R&B, or Rhythm and Blues, is a music genre that has spanned over 80 decades. With its long-lasting dominance and timeless sound in the music industry, there is no doubt that this genre will continue to rock our charts and soothe our hearts for ages to come.

Originating from the blues in the late 1940s, the original forms of R&B merged jazz and gospel, while its contemporary counterpart mixes soul, funk, rhythm and blues, hip hop, dance, and pop. In the 1940s, it was famed for its heavy, insistent beat. Throughout the 1950s, the genre grew in prominence due in large part to its looser and more versatile music style, one that oozed with bouncy Motown artists and jaw-clenching soul music.

Not only is R&B famous for its mass-production and appeal across a wide swath of American markets, but R&B is also credited for its clear impact in the development of and evolution of other superpower genres such as rock & roll.

By the 1960s, different areas of the country, including urban settings like New York, Detroit, and various parts of the south, manufactured their own R&B sounds that helped to redefine the genre.

One region would produce the genre with raw vocals, syncopated rhythms, and thunderous horns while others would focus on smooth pop or even gospel sounds. By the 1970s, the genre became danceable, temporarily incorporating disco as well as including piano, drums, saxophone, bass, one/two guitars, and background vocals.

Starting in the 1980s, however, R&B transformed the face of the music industry, leaving an indelible mark as “Contemporary R&B” came onto the scene. In the 1990s, this newer version of R&B ruled audiences like a quiet storm, raging through radios and televisions in a polished, calm, and slow-groove sound. From rich vocals to drum machines and synthesizers to a saxophone beat, the genre gave a jazz feel that endeared itself to listeners.

Oftentimes, R&B vocals were recognized for their melisma, or singing in single syllable while moving between various notes. These weren’t the only sounds integrated, however, as R&B also began to embrace dance-motivated beats and hip-hop influences such as rap.

Today, R&B draws listeners in through electronic and technological innovations such as the fused, futuristic sounds of machine and computer-produced instruments. However, just as it did in each decade, the foundation for R&B remained strong, something reflected in the fact that the genre’s past remains alive and popular today.

Powerhouse R&B vocalists that you may recognize include Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Stevie Wonder. Not to be passed over are the famed leaders of early R&B including Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and the Drifters. Other singers, including James Brown and Harold Melvin & The O’Jays, also ruled the genre. More modern R&B stars include Beyonce, Usher, Boyz II Men, Marvin Gaye, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, The Weeknd, John Legend, and Janelle Monae.

Some popular R&B songs include “Gee” by The Crows, “Mess Around” by Ray Charles, “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly, “Creep” by TLC, “Bed Peace” by Jhene Aiko, and “Hold On We’re Going Home” by Drake.

From generation to generation, fans find new reasons to adore this charming genre and will continue to do so as it continues to evolve.

So, whether you or your parent is a fan of R&B or you are just looking to expand your musical tastes, open your heart to the music of one of America’s great genres and Listen Up!