So.... It's that dreaded theme many of you are not looking forward to... R&B Week. Rhythm and blues is an African American genre of music that originated in the 1940s. At the time it focused primarily on "boogie rhythms", but progressed to have emphasis on brass instrumentation, and progressed even more to focus mainly on the soulful aspects of it. Because of the dynamics of Rhythm and Blues, known more commonly as R&B, it led to the emergence many sub genres including: Rock and Roll, Soul, Contemporary R&B, Traditional R&B, Funk, Ska, and many more.
R&B has birthed a host of musical legends and icons including, but not limited to: Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Chubby Checker, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Whitney Houston, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Janet Jackson, Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Prince, R. Kelly, Mariah Carey, Patti Labelle, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, Earth, Wind, & Fire, The Supremes, Diana Ross, Percy Sledge, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Tina Turner, Ike Turner and the Ikettes, Al Green, The Isley Brothers, Isaac Hayes, The O'Jays, Babyface, Boys II Men, New Edition, Chaka Khan, The Point Sisters, Barry White, Sade, Beyonce Knowles, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blige, George Clinton, Toni Braxton, Charlie Wilson, Gap Band, Rick James, The Jackson 5, Billy Ocean, Alicia Keys, Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, Michael McDonald, Etta James, Donna Summer, SOS Band, The Deele, Usher, John Legend, ET CETERA
THEREFORE, I do not expect you to bring your stankin' asses to me and tell me you can't think of a song to submit because I'll laugh in your face and say "********!". You have plenty to choose from and if this is still too outside of your comfort zone you should consider the fact that many songs in Elvis, Bobby Caldwell, The BeeGees, and other musician's discographies fall under the very broad umbrella of the genre that is R&B.
Submissions are due February 28, 2014 at 10 PM EST. There will be 2 people eliminated next week so bring your **** and please submit on time. Capeche?
But R&B isn't really that exclusive. You have so many options. I honestly hope y'all stray away from contemporary and do some of the other sub-genres. Don't do what's expected of you.
lawmak, you will be fine. I have faith you will kill it. I'm actually excited to see how you and Clark take advantage of this week.
Aw, this was the round I was waiting for! I really had a good choice between "4 Seasons of Loneliness" and "Ribbon in the Sky"! Then, I jokingly had "Too Close" up for possibility
OR some Boys II Men.
I really was hoping you would make it to the next round Nait because I know you would've killed R&B.