Rhythm and Blues

Print available for this painting

Rhythm and Blues, mostly known as R&B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African American communities in the 1940s. Additionally, R&B combines soulful singing and a strong backbeat.

“When there’s music in your soul, there’s soul in your music.” ― Criss Jami, Healology

   

By the 1970s, the term “rhythm and blues” changed again and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. Then in the 1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as “contemporary R&B”. In fact, three historical processes provide the framework for understanding the social and cultural contexts of the development of R&B: the migrations of African Americans to urban centers surrounding World War I and World War II, and the civil rights movement.

“The culture will never be taken out of music, just as the rhythm will never be taken out of the blues.” ― Anthony T.Hincks

Rhythm and Blues Influencer

Subsequently, Billboard magazine coined the term rhythm and blues to rename its “race records” chart in 1949, reflecting changes in the social status, economic power, and musical tastes of African Americans. In its first manifestation, R&B was one of the predecessors to rock and roll. For it was strongly influenced by jazz, jump blues and black gospel music. Alternatively, it also influenced jazz in return; rhythm and blues, blues, and gospel combined with bebop to create hard bop. Additionally, R&B also captured the imagination of young white audiences and led directly to the popularity of rock and roll. Even the Beatles and The Stones were basically inspired by American Rhythm and Blues.

“Everybody started calling my music rock and roll, but it wasn’t anything but the same rhythm and blues I’d been playing down in New Orleans.” ― Fats Domino

Such Georgia artists as Ray Charles, Little Richard, and James Brown rank among the most influential and innovative R&B performers. With its popularity, Rolling Stone Readers Pick the Top 10 R&B/Soul Singers of All Time. To learn more about each artist click this link Top 10 R&B Artists.

1. Ottis Redding
2. Marvin Gaye
3. Sam Cooke.
4. Aretha Franklin.
5. Ray Charles.
6. Al Green.
7. Stevie Wonder.
8. James Brown.
9. Smokey Robinson.
10. Luther Vandross.

When you sit down and think about what rock ‘n’ roll music really is, then you have to change that question. Played up-tempo, you call it rock ‘n’ roll; at a regular tempo, you call it rhythm and blues. ―Little Richard

R&B Acrylic Painting

Actuality, I am thankful for the emergence of R&B. In fact, I listen to it quite frequently. My painting titled “Rhythm and Blues” is my small token of appreciation of such talented artists and musicians who created an excellence in music genre that cannot be repeated or replaced.

Dare to Feel,

Red

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