R&B music, also known as rhythm and blues, is a musical genre that originated in the 1940s among black Americans.
It combines elements of gospel, jazz, folk, and blues music and has been continuously refined and reinvented over the decades.
R&B music has influenced and been influenced by other genres such as rock, soul, funk, hip-hop, and pop.
But what is the current state of R&B music in 2023? Is it dying or evolving? How has it changed since the 1990s?
And what are some of the best contemporary R&B songs and artists to listen to? In this article, we will explore these questions and more.
What is R&B Music?
R&B music is a broad term that encompasses various styles and subgenres of black American music that share some common characteristics. According to MasterClass, these characteristics include:
- A strong emphasis on rhythm and groove
- A use of backbeat, which is an accent on the second and fourth beats of a measure
- A melodic and harmonic structure that often follows the 12-bar blues form or its variations
- A lyrical content that expresses emotions, especially love, pain, and joy
- A vocal delivery that ranges from smooth and soulful to raw and gritty
R&B music emerged in the post-World War II era as a way for black Americans to express themselves and cope with the social and economic challenges they faced.
It also served as a form of entertainment and cultural identity for black communities.
R&B music was initially called “race music” by the music industry, but this term was replaced by “rhythm and blues” in 1949 by Billboard magazine reporter Jerry Wexler. R&B music soon became popular among both black and white audiences and influenced the development of rock and roll in the 1950s.
Some of the pioneers of R&B music in the 1940s and 50s were Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Roy Milton, Joe Liggins, Wynonie Harris, Big Joe Turner, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Platters, Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder.
How has R&B Music changed since the 1990s?
R&B music has undergone many changes since the 1990s. Some of the factors that have contributed to these changes are:
- The Rise of hip-hop culture and its Influence on R&B Music
- The emergence of new subgenres and styles of R&B music
- The diversification of R&B music across different regions and demographics
- The advancement of technology and its impact on R&B music production and distribution
One of the most significant changes in R&B music since the 1990s is the fusion of R&B with hip-hop.
Hip-hop culture has influenced R&B music in terms of beats, samples, lyrics, attitude, fashion, and lifestyle.
Many R&B artists have collaborated with hip-hop artists or incorporated rap elements into their songs.
Some examples of this fusion are Mary J. Blige’s Real Love (1992), which features a sample from Audio Two’s Top Billin’, TLC’s Waterfalls (1994), which features a rap verse from Left Eye, R. Kelly’s I Believe I Can Fly (1996), which features a rap intro from Jay-Z, Mariah Carey’s Honey (1997), which features rap verses from Puff Daddy, The Lox, and Mase, Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998), which showcases her singing and rapping skills, Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name (1999), which features a rap verse from Timbaland, Usher’s Yeah! (2004), which features rap verses from Lil Jon and Ludacris, Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love (2003), which features a rap verse from Jay-Z, Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind Part II) (2009), which features a rap verse from Jay-Z, and Drake’s One Dance (2016), which features a rap verse from Wizkid and Kyla.
Another change in R&B music since the 1990s is the emergence of new subgenres and styles of R&B music that reflect the diversity and creativity of the genre.
Some of these subgenres and styles are:
- Alternative R&B: A fusion of R&B with alternative rock, indie, electronic, and experimental music. Some examples of alternative R&B artists are Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, SZA, FKA Twigs, James Blake, and Solange.
- Christian R&B: A fusion of R&B with gospel and contemporary Christian music. Some examples of Christian R&B artists are Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, and Fred Hammond.
- Contemporary R&B: A fusion of R&B with pop, hip-hop, funk, disco, and electronic music. Some examples of contemporary R&B artists are Usher, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, and The Dream.
- Doo-wop: A style of vocal harmony-based R&B that originated in the 1940s and 1950s. Some examples of doo-wop groups are The Platters, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Flamingos, and The Shirelles.
- Funk: A style of dance-oriented R&B that emphasises a strong rhythmic groove and a prominent bass line. Some examples of funk artists are James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, and Prince.
- Motown: A style of soulful R&B that originated in Detroit in the 1960s and was characterised by a polished production and a crossover appeal. Some examples of Motown artists are The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.
- New Jack Swing”: A fusion of R&B with hip-hop and dance-pop that originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Some examples of new jack swing artists are Teddy Riley, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat, Bell Biv DeVoe, Boyz II Men, and TLC.
- Quiet Storm: A style of smooth and romantic R&B that originated in the 1970s and was influenced by jazz and soul. Some examples of quiet storm artists are Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Sade, and Maxwell.
- Soul: A style of expressive and emotional R&B that originated in the 1950s and 1960s and was influenced by gospel and blues. Some examples of soul artists are Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, and Al Green.
R&B music has also diversified across different regions and demographics since the 1990s. For instance,
- In the UK, R&B music has been influenced by genres such as garage, grime, drum and bass, dubstep, and Afrobeat. Some examples of UK R&B artists are Craig David, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith, Emeli Sandé, and Jorja Smith.
