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Musical - and

Rhythm and Blues (abbreviated to RnB) in the 1940’s in the of America. RnB evolved from Blues music but had a faster tempo and a heavier beat. A typical RnB used guitar, piano, , saxophone, drums, vocalist and bvox singers (backing vocalists). RnB often were about the American experience and the triumphs and failures in terms of relationships and aspirations.

RnB started in Chicago, New York, Angeles, Memphis and and was influenced by the civil rights movement. migrated to the bigger cities for employment purposes and began to be influential in the production of . RnB music is influenced by Gospel and music which were very popular at the time. It is also derived from which was a more ‘pop’ version of the traditional Blues.

The rhythm part of comes from the 4 beat bar found in most RnB and the emphasis on beat 2 and 4. comes from the melody line and the lyrics which were normally sad. Lyrics became more diverse as the became more popular.

RnB originated as an alternative to Blues as people wanted a genre that was good to to and good to listen to on the radio or . This is why RnB has a heavier beat and more electric instruments than Blues. RnB directly led to the popularity of Rock n Roll Music in America and became probably the most famous Rock n Roll singer of all time. One of his most famous tracks was called ‘Blue Suede Shoes and was released in 1956.

In 1960’s America RnB music began to take on more of a influence. featured large ensembles of instruments such as bass, piano, keyboard, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, trombone and backing singers. The vocal delivery of the song was emotional and used driving rhythm and drums emphasising beats 2 and 4. The bass lines were based on repeated patterns (riffs) and repeated chordal parts on the piano and guitar. was between the main singer and the backing singers and usually the songs had a simple structure of verse/chorus form. The tempo was usually around 120bpm. One of Stevie Wonder’s most famous hits is called ‘My Cherie Amour’ released in 1969. British RnB music developed in the 1960’s and started because of its popularity in America. British artists wanted to mirror the success of RnB artists in the USA. British RnB music tended to be ‘grittier’ than the genre in America and used heavier guitar riffs and less effects. The genre originated in the clubs in where the live music was growing popular. One of the most famous bands that performed in London in the 1960’s was The Rolling Stones. The Beatles started out in Liverpool and by the mid 1960’s were very successful and had sold out tours all over the world. These two British bands started out writing and performing RnB tracks but later The Rolling Stones progressed into with a much more energetic and amplified sound.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s music saw a rise a popularity both in America and the UK. It became more difficult for RnB artists to succeed and have their music heard. Some RnB artists decided to take more of a Hip Hop sound in their records and some even asked hip hop artists to collaborate with them.

In the 2000’s RnB saw a resurgence in popularity and newer artists such as , TLC, Beyonce, Alicia Keyes and Mary J Blige enjoyed success. In 2004 80% of the songs in the RnB chart also featured in the Billboard Top 100. RnB of this time was more refined and computerised with a smoother sound and less instruments. The subject content of the lyrics has not really changed, however, with RnB songs still being predominantly about the aspirations and failures of relationships. Hip Hop artists still collaborated on RnB records in the 00’s for Jay Z performed with Alicia Keyes on the single ‘’.