After years of hearing, “R&B is dead”
... your favorite rapper’s favorite genre demands respect.
R&B doesn’t have the same sound many know and love, but the music-business-machinery has its eye on the new generation of Black singers. From SZA’s history-making success with SOS to legends like Janet Jackson and New Edition retaking the stage, R&B is proving that it can once again make money. After decades in music, Ms. Jackson - if you're nasty - reached a career-high in May 2023 by selling out Madison Square Garden less than halfway into her tour.
OG’s, such as Maxwell, Usher, Tank, Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, and more got back in the studio and dropped albums. Usher is bringing his mostly R&B catalog to the 2024 Super Bowl after an iconic Vegas residency. Y’all, even Smokey Robinson dropped an album titled Gasms! In an interview with the R&B Money Podcast, Ibrahim Hamad, President of Dreamville, made an interesting analysis. Per his observation, R&B is flourishing more than rap is. While it hasn’t ousted rap’s prominence in current music, R&B appears to be blossoming more.
According to Hamad, people desperately seek music that touches the soul. More and more new artists are sprouting up to meet that demand. And artists who've committed to R&B even when it took a backseat - like Muni Long, Coco Jones, Jozzy, and Gogo Morrow, amongst others, are successfully reaching audiences that can fully appreciate them.
Let’s step outside of artists; just look at the events that are popping up in your city. R&B Only Live, R&B Only Fest, Doo-Wop, Unplugged Sessions, Strength of A Woman Festival, R&B Karaoke, R&B brunches, R&B day parties, R&B picnics, R&B Late Nights, and so much more. For a minute, you had to lowkey go to a grown folks' lounge or a niche spot to hear mostly R&B. Now, you have a plethora of options at your fingertips.
Another indication of the genre’s increasing visibility? More public criticism from the audience!
R&B veterans, like Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown, and Guy are taking the stage, yet some people can’t help but comment on how these artists don’t have it like they used to. Ironically, many of these artists and groups have been doing shows throughout the years, but evaded this level of criticism. Janet toured in 2019, and I don’t remember so many videos scrutinizing her dancing.
That says something: More people are paying attention.
Whether or not you agree with the criticism, the constant conversation keeps the genre at the forefront. Even news on the conflict between artists is gaining traction. From alleged beef between Chris Brown and Usher to rumbles of tension between Anita Baker and Babyface, we see a magnifying glass on the ‘R&Beef’.
Speaking of conversations, platforms like the R&B Money Podcast, have given artists, songwriters, producers, executives, musicians, and more space to discuss their experiences in the business of R&B. Information is poured into listeners who want to reminisce but also strive to participate in pushing this genre to its well-deserved prominence. On the flip side, clips of DJ Vlad interviews with Teddy Riley and Smokey Robinson continue to circulate. Seasoned artists seek to capitalize on his massive audience. Social media pages such as Talk to Pops, RNB Radar, RNB Eras, RNB Music, and Okay Press Play dedicate most of their content to R&B, both old and new.
This exciting turn of events comes with abundant opportunities to release great songs, redeem unfair business exploits of the past, bridge the gap between past and current generations, and draw communities together as only R&B can.
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