R&B originated in the 1940s as a genre predominantly aimed at African Americans that described themes of pain, freedom, and aspirations. Over time, it evolved into the contemporary style heard today in artists like Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. R&B conventions include revealing clothing worn by women to attract men and expensive accessories worn by men to display wealth and authority in the industry. However, more current female artists are breaking from being overly sexualized and instead focusing on independence.

2.  R&B stands for rhythm and blues and it is most popular with African-
Americans .
 It was first introduced in the 1940s and was predominantly aimed at
African-Americans as it was during a time when a more urban jazz music
was becoming more popular.
 The lyrics that were found within the songs usually described the pain and
the thoughts of freedom and joy. The lyrics were heavily revolved around
their triumphs and failures and their future aspirations.
 Throughout the decades the style of R&B has changed electric blues to
gospel to soul music. All of these are still used today.
 In the 1980s, R&B developed into the more contempory sound that
we hear today with music artists such as Mariah Carey, Michael
Jackson and Whitney Houston being the most influential of the 20th
century.

3.  When thinking of music magazines that relate to R&B, the most
popular are Vibe, XXL and Billboard magazine. All have very
different approaches to their style but they all have typical R&B
conventions.
 As the R&B genre is currently dominating the music industry, I am
apart of the target audience and so I can see and gather what
conventions are consistently repeated. I have noticed that both
men and women follow the typical clothing and accessories guide
which allows an audience to relate back to the genre.

4.  Within the R&B genre, women appear very
sexualised with women wearing revealing
clothing. This is done so that they attract the
attention of the male audience.
 By them wearing revealing and figure hugging
clothing, it typically pleases the male reader and
ultimately attracts them to their music and
magazines which they are featured in.
 However, there are more female R&B artists now
that break that stereotypical rule of being
sexualised in music videos etc as they now tend
to cover up more and sing/rap about being an
independent woman rather than sexualising
themselves.

5.  Similarly to women, men are also sexualised in the
media within this genre as they tend to be seen
topless whilst wearing chains and watches etc.
This is done to simply show off their wealth as well
as their toned bodies and tattoos attracting the
female audiences attention
 Men are seen to have a big influence on many
people and so the things that they sing/rap about
are glamorised by these artists.
 Expensive brands tend to be put onto these artists
which gives them the extra look of authority within
the industry which again makes them appear more
glamorous

6.  After researching the R&B genre, I know how men and women are
portrayed within magazines and so I want to include more women in
my magazine, however they will be seen as more independent music
artists rather than being sexualised to attract the male audience.
 I understand that iconography is important as it helps the audience
relate the artist to the genre. For example, chains and other jewellery
as well as clothing brands makes the artist look like they have a
glamorous and luxury lifestyle.