Rhythm and blues (R&B) combines soulful singing with a strong backbeat. It evolved from blues and jazz after World War II, appealing to a younger, more urban Black audience. The lyrics often dealt with everyday topics like work, sex, and drinking. By the late 1940s, R&B began gaining popularity due to its danceability, filling the void as swing music declined in popularity.

2. The term Rhythm & Blues was first used by Billboard
magazine in the late 1940s. Rhythm and Blues, better known
as R&B combines soulful singing with a strong backbeat.
The lyrics of R&B were about everyday life such as work, sex
ad drinking. It was an African-American urban sound which
evolved from blues and jazz after World War 2. The surge of
employment during World War 2 sped up the migration of
the rural poor to cities which helped create a younger, more
urban Black audience. By 1946, the dominance of swing
music, which had lasted a decade, was fading which created
a demand for exciting dance music. Essentially, this is why
R&B began to become popular very quickly because it had a
‘dance ability’ about it.

3. JAMES BROWN
May 3rd 1933 – December
25th 2006
RAY CHARLES
September 23rd 1930 – June
10th 2004
LITTLE RICHARD
December 5th 1932 - Present

4. 1) SEXUAL CONTENT & VOYEURISM:
In music videos by male artists, most of the time females are
objectified in line with the male gaze. However, in music videos
by female artists, some choose to use the idea of being
objectified and portray it in a more positive way rather than
conform to it.
2) CHOREOGRAPHY:
Typically, R&B music videos by both male and female artists
will include some choreography. This is because dancing is
strongly associated with R&B because the beat of this genre of
songs tends to be quite fast and catchy.
.

5. 3) FASHION:
Male artists are either topless or wear very tight tops
which enhances their body and muscles. This is
because their music is mainly aimed at females and is
usually about sex.
Female artists dress in line with the male gaze. They wear
minimal or very tight clothing which emphasises their
figure in order to get the male attention they want.
However, their music is aimed more at both genders
so this choice of clothing is also for females as it makes
them aspire to look like the artist.

6. In the mid-1990s, sampling and scratching became a part of
R&B music and can be heard on urban radio stations today.
Vocal groups like TLC and solo singers such as Mary J. Blige,
Usher and R. Kelly continued the R&B tradition with massive
commercial success. By the 90′s artists like Levert, Keith
Sweat, Jodeci, and BellBivDeVoe were taking love songs in the
R&B genre to another level. Classic-Soul and vocal harmonies
were being popularized by Mariah Carey, TLC, R. Kelly, and
Boyz II Men. Going into the 21st century incorporates a
variety of styles including New Jack Swing, Hip-Hop, Rap,
Dance and Pop.