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R&B
- 2. BACKGROUND OF R&B Stylistic Origins: Blues, Jazz, Gospel Cultural Origins: 1940’s – 1950’s, United States Variations/Sub-genres: Contemporary R&B, Smooth jazz, Neo soul Brief outline of the genre: Rhythm and Blues also known as simply R&B, is a music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance. Usual Lyrical Content: Within this genre lyrics are usually based on everyday life focusing on the effects of relationships, work and drinking on a persons life Usual Instruments: Drum kit, bass guitar, saxophone, horns, piano, organ, electric guitar, vocals, background vocals Famous Artists similar to our unsigned artist: Ashanti, Whitney Huston, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys
- 3. FAMOUS R&B ARTISTS Both Mariah Carey and R. Kelly are worldwide recording artists associated with the R&B genre and its build in popularity in the 21st century. R. Kelly: Due to his highly recognised songs such as ‘Ignition’, R.Kelly has been credited for helping redefine R&B and hip hop, earning the nicknames "King of R&B" and "King of Pop-Soul". Labelled as the most successful R&B artist in history, R.Kelly is said to have put R&B on the map for his contribution to the genres slow and fast tempo music categories. Mariah Carey: Mariah Careys song ‘We Belong Together’ placed a pin in the R&B genre community as it was labelled “Song of the Decade” and had put the genre back in the spotlight when it was thought to slowly descend back.
- 4. CONVENTIONS OF THEGENRE In terms of males and females, within this genre it is common to see the male sex topless whilst the female sex wears minimal clothes. These are done in order to appeal to the genres predominately female audience whilst also pandering to its small male audience. Often split into two types of tempo fast and slow. Each of these tempos have their own narrative outlining; with fast tempo music videos usually centralised around partying and fast cars whilst those with slow tempo often refer to heartbreak. Lyrics focus heavily on the themes of triumphs and failures in terms of relationships, freedom, economics, aspirations, and sex. Usually female artists are often portrayed as soft goddess type people in their videos, however in recent years women have been shown to be strong and powerful than men breaking the typical stereotype.
- 5. CONVENTIONS OF THEGENRE The music usually follow predictable patterns of chords and structure making creative practise less about ‘sudden bursts of innovation’ and more about the ‘continual production of familiarity’, as theorised by Negus. Within this genre songs are usually three to four and half minutes in length The beat and melodies tend to rather simple with most focus being on the lyrics of the song.
- 6. TARGET AUDIENCE A majority of R&B fans are teenagers/ young adults aged between the ages of 13-25. This may be due to the genres explicit lyrics in some of the songs. A majority of this age group as stated in my previous slide, are of the female gender. This may be due to the fact that female R&B artists stereotypically make songs about being in love or heartbroken – this is something that would appeal greatly to teenage girls and young adults. The target audience of males is predominately female as well. This is due to their sexualised portrayal within music videos. Females will find this appealing because usually they will also be physically attracted to the male artist. However some males will be attracted to the jewellery, naked women and depiction of wealth in these videos. Though the ethnic group of the R&B genre audience is predominately black. This may be due to a large sum of artists being black with lyrics referring to the struggles of life as a black person when not about love. Target Audience Males