Rhythm and blues, abbreviated as R&B, is a genre of popular music that
originated in African American communities in the 1940s. The term was
originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed
predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane,
rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was becoming
more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the
1950s through the 1970s, the bands usually consisted of piano, one or
two guitars, bass, drums, one or more saxophones, and sometimes
background vocalists. R&B lyrical themes often encapsulate the
African-American experience of pain and the quest for freedom and joy,
as well as triumphs and failures in terms of relationships, economics,
and aspirations.The term "rhythm and blues" has undergone a number of
shifts in meaning. In the early 1950s, it was frequently applied to
blues records. Starting in the mid-1950s, after this style of music
contributed to the development of rock and roll, the term "R&B" became
used to refer to music styles that developed from and incorporated
electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music. In the 1960s,
several British rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Who and the
Animals were referred to and promoted as being R&B bands; posters for
the Who's residency at the Marquee Club in 1964 contained the slogan,
"Maximum R&B". Their mix of rock and roll and R&B is now known as
"British rhythm and blues". By the 1970s, the term "rhythm and blues"
changed again and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the
1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as "contemporary
R&B". It combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk,
disco, hip hop, and electronic music. Popular R&B vocalists at the end
of the 20th century included Prince, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Chaka
Khan, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. In the 21st
century, R&B has remained a popular genre, becoming more pop-oriented
and alternative-influenced, with successful artists including
Beyoncé, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, SZA, Robin Thicke,
Amir Tataloo, and The Weeknd.Although Jerry Wexler of Billboard
magazine is credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues" as a
musical term in the United States in 1948, the term was used in
Billboard as early as 1943. It replaced the term "race music", which
originally came from within the black community, but was deemed
offensive in the postwar world. The term "rhythm and blues" was used
by Billboard in its chart listings from June 1949 until August 1969,
when its "Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles" chart was renamed as "Best
Selling Soul Singles". Before the "Rhythm and Blues" name was
instated, various record companies had already begun replacing the
term "race music" with "sepia series".
originated in African American communities in the 1940s. The term was
originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed
predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane,
rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was becoming
more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the
1950s through the 1970s, the bands usually consisted of piano, one or
two guitars, bass, drums, one or more saxophones, and sometimes
background vocalists. R&B lyrical themes often encapsulate the
African-American experience of pain and the quest for freedom and joy,
as well as triumphs and failures in terms of relationships, economics,
and aspirations.The term "rhythm and blues" has undergone a number of
shifts in meaning. In the early 1950s, it was frequently applied to
blues records. Starting in the mid-1950s, after this style of music
contributed to the development of rock and roll, the term "R&B" became
used to refer to music styles that developed from and incorporated
electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music. In the 1960s,
several British rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Who and the
Animals were referred to and promoted as being R&B bands; posters for
the Who's residency at the Marquee Club in 1964 contained the slogan,
"Maximum R&B". Their mix of rock and roll and R&B is now known as
"British rhythm and blues". By the 1970s, the term "rhythm and blues"
changed again and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the
1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as "contemporary
R&B". It combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk,
disco, hip hop, and electronic music. Popular R&B vocalists at the end
of the 20th century included Prince, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Chaka
Khan, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. In the 21st
century, R&B has remained a popular genre, becoming more pop-oriented
and alternative-influenced, with successful artists including
Beyoncé, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, SZA, Robin Thicke,
Amir Tataloo, and The Weeknd.Although Jerry Wexler of Billboard
magazine is credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues" as a
musical term in the United States in 1948, the term was used in
Billboard as early as 1943. It replaced the term "race music", which
originally came from within the black community, but was deemed
offensive in the postwar world. The term "rhythm and blues" was used
by Billboard in its chart listings from June 1949 until August 1969,
when its "Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles" chart was renamed as "Best
Selling Soul Singles". Before the "Rhythm and Blues" name was
instated, various record companies had already begun replacing the
term "race music" with "sepia series".
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