R & B originates from the 1980's, the abbreviation of R & B is Rythem and Blues however since it hit maintream in 2000 it is known as Contemporary R & B. This is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, r &b and funk.
The Conventional Music and Lyrics of R n B Genre - has a polished production style, drum machine- backed rythems and an occasional saxophone-laced beat to give a jazz feel (common in Contemporary R & B) and a smooth, lovely style of vocal arrangement. Electronic beats are becoming influences and an increasing trend the use of hip hop or dance inspired beats are also typical conventions, however the harsh and grit inherent in hip hop is reduced and smoothed out when needed. Contemporary R&B vocalists are often known for their use of melisma. Melisma is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession.
Most R & B Artists are African American as this is where it originates from.
R & B Female Artists Include: Ashanti, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, JoJo, Keri Hilson, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Aaliyah, Beyonce, the Fugees.
R & B Male Artists Include: Boyz II Men, Bobby Brown, Jason Derulo, Drake, Jamie Foxx, Frank Ocean, Cee Lo Green, R Kelly.
Typical fashion and styles of R & B Male artists are:
Conventions of R & B Music Videos are that they are about both performance and narrative.
Being Topless or revealing some sort of their bodies - For example in Ushers video 'Let it Burn' he is topless in a bedroom with a female. This is to attract the female audience they are targetting.
Tattoos - Alot of male R n B artists have multiple tattoos on them and they like to flaunt them.
Jewellery - Unlike hip hop/ rap artists who wear alot of heavy chunky chains, bracelets and watches r n b artists liek to keep it subtle and wear a simple ring, watch and earring/s.
Usher Let it Burn Music Video Below:
Typical fashion and styles of R n B Female artists are:
Hair and Makeup - Hair and makeup is always bold and eye capturing, alot of blacks and golds are used to make their eyes look alluring. Red lipstick is often used to represent the dominance and power of females.
Jewellery - The typical role of the sexes has swapped round here because the females are seen wearing alot of heavy chains, massive earrings/ hoops and Lairy accessories.
Minimal Clothing - Women of R n B usuall have their stomachs or some part of their body on show, this is to attract their male audience. They are portraying themselves as objects of desire.
Clothing (Heels) - Use of high heels are shown to exaggerate he seduction of the females legs, however trainers are sometimes worn during choreographed scenes.
Iconography -
R&B videos contain very sexual actions and by using the topless men in the male R&B videos this connotes a sense of sexuality. The majority of R&B videos these days are filmed in greyscale/sepia tone which adds a sensual tone to the imagery in the video. As said earlier R&B male stars wear some jewellery but not as much as Hip Hop stars do because although they are trying to depict their wealth, a majority of the video will have close ups on their bodies and abs to express the importance of the human bodily attraction.
However, Similar to males in the R&B genre, female artists also convey their sexuality through their clothing which is very minimal as also mentioned earlier. They also place emphasis on their sexuality through their style/ fashion. R&B females are usually portrayed as soft goddess type people in their videos, but nowadays there has been a lot of gender stereotypes being broken in their videos with the females being seen as more powerful than the men, men are inferior the women.
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