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Discussion: Resurrecting R&B (Part 1)
Member Since: 4/17/2011
Posts: 9,162
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Resurrecting R&B (Part 1)
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R&B is on a respirator. Once a celebrated genre that has given the music industry some of its most praised acts (see: Luther, Whitney, Aretha, Marvin), the musical styling has unquestionably lost its identity to Hip-Hop and now Electro-Pop.
The question at hand: is R&B (as a commercially viable force) on its last breath or is revival in its future? In a three part series, That Grape Juice will analyze three sectors of the fallen genre: ladies (songstresses), males (crooners), and groups (both male and female) to determine if resurrection is in its future or if it will find permanent rest in the history books.
As always, ladies first…
Turning the dial (or Youtube search engine) back 20 years to see the plethora of female R&B acts dominating the radios and Pop charts is a stinging reminder of a time when the industry thrived on variety. From crossover acts such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson, to up-and-comers Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton (just to name a few), there was no shortage of R&B estrogen on the airwaves or charts. Not to mention such classic, yet then-active artists like Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight.
However, as Hip-Hop/R&B fusions became more of a constant (which some attribute to artists like Carey and Mary J. Blige), the junior generation of R&B diva emerged in the form of the Aaliyah’s, Brandy’s, Monica’s, and eventually Ashanti’s. Then, of course, you had that brand of 90s R&B diva (Faith Evans, Tamia, Deborah Cox and Kelly Price) who lacked crossover appeal, yet were still relevant – even if just appealing to a small niche.
But, as the 2000s rolled on and Hip-Hop was becoming the driving force of the music industry, ballads and slow jams were losing steam on the charts, and Hip-Hop was surely killing the R&B star. And while many of the time period marked Alicia Keys as a ’savior of R&B’, she was one of very few pure R&B females who was granted relevancy in an increasingly convoluted music world. Interestingly, though Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey (who by 2005 were considered veterans) were seeing some of the best numbers of their careers, the genre’s overall shortcomings were inescapable.
Then, as the Beyonce’s and the Rihanna’s of the music world began to dominate charts by willingly trading in their R&B humbling’s for Pop’ier hits, the 90s divas of yester-year who refused to succumb to the change found themselves succumbing to irrelevancy. Even those who once showed promise in the early 2000s (Amerie, Tweet, and co) were finding themselves lost in the fray. Suffice it to say, the industry at large began to suffer (see: illegal downloading, cd leaks), yet R&B’s former leading ladies seemed to fall victim most (Brandy, Monica, Mya, and eventually Ashanti).
Fast forward to 2011. Where is R&B female? Even with hints of recent reigniting of public interest (i.e. Fantasia’s ‘Back To Me’, Monica’s ‘Still Standing’), they alone are not enough to indicate a resurgence. And, even with notable record sales (given the current musical climate), those sales are marginal at best comparatively.
Record sales aside, the presence of R&B females on the Hot 100 chart recently is rarely without rapper accompaniment. There is a new class of R&B divas, however. While not reporting record-breaking numbers, the Keri Hilson’s, Kelly Rowland’s, Jennifer Hudson’s, and co. are definitely making noise. But, is it enough to resurrect the fallen genre? Or will R&B eventually rest in peace?
Do you think that there will be a resurgence of mainstream R&B females?
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http://thatgrapejuice.net/2011/07/re...ing-rb-part-1/
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Banned
Member Since: 10/26/2010
Posts: 12,889
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Good read.
I miss the individuality of the 90's when everything didn't sound the same.
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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Quote:
Originally posted by Knix
Good read.
I miss the individuality of the 90's when everything didn't sound the same. |
New Jack Swing, Hip Hop Soul, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Traditional R&B... crazy diversity.
