R&B music has seen an upsurge in its popularity recently, thanks to artists like Frank Ocean and The Weeknd who have become familiar to casual pop music fans through their acclaimed albums and television performances.
Kendrick Lamar and Jhene Aiko regularly collaborate with R&B singers to bring its sound into the mainstream, while electronic musicians such as SBTRKT, Hudson Mohawke, and Jamie xx have included R&B as part of their repertoires.
Origins
R&B emerged through the fusion of African American genres such as blues and gospel with rock and roll music. This process happened concurrent with a second wave of African Americans migrating from rural areas into urban centers after World War II; they brought with them their musical traditions – particularly jazz and blues – which early R&B artists took inspiration from; these musicians often reworked blues standards for contemporary audiences or were heavily influenced by Civil Rights Movement-influenced songs which dealt with themes of love, struggle and injustice as social commentary in these songs that used themes such as love, struggle and injustice as social commentary.
Motown Records of Detroit became synonymous with R&B as it emerged during this era, producing music by legendary performers like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross and her Supremes; Motown also pioneered production techniques which would lead into disco and funk music genres in later decades.
By the ’80s, R&B had become an indispensable genre in pop culture. Artists such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross were famed for their vocal virtuosity in R&B music; the use of synthesizers and drum machines gave rise to newer styles like New Jack Swing; this hybrid genre merged elements of hip hop with R&B to produce an engaging listener experience.
R&B remains an influential force on modern pop music, from fashion trends and dance moves, language development and social activism – R&B is still making waves across popular culture today. R&B can be found everywhere from fashion shows and dance moves, language evolution and social activism all the way down to changing language itself. R&B has left its mark across pop culture – from fashion trends and dance moves, language evolution and social activism, R&B has left its imprint. R&B can evoke emotions while sparking conversations, acting as powerful agents of social change: Sam Cooke sang his “A Change Is Gonna Come” during the Civil Rights Movement; Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyrics which highlight issues like police brutality. R&B has also helped change how people speak – Mariah Carey coined phrases like “put a ring on it”.
Styles
R&B, commonly referred to as soul music due to its soulful vocals and catchy melodies, features distinctive record production techniques with soft yet lush tones and its roots in jazz remain undimmed over time.
Beginning its journey in the 1940s, R&B quickly expanded its boundaries by incorporating elements of blues, gospel, rock and roll and soul music. This resulted in a more mature sound which is now associated with contemporary R&B. Later in its evolution in the 1960s when artists like Aretha Franklin and Motown’s Marvin Gaye added sophisticated musical elements as well as socially aware lyrics into its repertoire; R&B became known as blue-eyed soul.
In the 1980s, more artists emerged who combined hip hop and electronic music into their songs, helping expand R&B even further and introduce younger listeners. Today, many contemporary R&B artists use an eclectic combination of styles to craft their own signature style that has come to be known as pop or contemporary R&B.
Today, R&B transcends mere genre boundaries; it has become a lifestyle celebrated by some of the most beloved musicians in the world and millions of listeners around the globe. Its raw soulfulness and vulnerability has cemented its status as one of the most beloved genres in music; some critics question if contemporary R&B has shed its African American roots entirely.
Modern R&B producers often rely on electronic drum machines and synthesizers instead of the more traditional instruments to produce modern R&B tracks. While this might displease traditionalists, this trend has given birth to an exciting new breed of young artists taking a fresh approach to R&B genre music production. As well as using electronic instrumentation in their songs, many of them incorporate acoustic drum samples and chord progressions which show they remain faithful to classic sounds of genre music.
Influences
R&B music has taken many different paths since its establishment. It began as an amalgamation of jazz, blues and gospel influences in the 1940s; later this genre also borrowed heavily from popular musical styles of its day such as rock n roll and country. Early R&B was often performed by small groups of musicians from a tight piano trio to full rhythm and horn sections.
By the mid to late 1950s, R&B became increasingly recognizable. Around this time, Motown emerged, an influential Detroit-based record company established by songwriter and producer Berry Gordy Jr. This label produced legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross & the Supremes and Stevie Wonder who produced iconic hits that remain beloved to this day – many written by legendary songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland comprised of brothers Brian & Eddie Dozier plus Lamont Dozier
As R&B flourished during the 1960s, it gained in popularity among African American communities as an outlet for social interaction and entertainment. These segregated neighborhoods longed for positive musical representation of their culture; Louis Jordan made this possible by adding characteristics characteristic of R&B like energetic shuffle rhythms, boogie-woogie bass lines and shouted blues vocals – characteristics now associated with R&B music today.
R&B music has evolved over time as it responds to trends and shifts in popular culture, frequently touching upon topics like love, friendship and everyday life – which makes it relatable for a wide range of audiences. R&B also serves as an avenue for social activism; such as Sam Cooke’s classic civil rights movement tune “A Change Is Gonna Come,” through to Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyrics against police brutality today.
Today’s R&B scene is flourishing with talented new artists like Kehlani, Snarky Puppy, Kali Uchis, Anna Wise and Hundred Waters emerging. Although R&B music has gone through various production changes over time, its distinctively soulful experience remains true to its roots and remains engaging.
Trends
Even after nearly six decades, R&B continues to thrive and evolve. Newcomers bring fresh sounds while R&B legends prove they still possess talent, making its future look bright.
In the 1940s, jump blues came into existence – a musical style which fused jazz and blues music together into a rhythmic beat – giving birth to modern R&B as well as helping pave the way for rock and roll music. Artists such as Ray Charles, Little Richard and James Brown pioneered classic R&B.
In the 1970s, R&B music took a significant shift toward funk. This style focused on rhythm and groove, with Sly and the Family Stone and Parliament-Funkadelic dominating the charts. Furthermore, this period saw an explosion of girl group acts, such as SWV, En Vogue and Destiny’s Child; breaking ground for other female acts to follow suit.
Today’s R&B music has changed considerably over time, drawing influences from hip-hop and disco. Artists such as Drake have popularized a smoother form with contemporary undertones; often characterized by piano trios, vocal harmonies in a doo-wop style and rhythm and horn sections.
Modern R&B songs often reflect personal experiences and emotions, often covering topics such as relationships, racism, social justice or other timely concerns. This approach keeps R&B relevant in today’s society while honoring its roots.
R&B music has also played a pivotal role in shaping popular culture language and slang. The emotive lyrics of classic R&B acts have had a tremendous effect on how people speak and express themselves; artists such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder have had tremendous influence in creating new words and phrases to enhance our communication amongst each other.