What is R&B?

Rhythm and Blues

Published January 31, 2021, 12:00 am CDT

African-American music has had a great influence on current genres and although R&B (or rhythm and blues) isn’t easy to define, we can say that it’s had a relevant historical impact, the consequences of which we continue to feel to this day.

Basic concepts

African American music: The term was popularized by Jerry Wexler, a journalist who worked for the Billboard magazine and later became one of the most important figures in the music industry at the time. The name "rhythm and blues" would come to replace "race records", considered an offensive name.

It is not a particular style, but a set of genres: Any black music subgenre that doesn’t fall into jazz, blues or traditional gospel can be called R&B, but it obviously has strong influences from these styles. Soul, hip hop, neo soul, and early rock & roll are considered R&B successors.

The term soul came to replace R&B: Between 1964 and 1980 almost every R&B album was considered soul.

It was initially dance music: The first R&B records used to be mainly played in clandestine black music circuits. Fats Domino is an example of this. The concerts were cathartic and served as an outlet for repressed African-American to express themselves. This genre is considered rock & roll’s predecessor.

Contemporary R&B: Emerging in the late eighties, after the funk and disco music’s decline, it became mainstream (highly popular) and acquired some notable elements such as the introduction of electronics like drum machines and synthesizers, as well as fusing itself with genres as pop and electronic music.

Harmony

As it covers a lot of music, it’s difficult to categorize R&B in a simple way. There are songs following blues guidelines more closely than others, some lean on the pop side and have a more elaborate harmonic structure. Generally, we can classify them in major or minor key, like is the case with most popular music, but they’ll never have a complicated harmony as jazz does.

Gary Moore – Midnight Blues:

Common assemblies

Lead Voice and Four-Person Chorus: This is the usual doo-woop ensemble, an R&B subgenre.

The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You:

Two choristers, a trumpet, two guitars (one electroacoustic and one electric), electric bass, saxophone, drums and percussions: A lineup used by Sade’s accompanying band in their performances.

Sade – Your Love Is King:

Voice, piano, double bass, drums, electric guitar, brass section (four trombones, four trumpets, four saxophones) and a four-woman choir: This is one of Ray Charles's ensembles.

Ray Charles – Georgia on my Mind:

Voice, piano, two electric guitars, electric bass, five saxophones, a trumpet, and drums: - Fats Domino used this lineup live multiple times.

Fats Dominos – I´m Walking:

Prominent subgenera

Doo-Woop: A mostly choral music where several voices accompany the main singer. The Cadillacs and The Firebirds were this subgenre’s classic choral ensemble.

The Cadillacs - Gloria:

Soul: Besides being the term that would later replace R&B, we could say this is the evolution of the original style. Gospel elements are emphasized and used to express everyday experiences such as heartbreak and sexuality. Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and James Brown are big names in the genre. We encourage you to read our exclusive article on soul!

Etta James - I’d Rather Go Blind:

Quiet Storm: With jazz, R&B and soul elements, this subgenre relies on sweet dynamics, romantic lyrics, and a laid-back rhythm. Named after Smokey Robinson's hit. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Barry White and Sade popularized the genre.

Smokey Robinson – Quiet Storm:

Contemporary R&B: Mixing styles like funk, hip hop, pop, soul, and electronic brought a new wave of African-American creativity with artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Usher, among others.

Alicia Keys – Fallin´: