Contemporary R&B emerged in the late 1980s combining elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, hip hop, dance, and pop. It originated from traditional R&B, which categorized music aimed at the urban African American market in the 1940s. Major influential artists in the development of contemporary R&B included Motown label artists like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes in the 1960s as well as Michael Jackson in the 1980s. Leading R&B artists of the 1990s-present that achieved commercial success include Usher, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Bruno Mars.

2. CONTEMPORARY R&B
• Contemporary R&B music combines
elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk,
hip hop, dance and pop.
• The term R&B originates from the
traditional genre ‘rhythm and blues’.
• Today, the term refers to a genre of music
originating in USA in the late 80’s, after
funk and disco lost their popularity.

3. RHYTHM AND BLUES
• The parental genre to contemporary R&B,
rhythm and blues was a term first used in the
40’s to categorize music aimed at the urban
African-American market.
• In the early 50’s, blues music was frequently
included in the R&B genre.
• By the mid-50’s, the term referred to electric
blues, gospel and soul music.
• In the 70’s, soul and funk music was referred to
as being part of the R&B genre.
• In the 80’s the R&B genre as we know it today
was born.

4. MOTOWN
• The record label (also referred to a Tamla Motown) played an early role
in influencing contemporary R&B.
• The label was largely responsible for racial integration into popular
music, as there was a time when African-Americans struggled to get
white DJs to play them and white consumers to buy or even listen to
their music.
• The ‘Motown Sound’, developed during the 1960s, was a distinct
combination of soul and pop influences. At this point, soul music was
classified as R&B.
• Marvin Gaye and The Supremes have both hugely influenced
contemporary R&B music, both of which were signed to the Motown
music label.

5. MICHAEL JACKSON
• As a child, Jackson was the youngest member of The Jackson 5, also
an act signed to the Motown label.
• Through his solo career, Jackson created hit after hit, with his album
Thriller (1982) being the best selling album of all time.
• His music videos were exceptionally influential also, contributing to the
success of MTV. The channel was relatively new at the time.
• Michael Jackson (and some of his brothers and siblings – including
Janet Jackson) not only created successful music, but was also
credited as a great performer. He has many signature dance moves,
including the anti-gravity lean in Smooth Criminal and the moonwalk.
These have been recreated multiple times in tribute to the artist.

6. 1990-PRESENT DAY
• Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, both R&B artists, were ranked as the
two most successful artists of the 90’s.
• According to Billboard, the most commercially successful R&B acts of
the 2000s include Usher, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Beyonce, Amy
Winehouse and Ne-Yo.
• It was during these decades where R&B music took precedence in
popular music, with some of the most successful artists having R&B
musical influences.
• More recently, artists such as Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Bruno
Mars and John Legend have also reached success as R&B artists.

7. WHAT MAKES AN R&B ARTIST
Through research into the music genre, I have concluded there are certain
elements that make someone an R&B artist.
• Soulful Vocals: the artist has a soulful sounding voice
• Powerful Vocals: applies mainly to females – they have a good range
and a lot of power, volume and strength in their voice
• Dance Ability: Their performances usually centre largely around dance.
If the performer themselves is a good dancer there is an emphasis on
both improvised dance ability and choreographed dance sequences.
• Backing Dancers: Those R&B artists who choose not to dance usually
have a collection of backing dancers performing behind them in a
choreographed manner.
• Piano: R&B ballads are often performed to a piano.