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Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)
James Brown (1933-2006)
Marvin Gaye (1939-1984)
RnB and Soul
R&B, or rhythm and blues, is a genre of popular music that emerged in the United States in the 1940s. It is a combination of African American musical styles, including blues, gospel, and jazz.
The term "rhythm and blues" was originally used by record companies to describe music aimed at African American audiences, but the genre quickly gained popularity among people of all races. In the 1950s and 1960s, RnB groups like The Four Tops and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles achieved mainstream success as well as solo artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown and R&B became an important influence on the development of rock and roll.
In the 1960s and 1970s, R&B evolved into a more soulful and sophisticated sound, with artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder incorporating elements of funk and jazz into their music. This period is sometimes referred to as "classic soul" or "Motown soul" due to the success of the Motown record label, which produced many of the era's biggest hits.
The term "soul music" was first used in the late 1950s to describe this new sound, which was characterized by its passionate vocals, rhythmic grooves, and gospel-inspired call-and-response choruses. Some of the earliest soul artists included Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown, who helped to popularize the genre with their innovative recordings.
In the 1960s, soul music became more sophisticated and polished, with artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett achieving widespread success. The Motown record label, founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, became particularly influential in shaping the sound of soul music during this period, producing hits by artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes. In the 1980s and 1990s, R&B continued to evolve, with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Prince achieving unprecedented levels of commercial success. The 1990s also saw the rise of new jack swing, a fusion of R&B and hip hop that was popularized by artists like Teddy Riley and Boyz II Men.
In the 2000s and 2010s, R&B continued to be an important genre of popular music, with artists like Beyoncé, Usher, and Rihanna achieving massive success. The genre has also incorporated elements of electronic and dance music, with artists like The Weeknd and Frank Ocean creating a more experimental and alternative sound.
Today, R&B continues to be an important genre of popular music, with a diverse range of artists incorporating elements of the genre into their music.
The term "rhythm and blues" was originally used by record companies to describe music aimed at African American audiences, but the genre quickly gained popularity among people of all races. In the 1950s and 1960s, RnB groups like The Four Tops and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles achieved mainstream success as well as solo artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown and R&B became an important influence on the development of rock and roll.
In the 1960s and 1970s, R&B evolved into a more soulful and sophisticated sound, with artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder incorporating elements of funk and jazz into their music. This period is sometimes referred to as "classic soul" or "Motown soul" due to the success of the Motown record label, which produced many of the era's biggest hits.
The term "soul music" was first used in the late 1950s to describe this new sound, which was characterized by its passionate vocals, rhythmic grooves, and gospel-inspired call-and-response choruses. Some of the earliest soul artists included Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown, who helped to popularize the genre with their innovative recordings.
In the 1960s, soul music became more sophisticated and polished, with artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett achieving widespread success. The Motown record label, founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, became particularly influential in shaping the sound of soul music during this period, producing hits by artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes. In the 1980s and 1990s, R&B continued to evolve, with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Prince achieving unprecedented levels of commercial success. The 1990s also saw the rise of new jack swing, a fusion of R&B and hip hop that was popularized by artists like Teddy Riley and Boyz II Men.
In the 2000s and 2010s, R&B continued to be an important genre of popular music, with artists like Beyoncé, Usher, and Rihanna achieving massive success. The genre has also incorporated elements of electronic and dance music, with artists like The Weeknd and Frank Ocean creating a more experimental and alternative sound.
Today, R&B continues to be an important genre of popular music, with a diverse range of artists incorporating elements of the genre into their music.