media

1. Unit 1 and 5:find a definition of chosen genre
R &B
• R&B, also known as simply R&B, is a music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance.
• Although the abbreviation "R&B" originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to
describe a style of African-American music originating after the decline of funk and disco in the 1980s.
• After this style of music contributed to the development of rock and roll, the term "R&B" became used to refer to music styles that
developed from and incorporated electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music.
• The use of hip hop or dance-inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop may be reduced and
smoothed out.
• The term Rhythm and Blues, R&B, was first used by Billboard magazine in the late1940′s. R&B was an African-American urban sound
that evolved from blues and jazz. In the late 1940′s R&B was described as rocking and jazz based with a heavy and insistent beat. R&B
was becoming popular because of it dance ability. By 1949 the term had replaced Billboard’s category Harlem Hit Parade.
• The lyrics of R&B were about everyday life. The songs were about work, sex, and drinking. Paul Williams and His Hucklebuckers
recorded “The Huckle-Buck that became a R&B hit. The song was called dirty boogie and was considered raunchy and risqué for its
time.
• Their concerts were hot and wild, sometimes shut down.
• By the 1950′s R&B was starting to define the sound of Rock n Roll. In the early fifties Little Richard started recording for RCA Records
and by the mid fifties had hits with “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally.” Fats Domino had a hit with “Ain’t That a Shame.” Bo Diddly and
Chuck Berry would influence and create beats that became mainstays in Rock n Roll.
• By the 1960′s rhythm and blues would include soul music. In the seventies disco was added to the R&B category as was funk. By the
1980′s R&B was defining music that included soul, funk, rock n roll and pop music.
• By the 90′s artists like Levert, Keith Sweat, Jodeci were taking love songs in the R&B genre to another level. Classic-Soul and vocal
harmonies were being popularized by Mariah Carey, TLC, R. Kelly, and Boyz II Men. Going into the 21st century R&B would include New
Jack Swing, Hip-hop, and Neo-Soul.
• Whitney Houston’s popularity may not fully be represented by the 5 Grammys awarded her throughout her illustrious career, and a true
testimony to the popularity and success of this amazing “diva” is that even now Whitney remains a chart topper and R&B phenomenon.
• The "Rhythm & Blues" term was created to replace the designation "race music," which until then was the standard catch-all phase
used in reference to most music made by blacks at the time. After the "race music" term was deemed offensive, Billboard began using
the Rhythm & Blues name that Wexler created.
• The meaning behind the name is this: the "rhythm" part comes from the music's typical dependence upon four-beat measures or bars
and employ a backbeat (beats two and four accented in each measure). And the "blues" portion came from the lyrics and melodies of
the songs, which were often sad, or 'blue' during the music's emergence in the World War II era. Over time the name was shortened to
R&B as a matter of convenience.