The History of R&B

R&B is the abbreviated version of Rhythm and Blues, which originated in the 1940's and is a popular genre of African American music. The term R&B has had a number of shifts in the meaning. In the 1950's the term was often associated to blues records. R&B actually contributed to the development of Rock and Roll which would not be expected as the contemporaray R&B that we listen to in todays society is completley opposite to what we associate 'rock' to be today. The term R&B refered to a style of music that incorporated electric blues, gospel as well as soul music. By the 1970s, rhythm and blues was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the 1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as "Contemporary R&B".


The 'Rhythm and Blues' genre, known today as R&B has been linked as far back as the 15th century. When the slave trade began and the African slaves weere brought over to America to work some aspects of their culture remained with them such as dancing and singing. Their cultured rhythms collided with European music which has had an effect on the development of modern music. The black church music was popular which later developed into gospel, soul and rhythm and blues music.


The artists that our target audience would now associate R&B music with are artists such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Usher and R Kelly. The older artists that are famously known by all generations are Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.


In the earlier days of R&B music the topic of songs was often cetered around love and the problems it brings or how it makes you happy. They were often focused around the artist singing to or about the opposite sex. It was more romantically inclined than nowadays. The R&B music videos we see nowadays are far more sexually inclined with risque dance routines and women in skipy clothing, R&B music videos have pushed the boundries as what is seen to be 'socially appropriate'. The music videos often feature money, alcohol, drugs, partying, cars, and of course women. This genre of music definatly relates to the escapism theory of Blumer and Katz.