Rhythm and blues (abbreviated as R&B) is a genre of popular music that originated in the mid-20th century and has evolved continually since its inception. It emerged from the sonic tapestry of a distinct ethnic minority community, melding influences from traditional folk music, urban pop, and a contemporary sensibility of melody and storytelling. R&B features soulful voices, complex harmonies, and deeply emotional narratives. It was a driving force behind the evolution of widespread popular music, setting the stage for countless artists' innovations in voice, instrumentation and production.
Progenitors of R&B can be traced to folk singers who sang in the style of ancient traditional ballads from their ethnic heritage combined with contemporary urban beats. As early as the mid-1950s, a handful of artists began to adapt and update this music for a new generation of listeners. String instrumentalists such as guitarists and bass players became an integral part of ensembles, using finger-pricking, plucking, and strumming techniques to enrich the backdrop for vocalists. As the genre grew, larger horn sections and a boisterous rhythm section (comprised of drums, piano, and percussion) took center stage, emphasizing rhythm and harmony over melody.
Seminal artists like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles collaborated with Motown music engineer Berry Gordy, honing the sonic qualities that would become the trademarks of the genre - reverb, delay, and compression effects, polished production, and rich male and female voices. This combination of elements went on to define the heart of R&B music and was eventually adopted by mainstream pop acts, as well as upcoming genres like rock and roll and soul music.
Many contemporary music legends trace their musical lineage to the golden age of R&B, from the early 1960s to the 1980s. Groups such as The Supremes and The Temptations emerged, captivating the world with powerful vocals and mesmerizing harmonies. In the decades that followed, R&B's sound expanded into the ostentatiousness of funk, disco, and neo soul, with innovators like James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Maxwell shaping the genre's evolution.
Several artists have played an indispensable role in propelling R&B to its current prominence. Notable artists include Queen Latifah, SWV, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ron Isley, Alicia Keys, and Erykah Badu. These artists' influence stretched beyond the R&B genre, traversing into hip hop, neo soul, and even house music.
The genre has influenced larger trends in the global pop music landscape for decades, paving the way for the rise and evolution of numerous new subgenres. Notably, R&B has been the foundation for the development of neo soul, quiet storm, hip hop soul, urban contemporary, and new jack swing. The sound and style of R&B can be seen and heard in the work of modern international artists, including K-pop groups such as BTS, EXO, Blackpink, and many more.
Moreover, the genre has impacted contemporary musical theater and even Hollywood, with prominent original cast recordings like the Dreamgirls soundtrack and film adaptations such as Straight Outta Compton, The Bodyguard, and the Ray Charles biopic Ray.
Today, artists like Khalid, Bruno Mars, H.E.R., and Daniel Caesar continue to push the envelope of R&B, infusing the genre with eclectic influences from other music styles, often adding a globalized dimension to its composition and execution. Modern R&B production calls upon cutting-edge technology, enabling vocalists to immerse audiences in a rich, well-rounded audio experience.
This genre's continued appeal is a testament to its initial innovators and those who have followed in their footsteps. From the streets of its origin to modern-day global pop culture, R&B remains an important and influential musical force, constantly shaping and evolving the broader world of popular music.
