R&B

Rhythm and Blues music, or R&B music, was originally termed "race music" and basically included any form of music intended for black audiences. A combination of jazz, gospel, and blues, the term "R&B" was originally coined in the late 1940’s in the United States to be used as a less offensive marketing term. While R&B music has evolved over the years to spawn contemporary genres of R&B sounds, the original genre focused on boogie rhythms and included such famous acts as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. The end of World War II produced a surprising call for race music, and the R&B music genre took off as a result. Today’s contemporary R&B music has a distinctly different sound than its forebears, focusing on pop beats and culture rather than the blues, gospel and jazz sounds of previous generations (though those elements are still sometimes present). In the late 1940’s and into the fifties, R&B groups consisted of brass instruments and woodwinds, as well as drums, piano and vocals. These elements were common in jazz bands, but R&B musicians produced a heavier sound with a steady beat. As the fifties progressed, the genre became notable for its sexually suggestive lyrics and provocative dancing associated with it.

R&B: Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Earth Wind and Fire, The Five Stairsteps, Lenny Williams, Donny Hathaway, The Isley Brothers, R. Kelly, Nate Dogg, Usher, Dwele, Alicia Keys, Tyrese, Robin Thicke, Joss Stone, Carl Carlton, Bootsy Collins, Chuckii Booker, Kem, Floetry, Sade, Eric Roberson, Gerald Levert, Teena Marie, Silk, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Jean Knight, Alfonzo Hunter, After 7, Atlantic Starr, The O' Jays, Percy Sledge, Don Covay, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luther Vandross, Kenny Lattimore, Smokey Robinson, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Brenda Holloway, Ciara, Beyonce, Aaliyah, En Vogue, Ginuwine, TLC, Jagged Edge, Boyz II Men, Shalamar, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Sly & The Family Stone, Omarion, J. Holiday, Raheem DeVaughn, Tank, Jon B., Ray Charles, Blackstreet, Joe, John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, Lyfe Jennings, Raphael Saadiq, Ryan Leslie, Ledisi, Paula Campbell, Adriana Evans, Nneka, Kindred The Family Soul, Keyshia Cole, Lloyd, Musiq Soulchild, Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat, Jodeci, Leon Haywood, Changing Faces, Avant, Brownstone, Barry White, Mario, Curtis Mayfield, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Bell Biv DeVoe, Jamiroquai, The Impressions, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, Ben E. King, Bill Withers, Isaac Hayes, Carl Thomas, Dru Hill, The Brothers Johnson, Bobby Valentino, PJ Morton, Steve Arrington, The Dream, Keri Hilson, Erykah Badu, Loose Ends, Montell Jordan, I-15, Ray J, and Gnarls Barkley.

by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 2, 2010

alternative r&b

Alternative R&B is the Sound of Neo Soul combined with Contemporary R&B influenced by Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz,Blues and Dance Musical Themes...

The Sound of Alternative R&B takes Raw Emotions, Style, Culture, Vintage Retrospection and blends with the melody of your Spirituality

Alternative R&B is exclusive to the Eclectic and Creative Musical Artist who dares to be Different, Unlabeled, Transparent and Confident while baring their souls within the Craft of every song

I love all kinds of music but Alternative R&B is my favorite.

Frank Ocean, Jhene Aiko, Miguel, SZA, Dawn Richard, H.E.R, Kehlani, Kahlid, 6lack, and Daniel Ceaser are all Alternative R&B Artist

Alternative R&B blends the sound Neo Soul, Hip Hop, R&B, Dance and Rock musicals genres into a unique wave of lyrical content/production.

by santiagosoulvibes April 23, 2018

R&B/Soul

R&B/Soul is a broad category that encompasses much of non-sacred African American music. Its reach spans from the early vocal hits by Sam & Dave such as "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man" to Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" to the mid-1970s radio-ready soul/pop of the Delfonics' "Didn't I Blow Your Mind" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," and all the way to the modern R&B of Beyonce and Usher. The category is united by emotive vocals, hints of funk and, of course, ample doses of pure, impassioned soul.

R&B/Soul: Earth Wind and Fire, The Five Stairsteps, Marvin Gaye, Lenny Williams, Donny Hathaway, The Isley Brothers, Dwele, Chuckii Booker, Kem, Floetry, Silk, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Jean Knight, Will Downing, Brian McKnight, Sly & The Family Stone, Avant, Ray Charles, Akon, R. Kelly, Nate Dogg, Usher, Carl Thomas, Dru Hill, Bobby Valentino, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Jagged Edge, TLC, Ciara, Beyonce, Aaliyah, Alfonzo Hunter, After 7, Atlantic Starr, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, Whitney Houston, Omarion, J. Holiday, Raheem DeVaughn, The Dream, Keri Hilson, Tyrese, Joe, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Lloyd, Musiq Soulchild, Montell Jordan, I-15, Lyfe Jennings, Mario, Ray J, and Gnarls Barkley.

by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ October 6, 2009

Ringtone R&B

R&B music that lacks soul and emotion and has similar to ringtone rap. Lots of pop and hip-hop elements and usually sings about "ma shawty", "ma boo" with a random Ayyyyy.

The Dream is ringtone R&B. Joe is real R&B.

by Kyle 230 December 7, 2009

B&R

It's another form of saying Based and Redpilled

Man: Grandpa's talking about the bankers again.....
Man 2: B&R grandpa

by A Jolly Wanker July 31, 2019

R&B

"Rhythm and blues" - upbeat, funky music that started in the 60s with the Motown era. Has really gone downhill since then.

Ashanti, Destiny's Child... where has the LIFE gone?

by Alianne September 13, 2003

Nipple to Breast Ratio (N.B.R.)

The ratio the areola to breast, in which the breast will be judged upon.

Jenny had bad N.B.R. because her nipples were the size of dinner plates.

by JoeVandal September 8, 2003