Remixes can take an iconic song to new heights while showing your appreciation for its creator.
Diddy cemented his place as the “Remix King” with this revamp of Jodeci’s hit single. The result is an electrifying remix that blends R&B and hip-hop, proving smooth edges can coexist alongside rough textures.
Hip-Hop & R&B Remixes
Hip-hop and R&B collide, producing remixes that often combine elements from both genres. Sometimes this simply results in another version of an already-popular track; other times it involves rapping over original instrumentals to incorporate guest rappers.
Many remixes can be classified as bootlegs or freestyles, typically created by amateur producers for personal enjoyment rather than to generate income. On occasion, artists or record labels host remix contests that allow upcoming producers to compete to produce and distribute an official remix of a song – though in most cases copyright permission must first be secured from both artist and record label prior to creating such remixes; otherwise specific instances could fall under Fair Use agreement provided certain government regulations are followed.
Hip-hop artists quickly took to remixing songs in the 1990s, making a name for themselves with dancefloor-friendly versions of popular tracks. Producers began manipulating these remixes by changing bass levels and tempo; adding or dropping instruments; using heavy reverb and echo effects on vocals; as well as amplifying the result at high volume to keep audiences dancing for hours on end.
Remixes were commonly known as “dub mixes,” and were popular among DJs worldwide. Later, producers made “versions,” featuring the same underpinning of a song with additional instrumentation and space for MCs to speak over it. Finally, extended versions were produced which often repeated certain instrumental sections for greater impact.
One of the earliest and most influential examples was Dru Hill, which successfully bridged R&B sultriness with hip-hop’s harder edges. ODB’s rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” with smooth edges coexisting on wax was one such example of this phenomenon.
Today, both hip-hop and R&B continue to embrace remixing as an essential tool for emerging artists to hone their craft. Some artists provide download stems so their fans can experiment with remixing themselves, while professional remixers work for labels or producers to transform existing songs into hot new creations.
R&B & Hip-Hop Fusions
R&B and Hip Hop musical genres may differ significantly in their distinctive defining characteristics, yet both can be used to elicit emotion and express culture. R&B music typically incorporates melodic themes with rich harmonies that explore love and heartbreak while Hip Hop has deep cultural roots related to street life and social consciousness – when artists from both genres collaborate their collaboration can result in an exciting blend of styles which blurs the distinctions between these well-established genres.
Not surprisingly, the combination of R&B and Hip Hop music has produced many successful crossover hits over time. Artists such as Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Blackstreet, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton SWV En Vogue Jodeci have all made lasting impacts through R&B/Hip Hop collaborations; Kanye West and Drake’s success are further proof that blurring boundaries between Hip Hop and R&B music can lead to successful results for artists and audiences.
Historically, this genre-blending found its greatest success during the New Jack Swing period of the early 90’s when Teddy Riley used Hip-Hop’s smooth production to craft R&B songs with smooth production of his own and invited rappers like The Notorious BIGGIE onto his recordings – popularized by Mary J Blige’s hit “I’m Goin’ Home,” featuring The Notorious BIGGIE; further popularised by Kurtis Blow appearing on Rene & Angela’s “Save Your Love,” or Melle Mel’s guest appearance on Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You”.
Today’s Hip Hop and R&B crossover scene remains vibrant with artists continuing to explore this intersection through genre-blending, pushing boundaries, and redefining what rap can be. Listen to 2am by British singer Sophielou for example; its slow yet haunting vocals from Alicia Keys combine with an instrumental comprised of drill sliding 808s, snares, and fast hi-hats – an artform known as RnDrill which creates its own genre altogether. Also check out Hey Mama by Pitbull and Nicki Minaj; its melodies combine perfectly with an instrumental driven dance beat; both tracks standout as unique genres themselves!
R&B & Electronic Music
RnB (Rhythm and Blues) music can speak directly to both soul and body. Its rich melodic lines, harmonies, chord progressions, and traditional Afro American musical influences such as jazz, gospel and boogie-woogie are sure to move audiences and lyrically speak of pain, struggle as well as personal growth and triumphs experienced by African Americans today. RnB became the most popular genre in 2017 in America – surpassing rock music – making this form an experience all its own for listeners! Its rich melodic lines, harmonies and chord progressions draw inspiration from Afro American musical traditions such as jazz gospel boogie-woogie. In 2017 RnB became the most popular genre surpassing rock music; its themes often depict African-American experience of pain as well as personal growth and triumphs of its audience members.
Modern RnB began to cross pollinate with Hip Hop, Dance Pop and Electropop in the 2000s, leading to the emergence of Neo-soul; an evolving genre which blends 1970s soul influences with contemporary production techniques like drum loops and auto tune.
This genre’s sound can often be mesmeric and hypnotic, featuring slow 6/8 guitar-based rhythms with simple hooks and emotive vocal melodies. Artists such as Alicia Keys, BANKS and Beyonce have perfected this style that also employs synths to produce deep bass post-dub sounds.
Some artists push the limits of R&B by mixing in elements from more contemporary electronic music styles like trap. Others like singer-songwriter Ryan Leslie stay true to its roots by including elements from new wave and dubstep into their tracks.
Contemporary RnB music is typically created and performed by solo artists, like Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Sia and Sam Smith. This allows them to place greater emphasis on emotive delivery of lyrics. Furthermore, they often utilize an eclectic selection of instruments including acoustic guitars, strings and harmonicas.
R&B is an ever-evolving genre that continues to influence other musical styles, while infusing new production techniques with drum sampling in some artists and shifting towards trap music by others. Although RnB may never establish its own solid identity, that has only helped create some of the greatest and most groundbreaking music ever. RnB remains a vital element of contemporary musical culture and will likely stay for some time yet.
R&B & Rock
As R&B first came into being during the 1940s, its roots lay heavily in blues and gospel music. Artists playing rhythm and blues frequently utilized piano trios, vocal harmonies in doo-wop style vocals and rhythm and horn sections for performances. Due to its immense popularity, several record companies emerged that specialized solely in R&B such as Chess Records, Stax Records King Vee Jay Okeh and Motown among many others.
In the 1950s, rock and R&B music merged, and performers like James Brown, Fats Domino and Little Richard could be classified both as R&B singers and rock musicians. By 1960s however, both genres had diverged: white rockers preferred heavier sounds with psychedelic experimentation while black soul musicians such as Otis Redding developed commercially polished styles featuring glamorous singers and dynamic rhythm sections.
Contemporary R&B is a genre-bending amalgamation of elements from other genres, including rock, pop, funk, disco and hip hop. Its lyrics often capture African-American experience of pain, freedom and joy while simultaneously addressing racism, economics and relationships within society.
R&B music originated in the United States during a period of mass family migration into urban centres. Immigrants brought with them their traditional “race music” or “black music”, later known as rhythm and blues (R&B).
R&B should not be confused with soul music, a style of contemporary popular music that originated in the late 1980s and features elements from pop, jazz and blues genres – making up its signature blend. Soul tends to feature slower tempos with melancholic undertones than its counterpart R&B does.
Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton SWV and Boyz II Men are among the leading lights of modern R&B music, often using keyboards or software loops for their productions. Though contemporary R&B still retains some key characteristics from its origins genre – as its listeners’ tastes shift and evolve – contemporary R&B is constantly reinventing itself to keep up with audience preferences and remain appealing and enjoyable to listeners.