Big Blog #1: R&B/Soul

    A genre of American Roots Music I wanted to take a deeper look into was Rhythm and blues. rhythm and blues originated from African Americans around the 1930s-1940s. It was first referred to as ‘Race Music’ before it was renamed r&b to help with marketing (in the 1940s). As many African Americans migrated to urban centers (northeast and midwest) this brought some spotlight to the different types of African American music styles and eventually it spread throughout the country. Genres such as jazz and the blues played a key part as the roots of r&b while other genres influenced it like rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, and folk. R&B was sort of like a way for African Americans to confront the big issue of segregation, and help the civil Rights Movement. They were able to come together and enjoy the beautiful, calming music. Many believed that r&b (also rock ‘n’ roll) were dangerous to the youth when in reality they turned r&b into an identity to portray their culture/background. 

    The typical lyric of r&b music is primarily to tell a story. As in the name, you are singing about the blues you have while adding some rhythm to it. It consists of deep emotion and many artists like to make it relatable. This is what makes many people listen to it because they are able to make a personal connection towards it.

    The vocal style of r&b makes use of vibrato and trills. Vibrato is when the voice is alternating subtly and quickly between two different pitches that are close together. Trills are similar as it quickly alternates between two notes. Artists generally vary their voice in order to reflect the message that they want to convey. They use mics which help reflect their tone of voice. Being versatile and flexible is very important in singing r&b. You must be able to sing riffs, reach top notes of the higher range, and balance out chest voice and head voice. Chest voice is thicker vocals while head voice is more thinner. It is also helpful to use a different tone while being clear and not overemphasizing every line. 

    As for instruments, earlier r&b musicians were driven by guitars and saxophones. As r&b evolved so did the types of instruments they used. More modern r&b is based around keyboards, synthesizers, and drums. Others favor acoustic pianos, electronic keyboards, software loops, and some bass. So as years passed, more and more instruments were infused into the music with the addition of more electronic devices to edit/tune up the music when it is produced. 

    As the world evolves so does r&b. In the 60s r&b was “rebranded" into ‘soul’ music, then in the 70s it went to ‘disco’, and then in the 80s to current day hip hop was infused. So as the years go on you can see many different styles of music in which they would all fall under r&b. The name r&b is just a big umbrella with multiple different branches underneath. 

    One of the earliest musicians that influenced  r&b was saxophonist Louis Jordan. He is known as the “founding father” of r&b. His structure of using jumping shuffle rhythms in a small context was copied throughout the r&b world. Jordan had music infused in his blood as his father was a music teacher. Growing up he spent plenty of time around music through playing, listening, learning, and major (for school). From 1942 to 1951 he recorded 57 r&b chart hits.

        -    Below is "Let The Good Times Roll" by Louis Jordan in 1946

    A few more early musicians were: Little Richard, Percy Mayfield, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, and Jackie Wilson. Little Richard was described as the “architect of rock and roll”. Percy Mayfield sang blues ballads in a gentle vocal style. Singer Ruth Brown has been referred to as the “Queen of r&b”. Fats Domino was one of the first few rock and roll artists to help shape the New Orleans sound. Jackie Wilson fused doo-wop, rock, and blues styles into soul music. Obviously there is a long chart of artists/musicians/singers that had their key component in shaping r&b but these were a few that I found. 

        -    Below is "Teardrops From My Eyes" by Ruth Brown in 1950

    R&B had reached its highest peak around the 90s. Some refer to this as the “Golden Age” of the genre where it had the biggest impact on society and those who listened to it. Many say that the music is the best part about being raised in the 90s. It had such a big influence on people, especially in the big cities where it is alway heard.  r&b at this time consisted of heartbreak, reminiscing over loved ones, strong friendships, rebellion, and heartwarming songs. During this time period, multiple r&b groups stormed the top charts such as: BoyZ II Men, TLC, and Destiny’s Child. FUN FACT: in 2004, 80% of the songs that topped the r&b charts were also at the top of the Hot 100 songs. 

        -    Below is "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child in 1999

    Fast forward to the current day, r&b is arguably the most popular music genre in the United States. Many still listen to songs that were released back in the 90s to early 2000s (such as myself). With artists like: Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Usher, Mariah Carey, etc., you cannot forget the classic hits when r&b was at its hottest. Now in the 2010s and on, new young artists have stormed the genre such as: SZA, Lucky Daye, Steve Lacy, Summer Walker, Ella Mai, Khalid, etc., and they are doing a wonderful job at sticking with the roots of the blues. 

        -    Below is "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys in 2003

        -    Below is "Over" by Lucky Daye in 2022

    Personally, this is my favorite genre of music to listen to. I have been influenced by my parents that grew up in the city of South Philadelphia and their close friends that would listen to the same thing. The lyrics are not very fast so you can understand it better, the beat and rhythm is very smooth, and although it is the blues I would still listen to it even if I am in a happy mood because I enjoy it that much. Overall r&b is just a very emotionally touching music genre.

        -     To end, here is my favorite current song by SZA. "Snooze" in 2022

Work Cited: 

“Early R&B Music Genre Overview.” AllMusic, https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/early-r-b-ma0000002520.

“The Evolution and History of R&B.” Sound of Life, https://www.soundoflife.com/blogs/mixtape/evolution-history-of-rnb-music.

The Golden Age Sounds of 90s R&B - WXPN | Vinyl at Heart. https://xpn.org/2022/11/28/the-golden-age-sounds-of-90s-rb/.

Mann, James, et al. “How to Sing R&B Songs – Becomesingers.com.” BecomeSingers.Com, https://www.becomesingers.com/techniques/how-to-sing-rb-songs#:~:text=Thoughts%20%26%20Additional%20Tips-,Distinctive%20Singing%20Style%20of%20R%26B%20Genre,the%20message%20of%20the%20song.

Peters, contributed by: Paula J. “Louis Jordan (1908-1975) •.” •, 20 May 2021, https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/jordan-louis-1908-1975/#:~:text=Louis%20Jordan%2C%20alto%20saxophonist%2C%20vocalist,to%20the%20popular%20music%20industry.

“R&B Music Guide: The Evolution of Rhythm and Blues - 2023.” MasterClass, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/r-and-b-music-guide.

“Rhythm and Blues  :  Popular Songs of the Day  :  Musical Styles  :  Articles and Essays  :  the Library of Congress Celebrates the Songs of America  :  Digital Collections  :  Library of Congress.” The Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/collections/songs-of-america/articles-and-essays/musical-styles/popular-songs-of-the-day/rhythm-and-blues/#:~:text=The%20term%20%22rhythm%20and%20blues,to%20secular%2C%20not%20religious%20music.

“Top R&B Songwriting Techniques and Tips to Be Aware Of.” Tunedly, https://www.tunedly.com/blog/songwritinginrhythmandblues.html.