Big blog #1: Origins of R&B

 A few months ago, I stumbled upon a playlist on Spotify that consists of 262 songs (18hrs) of older R&B from the 90s/2000s era. Desperate for a change in pace from my usual playlists, I put it on shuffle and was genuinely surprised with the outcome. A majority of the songs I already knew and they all brought back so much nostalgia for my childhood. I have created several playlists of my own since, and have been immersed in this specific genre for some time. Now, as for the origin of R&B, I had to do a bit of digging to see where it all began. 

Where it Began 

The more commonly used acronym R&B meaning Rhythm and Blues originated in the 1940s as a general umbrella term for all African American music at the time. After going through several articles, I found some intriguing bits of history on how this came to be. A rough summary; Around 1940 to 1950, there was a migration of African Americans from southern areas to urban areas such as Detroit and East New York. This influx spawned a new scene where music and other various art forms would flourish. “The term Rhythm and Blues was first used in 1948 by RCA Victor Records as a board label for all African American music”(RhythmandBlues). Popular artists of the time include Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday It was used to refer to jazz, blues, etc. As the times have changed, the term has been shortened to R&B and evolved into the root of several subgenres and new sounds.

Louis Jordan - Let the Good Times Roll

                     Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack

More background on the earlier uses of the term, “it was used to describe a music style that developed after WWII, a combination of pop, gospel, blues and jazz with a strong backbeat”(Rhythm and Blues).  Although the sounds of R&B have transformed over the years, the meaning of the genre hasn’t changed much. It is still an umbrella genre for a diverse range of African American musicians today. 

Deep Dive Into Music Style 

Rhythm and Blues, circa 1940s-60s can be summarized into small groups or one person with typically strong vocals in combination with a complex, or sometimes simple, supporting rhythm. The songs of this time all have a similar beat/sound to them as it was on the rise and several new artists were emerging each year. The theme of these songs varies greatly, however, almost all are like stories being told to an audience when performed live. The musicians of this time took inspiration from older gospel singers and other black musicians before them. 

                      Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit

This took a turn around the 60s-70s, Soul emerged which was considered a form of R&B. The structure of the music was still similar, yet a whole different sound emerged. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, etc became popular and dominated the charts. The genre became more upbeat and adapted to the times. 

                  Stevie Wonder - Living for the City

                   Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough

As for the 90s and 2000s, I will dedicate my next section because it is my absolute favorite. 

ICONS!: R&B of the 90s/2000s

In the 90s, music was hot! Hundreds of artists/groups were making music and rarely was any of it bad (personal opinion, sorry). Now that that’s out of the way, This genre evolved and overlapped with several others and had subcategories of its own. Not only was it taking off, but so was hip-hop, rap, etc. Artists such as Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, Boyz II Men (I could name them all day) really left their mark on the genre and started a new wave of R&B. 

                      Destiny’s Child - Jumpin' Jumpin'

                       Boyz II Men - End of the Road

They carved the way for the musicians of the 2000s, the overarching feel for the genre of the time is very specific. I can’t describe it, turn on a song from this era and you’ll just know that’s from the 2000s. All the beats are groovy, upbeat, and the female artists/groups were dominating. Even the music videos were like short films as if there was a story to every song. 

Usher - U Remind Me 

                             Ciara - Like a Boy

Modern R&B

Today, this genre is still thriving and accounts for a plethora of African American Artists. The music videos have only gotten better, as well the music. Even though it has grown a great deal from its roots, it hasn’t strayed far from its overall sound and theme. The lyrics are more generally about love now, but the music still maintains that strong beat throughout the song. The genre still tends to overlap with a lot of others, so while there are artists who are specifically r&b it's much broader now. A few examples of those who influence the genre today are Giveon, SZA, Daniel Caesar, etc. 

                           Giveon - Like I want You

                             SZA - Broken Clocks

                        (couldn't embed music video)

               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVc-K1kKkVk

                        Childish Gambino - RedBone

Wrapping Things Up

I hope reading this blog, you were just as immersed as I was writing it. I had no idea the origins of the genre beforehand so this was really interesting for me to write about. I feel like my connection with the music has deepened. My links do a deeper dive into the topic, I definitely recommend checking them out. Genuinely, so happy I clicked that playlist because it took me on a musical journey.

Rhythm and Blues

Tell It Like It Is: A History of Rhythm and Blues

The Evolution of R&B

Work Cited