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Member Since: 6/1/2011
Posts: 9,734
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I miss that too....but i don't think that it will change anytime soon. anything you hear is david-guetta beats (I like his music) and let's have sex and drink and **** together lyrics 
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Member Since: 7/11/2010
Posts: 1,550
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it is safe to say that thatgrapejuice.net are gonna lose a lot of contracts because of this post 
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Banned
Member Since: 10/26/2010
Posts: 12,889
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cap10Planet
New Jack Swing, Hip Hop Soul, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Traditional R&B... crazy diversity.
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Everything didn't sound the EXACT same as most pop records do now today.
Hell, pop did not sound the exact same from Britney or Christina either.
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Member Since: 4/17/2011
Posts: 9,162
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Quote:
Originally posted by ILoveUsher
it is safe to say that thatgrapejuice.net are gonna lose a lot of contracts because of this post |
Why?
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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Quote:
Originally posted by ILoveUsher
it is safe to say that thatgrapejuice.net are gonna lose a lot of contracts because of this post |
Why? 
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Member Since: 4/21/2010
Posts: 11,153
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I miss Rnb so much 
I miss old times 
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 2/19/2003
Posts: 34,484
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cap10Planet
New Jack Swing, Hip Hop Soul, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Traditional R&B... crazy diversity.
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My question is - why are certain songs NOT being sent to pop radio for adds?
It boggles my mind that Motivation hasn't been send for adds outside of Urban and Rhythmic. Sure, it might not work - but it can't hurt to try?
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Member Since: 5/21/2009
Posts: 11,151
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ace Reject
My question is - why are certain songs NOT being sent to pop radio for adds?
It boggles my mind that Motivation hasn't been send for adds outside of Urban and Rhythmic. Sure, it might not work - but it can't hurt to try?
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THIS.
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Member Since: 5/28/2010
Posts: 29,225
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I wouldn't say R&B has died but it definitely isn't what it use to be. Pop is what rules the charts now. The best way to get to the top is making a pop song. The piracy and illegal downloading issues the industry is suffering from + the lack of artist really trying to break out + the pop domination. R&B is on it's last leg....but it hasn't died.
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 2/19/2003
Posts: 34,484
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Also, and let's be honest - the vast majority of commercial "R&B" in this new century is rubbish. Melody-free, monotone rubbish.
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Member Since: 1/13/2010
Posts: 5,334
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ace Reject
My question is - why are certain songs NOT being sent to pop radio for adds?
It boggles my mind that Motivation hasn't been send for adds outside of Urban and Rhythmic. Sure, it might not work - but it can't hurt to try?
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It's a long and costly process which might not end up being beneficial if radio ignores the song
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ace Reject
My question is - why are certain songs NOT being sent to pop radio for adds?
It boggles my mind that Motivation hasn't been send for adds outside of Urban and Rhythmic. Sure, it might not work - but it can't hurt to try?
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EXACTLY. It's like they want these artists to be local. And sending a pop song to pop radio and an urban song to urban radio is NOT the same. 
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ace Reject
Also, and let's be honest - the vast majority of commercial "R&B" in this new century is rubbish. Melody-free, monotone rubbish.
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Look at the artists who sing these songs. They don't have a distinct voice or look. It's sad when Trey Songz is seen as the new face of R&B. 
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Member Since: 6/22/2010
Posts: 3,933
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ace Reject
My question is - why are certain songs NOT being sent to pop radio for adds?
It boggles my mind that Motivation hasn't been send for adds outside of Urban and Rhythmic. Sure, it might not work - but it can't hurt to try?
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It is being sent to Pop radio next week  http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mains...uture-releases
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Member Since: 7/13/2010
Posts: 4,992
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This was cute...but urban music in general will come back to the forefront of music...ppl are predicting rock to be next in line then r&b
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 2/19/2003
Posts: 34,484
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cap10Planet
Look at the artists who sing these songs. They don't have a distinct voice or look. It's sad when Trey Songz is seen as the new face of R&B. |
I can't when atonal garbage like the trash Chris Brown is putting out is considered rhythm and blues. **** outta here with that. Lloyd, Miguel ... what gives them the right to have one name? They're not Cher, Bey or Madonna. 
R&B has become SO LOCAL.
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