R&B Genre

R & B, also known as Rhythm and Blues, is one of the world’s top music genres combining gospel, blues, and jazz influences. The genre was made famous by African American artists, and the term ‘rhythm and blues’ was coined in 1947 by Billboard magazine’s Jerry Wexler. Before this, R & B was known as ‘race music,’ a term that originated in the African American community but was deemed offensive in the postwar world. In 1948, RCA records marketed R&B under the name ‘Blues and Rhythm.’  However, these words were reversed by Atlantic Records, the most dominant R & B label, when this genre became popular. This genre features a distinctive record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, pitch corrected vocals, and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. Usher, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey are some of the most prominent artists in the R&B genre.