- In Canada, R&B music has been influenced by genres such as reggae, dancehall, soca, and pop. Some examples of Canadian R&B artists are Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez, and Alessia Cara.
- In France, R&B music has been influenced by genres such as raï, zouk, hip-hop, and pop. Some examples of French R&B artists are Khaled, Zaho, Stromae, Aya Nakamura, Dadju, and Maître Gims.
- In South Korea, R&B music has been influenced by genres such as K-pop, hip-hop, EDM, and ballads. Some examples of South Korean R&B artists are Dean, Crush, Zion.T., Heize, Taeyeon, and Baekhyun.
Finally, R&B music has changed since the 1990s due to the advancement of technology and its impact on music production and distribution. For instance,
- Digital audio workstations (DAWs) have enabled R&B producers to create complex beats, loops, samples, effects, and synthesisers using software. Some examples of popular DAWs for R&B music are Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Ableton, and GarageBand.
- Streaming platforms have enabled R&B artists to reach a wider and more diverse audience and bypass the traditional gatekeepers of the music industry. Some examples of popular streaming platforms for R&B music are Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, Tidal, and Pandora.
- Social media platforms have enabled R&B artists to interact with their fans and promote their music and brands. Some examples of popular social media platforms for R&B music are Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Is R&B music dying or evolving?
R&B music is not dying but rather evolving. R&B music has always been a dynamic and adaptive genre that reflects the changing times and tastes of its listeners.
R&B music has also always been a diverse and inclusive genre that welcomes different influences and expressions from various cultures and backgrounds.
R&B music is not a monolithic or static genre but rather a living and growing musical tradition that continues to innovate and inspire.
Some of the signs that R&B music is evolving are:
- The emergence of new R&B stars and talents that are pushing the boundaries of the genre and creating their own unique styles and sounds. Some examples of these new R&B stars are H.E.R., Summer Walker, Snoh Aalegra, Ari Lennox, Daniel Caesar, Giveon, Jhené Aiko, Kehlani, Khalid, Ella Mai, Doja Cat, and Lizzo.
- The recognition and appreciation of R&B music by critics and awards. For instance, in 2021, H.E.R. won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe”, a powerful R&B song that addresses racial injustice and police brutality. In 2020, Lizzo won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for “Cuz I Love You”, a genre-bending R&B album that celebrates body positivity and self-love.
- The collaboration and crossover of R&B music with other genres and artists. For instance, in 2021, Silk Sonic, a duo composed of Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak, released Leave the Door Open, a retro-inspired R&B song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2020, Justin Bieber released Intentions, a pop-R&B song that features rapper Quavo.
What Are Some of the Best Contemporary R&B Songs and Artists to Listen to?
If you are looking for some of the best contemporary R&B songs and artists to listen to in 2023, here are some suggestions:
- Good Days by SZA: A dreamy and soulful R&B song that showcases SZA’s vocal range and lyrical prowess.
- Damage by H.E.R.: A smooth and groovy R&B song that features a sample from Herb Alpert’s Making Love in the Rain and a rap verse from Bryson Tiller.
- Body by Summer Walker: A sensual and seductive R&B song that highlights Summer Walker’s sultry voice and minimalist production.
- I Want You Around by Snoh Aalegra: A romantic and nostalgic R&B song that evokes the vibe of classic soul music with a modern twist.
- BMO by Ari Lennox: A funky and catchy R&B song that pays homage to Baduizm-era Erykah Badu with its playful lyrics and infectious chorus.
- Best Part by Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.: A beautiful and heartfelt R&B duet that showcases the chemistry and harmony of Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.
- Heartbreak Anniversary by Giveon: A melancholic and soulful R&B song that narrates the pain of remembering a lost love.
- BS by Jhené Aiko feat. H.E.R.: A sassy and confident R&B song that features a catchy chorus and a rap verse from H.E.R.
- Can I by Kehlani feat. Tory Lanez: A sexy and explicit R&B song that samples Aaliyah’s Come Over.
- Talk by Khalid: A catchy and upbeat R&B song that talks about the importance of communication in a relationship.
- Boo’d Up by Ella Mai: A sweet and infectious R&B song that expresses the feeling of being in love.
- Say So by Doja Cat: A fun and funky R&B song, blending disco and pop elements, and became a viral hit on TikTok.
- Juice by Lizzo: A vibrant and empowering R&B song that celebrates self-love and body positivity.
Conclusion
R&B music is a rich and diverse musical genre that has a long and influential history.
R&B music is not dying but rather evolving with the changing times and tastes of its listeners.
R&B music is a living and growing musical tradition that continues to innovate and inspire.
R&B music is a genre that deserves respect and recognition for its contribution to the culture and the music industry.
If you are looking for some of the best contemporary R&B songs and artists to listen to in 2023, you can check out our playlist below or on Spotify. Enjoy!
