1. Codes and Conventions of RnB

2. Fashion
• Men :
• RnB male singers are generally always topless to show off their masculine
figures. This is mainly because they want to attract to their female target
audience of young girls and women. Trey songz is a prime example of a
male RnB singer who is majority of the time topless, as well as many others.
• Male artists in the RnB industry are typically known to wear jeans with them
slightly hanging low so that you can see there boxers giving them that ‘cool’
look. They all tend to wear a designer belt as well to enhance their look and
some male artists wear their designer belts as a form of advertisement.
Jewellery is another feature most male RnB artists wear to show wealth and
success as an artist, again appealing to the female audience as women love
men with wealth and success.
• Tattoo’s are a big convention to a male RnB artist. Many artists have
multiple tattoos mainly on their chests if not there arms again to show
masculinity and dominance as a confident male artist.
• Unlike male hip-hop artists, RnB male singers tend to be more subtle with
their jewellery such as maybe a designer watch, chain, or an earring.

3. Fashion
• Women:
• RnB women artists are typical known for wearing minimal clothing. A lot of the time
they always have flesh on show such as cleavage and toned stomachs, this attracts to
many male fans as women are typically seen as objects of desire, but also to show them
as confident and sexy women who are proud of what they have to show.
• Hair and make up for women artists is always very well done up, dramatic and eye
catching. Their hair is always presented as being natural and perfected portraying that
they take pride in their image as an artist. A lot of female artists use quite dark colours
to do their eye make up, such as the smoky eyes effect which helps to make their eyes
more alluring catching the readers attention again emphasising this sex appeal or
desire. To portray power and pride a wide majority of female RnB artists wear seductive
colours on their lips such as red or pinks to give their image a more sensual feel which
will draw more attention to them as red is a significant and very suggestive colour.
• All female RnB artists wear high heels to enhance their legs giving them that sexy
appearance, appealing to the readers and target audience. However not all wear heels,
some wear trainers not only if its for choreography within their music videos but to give
them that quirky edge going against what a typical stereotype of a classy sexy RnB
artist.
• Jewellery is also worn by RnB artists such as diamond earrings, necklaces and bracelets
all to give these female artists that final touch of femininity and seductiveness, but also
wealth and success. However it is more men artists that are known for wearing the
jewellery such as the big chain necklaces, rings, earrings and more.

4. Iconography
• Men:
• Men RnB artists are usually muscly and topless in all of their music videos creating a sexual vibe as
this attracts to many female fans. A lot of music videos now are filmed with various effects in order to
make them more sensual to appeal to the viewers watching. Most male artists in their music videos
wear some jewellery to highlight and emphasize their wealth and authority however its mostly hip
hop artists that wear jewellery. Most male RnB artists in their music videos wear very minimal
clothing and have close ups on their bodies to show off their ‘abs’. An example of a male RnB music
video which shows off theme of sensuality is Trey Songz – love faces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzhKarW3ylo&safe=active
• In this music video Trey Songz is presented as an artist with class and wealth but also as a sexual
desire for many female viewers as he appears topless but also is seen in a smart and sophisticated
suit, presenting him in two perspectives.
• Women:
• Very much similar to the male RnB artists, women also express their sexuality through the clothing
that they wear; being very minimal. Another way female artists represent their sexuality is through
the makeup they wear and how they do their hair. Most women artists are portrayed as sexual
objects or unable to function without a man however nowadays there are many gender stereotypes
being broken in the music industry. An example of a female RnB artist that is breaking a gender
stereotype in her music video is Ciara in her video – like a boy
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HKH7Emy1SY&safe=active
• Within this music video Ciara is presented as a masculine female as she is breaking the norm of the
common stereotype of females in the RnB music industry. The mise-en-scene of this music video
shows Ciara’s costume as very manly as she wears a hat, tracksuit bottoms and a man’s vest allowing
the reader to see a different perspective of her as we usually see her as a sexual desire in most of her
videos. By her wearing this type of clothing it makes the viewers feel as if though she has done this on
purpose to maybe create a message to her fans.

5. Slow Songs
• Slow songs within RnB music usually always follow a narrative story, mainly always
with a co-star. This is a convention which is very common throughout all RnB slow
songs. In many videos of slow songs, there is always kissing and intimate scenes
this also being another key convention. The co-star featuring within the video
mainly wears minimal clothing, all these conventions are normally always found in
slow songs of RnB artists. Most slow songs in the RnB industry always base around
sex, break ups or being in love, these are mainly done by women however some
men do sing slow songs based around them ideas.

6. Fast songs
• Fast songs in RnB music, usually always consist of the artist having fun, and
enjoying themselves. You can always tell this by the colours used within the music
videos, the costumes they wear and their mannerisms. For fast songs, these music
videos are mainly choreographed. Males are shown in a wealthy light and women
are presented in a powerful one. Women generally wear minimal clothing and
most settings for fast RnB songs are set in a club scenery.

7. Settings
• RnB settings can differ to all types of settings it tends to depend on the theme of
the song whether it be a slow or more upbeat song or what the song happens to
be about. Many different artists choose different locations.
• Some artists choose locations that exemplify their wealth and status such as
Beyonce in her music video ‘Diva’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNM5HW13_O8&safe=active
• This music video has been set in what it looks like a stranded area under a bridge,
in a rural area where she stands out completely in this run down area as she struts
around in her high heel and skinny jeans. Showing that she is almost too good for
the area she has chosen to film her video in. The video then goes on to literally
make her look like an utter ‘Diva’.
• Iggy Azalea is another RnB artist who as chose her setting to make her stand out
reflecting her as an artist as well as reflecting her wealth and success as an artist.
She is an unconventional artist as she is a female rapper which is quite uncommon,
so could be portrayed as quite masculine however she is also seen as a sexual
desire through the mise-en-scene within the music video. Her clothing is very
revealing, showing various parts of her body as well as being provocative with her
actions, displaying her as a rebellious female as she breaks conventions.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zR6ROjoOX0&safe=active