. Lyrical themes often touched upon themes related to sadness, joy joy freedom and aspirations – all intertwined within these African-American experiences.
Many classic R&B artists also incorporated blues into their songs, particularly during the 1950s. This style of “blues-jazz” shared similarities to jazz but focused on syncopated beats instead of the traditional swung note pattern.
Another form of blues-jazz, popular in New Orleans, had a more distinct Louisiana flavour than the typical swinging New York R&B. This style was built upon Professor Longhair’s rolling piano style which Fats Domino popularized during the late 1950s.
As a result, many R&B performers crossed over into blues-jazz and even rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. This trend was caused by segregation within America’s Black community and an absence of awareness regarding the distinctions between these genres.
In the 1970s, R&B underwent a dramatic evolution. It evolved to encompass several musical genres such as jazz, funk, pop, hip hop and electronic elements – leading to new subgenres like alternative and progressive R&B.
The music became increasingly polished and polished, with a more “pop” vibe. This style is now known as contemporary R&B and it stands out for its use of drum machine-backed rhythms along with lush vocal arrangements.
Instrumentation
R&B music jazz is a genre of music with roots in rhythm and blues that has since evolved into many other styles. Over its history, talented musicians have created songs that have had profound affects on listeners – becoming transformative and cathartic for many.
R&B musicians in the early days often drew upon their backgrounds in soul, gospel and blues for inspiration. Their lyrics sometimes dealt with racial issues but also explored personal relationships and the hope for change.
Early R&B music was predominantly guitar-driven. Over the years, however, the genre has evolved towards keyboards and synthesizers. Some artists, like Alicia Keys, prefer acoustic pianos; others rely on electronic keyboards with software loops for production.
Another distinguishing characteristic of contemporary R&B from its predecessors is the integration of hip hop elements. Rap has become an integral part of contemporary R&B music, with artists like Bryson Tiller and Drake featuring equal amounts singing and rapping on their albums.
Modern R&B, while drawing inspiration from funk and hip hop, has become more jazz-influenced than in the past. Songs such as “September” by Bryson Tiller and Drake show this influence.
Jazz is defined by its use of swing rhythm. This energetic groove or beat has its roots in traditional African music and can be described as an infectious energy that encourages dancing and excitement. Skilled jazz musicians utilize this rhythm to craft a vibrant sound that encourages people to move their feet and heads.
The New Orleans rhythm and blues style is an example of this type of fusion music, featuring instruments such as drums, bass, horns, electric guitar, piano, and vocals. This genre was particularly popular during the 1940s and 1950s.
In the 1970s, Black communities discovered a new genre called funk. This music downplays melody and chord progressions and instead emphasizes an intricate groove played by various instruments – creating a danceable musical form.
The genre has grown and matured over time, becoming one of the most beloved types of music in America. Its influence has spread to other genres such as soul, rock ‘n’ roll, ska and disco.
Vocals
Modern R&B music jazz often includes vocals as a prominent element. These vocals may be accompanied by other instruments like guitar, bass, piano or horns to form a more complete musical arrangement.
R&B songs are typically performed by male and female singers. They employ various vocal techniques to make their lyrics stand out from other music. Falsetto, a high-pitched voice tone used to convey emotions, is often employed.
They may also employ adlibbing, which is the practice of adding backing vocals to the lead singer’s phrases. This can be an effective way to make your vocals sound more resonant and powerful.
R&B singers often add dubbed vocals to their songs, which can be an effective way to emphasize certain lines in the song. This technique is especially beneficial during verses where you want to increase impact.
Another essential skill of R&B singing is knowing your music rhythms. Doing this will enable you to sing with more natural flow, something which needs to be developed before diving into this genre of singing.
Through the decades, vocalists have used their voices to convey their enthusiasm for their craft and share stories. Additionally, these artists used their vocals as a testament to the times in which they lived.
They have also used their voices to speak out against injustice. Marvin Gaye sang about police brutality in a song called “What’s Going On?”.
Music is often employed to honor Black culture. It draws influence from Black worship and big band style music, as well as African-American traditions like dance and drumming.
In the 1980s, R&B began to incorporate various musical styles and elements, such as jazz, funk, pop and hip-hop into its sound. This evolution is known as “new jack swing”, ushering in a more soulful side to this beloved genre.
Though this style of music has evolved considerably over time, it remains immensely popular in America today. It has been an influential factor behind civil rights initiatives and other social justice causes, as well as having a major impact on modern pop music as well.