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Contemporary R&B (or simply R&B) is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music. The genre features a distinctive record production style and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement.
40 contemporary R&B songs and chart toppers that prove R&B music continues to thrive. Featuring contemporary R&B songs from the best players in 2024 and the past decade. Looking for the best new R&B songs out right now? Check out our On The Wave playlist of our top 100 new R&B releases.
- 1920s – 1940s: Jazz and Blues
- 1950s and 60s: The Golden Age of R&B
- 1970s and 80s: Funk, Disco and New Jack Swing
- Mainstream Contemporary R&B, Hip Hop Soul and Neo-Soul
The origins of R&B can be traced back to the Jazz and Blues of the 1920s and 30s. When African American musicians were performing a mixture of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel music in the clubs and juke joints of the South. Singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, sang about the hardships of life and the struggle for civil rights. Their music was raw, emot...
The contemporary sound of R&B really started to take shape in the 1950s and 60s. Crucially, during this time was the rise of doo-wop, a vocal style that relied heavily on harmonies and falsetto singing. Doo-wop groups like The Drifters and The Platters had a string of hits during this time and helped to popularize the sound of R&B. Soul music also ...
In the 1970s, R&B took a turn towards Funk. Credited as an invention of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, Funk emphasises rhythm and groove over melody. It’s characterised by heavy bass lines and percussion-led rhythms, rather than melody and chord progression. This combination gives the music a distinctly danceable, infectious feel. Importantly,...
With the popularity of New Jack Swing, came a mainstream sound in 90s R&B that heavily leaned into contemporary Hip Hop production. Dominated by the likes of TLC, then Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy label signees, Faith Evans, 112 and Mary J Blige. The term ‘Hip Hop Soul’ was originally used to describe this sound. In the late 1990s, R&B saw the emerge...
Aug 1, 2023 · Contemporary R&B Songs: A Fusion of Melodies and Beats. Contemporary R&B has evolved over the years, blending elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. This fusion has birthed a new wave of R&B songs that are both catchy and emotive. Let’s explore some of the best contemporary R&B songs that have left a mark in recent years.
Jan 3, 2024 · The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century. Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Mariah Carey, and more. By Rolling Stone. January 3, 2024. Photo illustration by Maria-Juliana Rojas. Photographs in ...
Nov 1, 2023 · Contemporary R&B, often abbreviated as R&B, is a genre that has undergone significant transformations over the years. From its roots in the African American musical tradition, R&B has evolved into a multifaceted and influential genre that continues to shape the music industry today.
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Contemporary R&B artists have reinvented the sound of R&B, keeping its soulful essence and infusing modern sonics and concepts. Cue our curated list of the 30 best R&B / Soul albums from the past decade for your listening.
