R&B music has made a comeback into popular culture. Festival-goers such as Tame Impala and CHVRCHES as well as newcomers Kehlani, Hiatus Kaiyote and Rhye have all been incorporating R&B into their albums.
R&b can be traced back to the Great Migration, when Blacks left rural Southern communities for larger cities like Detroit or Atlanta in search of opportunity and employment. Early influences included blues music as well as church hymns.
History
Rhythm and blues has an intriguing history. Its origins lie in African American church music as well as folklore from Southern black lands, but developed further with the Great Migration as black populations moved north in search of employment and new opportunities. Early R&B artists used various musical instruments such as electric guitars, bass, piano, and drums for creating their sounds, while their lyrics explored intimate topics often with sexually suggestive content.
The 1970s was a golden age of classic R&B music, with artists like Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross at the pinnacle of their fame. These artists pushed the limits of R&B genre, producing sounds more danceable than their rock and roll predecessors; furthermore their experimentation gave rise to disco and funk which used similar musical techniques as R&B.
With the proliferation of hip hop culture in the ’90s, R&B became less appealing to young audiences than before due to rap music’s rebellious vibe being more appealing than romantic R&B singers from previous decades. Many established R&B artists eventually incorporated some hip hop elements into their music as they increasingly adopted its style.
Contemporary R&B has evolved with the times, incorporating elements of funk, pop music and (after 1986) hip hop to form what is now known as urban contemporary. Additionally, its instrumentation has changed considerably; from using guitars and pianos for composition purposes to synthesizers and software loops – yet the soulful singing style with emotional undertones remain central elements.
Frank Ocean, Jhene Aiko and PartyNextDoor have helped push R&B forward as acts like them bridge its genre with other musical forms. This trend may continue as artists strive to break free of conventional genre definitions to express what feels true to themselves as artists.
Characteristics
R&B (rhythm and blues), commonly referred to as R&B, has long been an integral part of black culture. First emerging in major urban centers like New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia as part of the Great Migration of African-Americans from southern states into northern ones during World War II, R&B musicians were inspired by both southern church music and blues which enabled them to compose songs with positive messages while also speaking out against segregation and racism in their home communities.
In the 1950s, artists experimented with electric guitars and drums to form a rock and roll style of R&B music. Though its sound would occasionally alter, R&B’s roots remained soulful vocal performances with melisma or improvised solos often used to add layers of complexity into these performances.
By the 1980s, R&B had adopted elements of disco and funk, leading to its own subgenre known as soul music, pioneered by artists such as Aretha Franklin. While R&B focused more on strong beats with ballad-like qualities than before, soul gradually added hip hop elements which eventually gave birth to modern styles of rap music.
Today, R&B music encompasses an eclectic variety of influences and remains one of the world’s most beloved genres. Artists such as Rihanna, Usher, and Beyonce are among its most well-known acts; known for their distinctive voices and emotive lyrics that touch upon heartbreak, love, and personal struggles.
R&B music is currently experiencing a revival thanks to millennials’ embrace of its more soothing sounds and messages. Contemporary artists are reinventing R&B with innovative fusions between it and other styles such as hip hop, funk and disco; some even incorporate electronic instruments or dance music elements into their work.
These artists range from mainstream pop acts like Summer Walker and SZA to underground R&B acts such as KAYTRANADA, SiR, Ravyn Lenae and Ojerime. R&B music has also made its return on festival circuits; headliners like The Weeknd and Leon Bridges often perform R&B.
Influences
R&B music has deep ties to African American history and culture, particularly during the Great Migration period when many families uprooted themselves and relocated to urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Detroit. They brought with them their music and culture – such as church music or folklore that added depth and emotion. Many R&B musicians that rose to prominence were heavily influenced by these communities – such as Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey who have since become synonymous with R&B as vocal virtuosos!
In the 1970s and ’80s, many artists started to incorporate more glam, funk, disco, and pop influences into their music, leading them to alter their styles accordingly. Though their genre remained dependent on hot beats and soulful singing for its foundation, there were noticeable variations.
Producers and artists began to utilize synthesizers more frequently in their productions instead of traditional instruments, as well as experiment with using funk bass and jazz-influenced drumming – an integral component in transitioning from rhythm and blues to modern R&B.
Another transformative change came with the rise of rap and hip hop music. Mary J. Blige led this genre fusion forward by reinventing classic soul tracks with modern beats; this opened the way for artists such as SZA, PartyNextDoor, and Jhene Aiko who blurred R&B and hip hop genres simultaneously.
Today’s R&B still contains many of the same elements it always has used; however, with subtle modifications. Genre-bending has continued over the years with R&B taking inspiration from various genres while staying true to its roots – with artists like SZA, Summer Walker and Cleo Sol taking influence from Neo-Soul as well as electronic R&B (Kelela KAYTRANADA and Sampha). With each passing year it seems sure to continue evolving and changing further! The future looks bright for R&B genre!
Styles
R&B encompasses an eclectic variety of musical genres, but all share elements such as soulful singing and an upbeat rhythm. Influences can include blues, jazz and gospel. Its origins lie with Black American church music as well as Black musicians migrating Northward during the Great Migration (Black musicians from Southern states moved north) through cities like New York, Chicago Detroit Los Angeles. Over time its form adapted further as its creators adopted urban themes while adding elements from rock’n’roll, disco funk into their songs.
Early classic R&B was typically composed of a standard band format consisting of drums, electric guitar, double bass and piano; sometimes adding the horn section for emphasis. Singers played an essential role in this genre – often performing vocal harmonies as part of their performances – with many artists becoming known for their provocative lyrics and dance moves; James Brown, Luther Vandross Mariah Carey and Tina Turner were widely respected for their singing ability and entertainment value.
Contemporary R&B music draws influence from pop, rap and hip hop genres while still maintaining its soulful sound. Lyrics often focus on love, relationship issues and social concerns such as racism. Popular artists who have gained prominence in this genre include Usher (formerly of Destiny’s Child), Beyonce and Mariah Carey who all offer something that blurs the boundaries between classic R&B and contemporary pop music.
Today’s R&B music is more likely to feature dance beats and synthesizers than its R&B roots; some artists such as Bryson Tiller have adopted heavy trap styles that more closely resemble hip hop than its roots; other musicians like Drake and Jorja Smith can bridge R&B, soul, and rap with ease.
R&B music remains one of the most beloved forms of expression among adults and youth alike, making up one of the cornerstones of popular music today. R&B can be seen influencing hits by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and Beyonce; its influence will continue for years to come.