This presentation explores the history and iconography of R&B music.

2. Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B and RnB, is
a genre of popular African-American music. 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. Concerts then would be hot
and wild, sometimes shut down.

3. By the 1950′s R&B was starting to define the sound of Rock n
Roll but 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, 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, Neo-Soul, pop and funk., also known as
Contemporary R&B.

4. From research that I’ve done exploring R&B culture, music and
entertainment magazines such as Vibe, XXL, The Source and
Billboard, I’ve seen a mass of pictures, listened to many songs and
watched music videos from key artists of the genre.

14. • Usher, alicia keys, R kely, jennifer
Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Akon,
Alexandra Burke, Alexis Jordan, Rihanna,
Beyonce, Neyo, Tinie Tempah, Robin
Thicke, JT, Chris Brown, Michael Jackson,
Mariah Carey,