R&B
Contemporary R&B, known simply as R&B, is a music genre popular in the USA. 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.
Birth: 1949 Bloom: 1994
R&B combines elements of soul, funk, dance music, and hip-hop (as the result of the emergence of new jack swing in the late 80s). The abbreviation «R&B» is often used instead of the full definition of rhythm and blues, but some sources refer to the style as urban contemporary.
Contemporary R&B has a polished record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, and a smooth lush style of vocal arrangement. Although the usage of hip hop or dance-inspired beats is typical, the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop may be reduced and smoothed out. There is a popular, but wrong and comic theory that the term Contemporary R&B means «rich and beautiful».
R&B artists of the decade are still topping the global pop-charts. Among them attention should be paid to Britney Spears, Usher, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Mary Jane Blige, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Akon and many others.
Such artists as Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D., The Neptunes), Kanye West, Timberland or young artists like Drake and The Weekend considerably expand the horizons of the style making it one of the most ideologically rich movements. They use latest technologies and wisely combine limitless possibilities of studio production with quotations from old achieve records.
Umbrellate style: Hip-hop/Rap
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