5/30/2019 Rhythm and Blues - Google Docs

Alan Martinez

Matranga

U.S. History

Brandes

5/22/19

The Evolution of R&B Music

Ever since the term “race music” was redefined as the genre of Rhythm and Blues (R&B) by

1949, the genre evolved not only in the english lexicon, but also in the world of music. The evolution of

music is a process that can both take decades or months; however, in the case of R&B, how has it

evolved? Prince’s Sign O’ The Times and Frank Ocean’s Blonde serve as two perfect examples to

analyze.

Prior to the much needed name change, the R&B genre demographically consisted of black

youth by 1950 as it still does today. The genre was born out of “Rhythm” and “Blues”. “Rhythm”

includes four-beat measures, and the liberal use of a backbeat. The “Blues” includes melancholic lyrics

or melodies, perhaps both. In 1930 R&B was a term yet to be introduced, but the genre existed as a

“blues-influenced form of music”, as stated by Mark Edward Nero on ThoughtCo.’s article, The

Origins and History of R&B Music. The pseudo-genre was later redefined as “Rhythm and Blues” for

marketing purposes. This, however, didn’t alleviate the pseudo-genre status it had acquired as the genre

remained to be referred to as “a bunch of love songs”. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when R&B expanded

into other genres and coined itself to be a blanket term.

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When referring to the R&B genre, it’s important to note that the genre can be vague at most

times. R&B is a blanket term; it’s composed of many genres and their elements as it does tend to

borrow a lot from soul, funk forms, blues, jazz, and pop. In the 21st century the blanket genre is used to

“loosely define most sung African-American urban music”, as stated by Nero. Although the vagueness

of R&B is self-evident, it doesn’t subtract from the newfound specificity it acquires when incorporated

with its contemporary genres.

The analysis of Prince’s and Frank Ocean’s most-creative albums can expose the sheer aptitude

of R&B:

Prince’s Sign O’ The Times released in 1987 and was on track to solidifying itself as his

most diverse project yet. Pitchfork’s review states, “ Sign O’ The Times is the most varied,

accomplished record of his prime 1980’s period, a testament to the range of his gifts and bold

artistic ambition that gave his music shape.” Focusing on the term “bold artistic ambition”,

Pitchfork couldn’t be more accurate. Prince’s ambition prospered on Sign O’ The TImes as no

limitations were in place to inhibit his genius. The unrestricted Prince incorporated rock and

electro-funk elements into his ballads. On “The Cross” Prince leads the song with a somber

tone and minimal instruments, but as the song progresses the tone shifts completely as military

drums and distorted guitars take over. The same can be said about “Play in the Sunshine” as

Prince allows it to transition into a rockabilly guitar strut. Tracks such as “The Ballad of Dorothy

Parker” and “Hot Thing” utilized heavy and murky 808 bass, and the Linn-M1 drum machine.

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Sign O’ The Times is famous for its diverse catalog, but what shines most is Prince’s bold

artistic ambition that pushed and innovated the world of R&B through genre mixing. Something

similar can also be seen in Frank Ocean’s album, Blonde.

After the long awaited release of Frank Ocean’s Blonde in 2016, the album was

immediately appraised as Frank Ocean’s best work. Blonde combined minimalistics

instrumentals, complex lyricism, and emotional vocal deliveries into a 1 hour album that doesn’t

fall short to repetition. Blonde features elements of trap and the contemporary style of R&B

which can be heard throughout the album. “Nikes” begins with a moody and spatial

back-melody, followed shortly by hi-hats, snares, and kicks. “Nights” is the most

trap-influenced track on Blonde as it features a sung rap verse and the signature trap beats.

Tracks such as “Solo” and “Seigfried” embrace the contemporary style of R&B which includes

spatial, slow, and melodic instrumentals. “Seigfried” begins with a distant electric-guitar

producing a moody and contemplative melody; a melody that’s empty and only used as a

backdrop for the occasional techno-like sound effect. “Godspeed” is another example where

the instrumental is stark and minimalistic by only utilizing an organ. Blonde may not be as diverse

as Sign O’ The Times or sonically complex, but Frank Ocean pushes the boundaries with his

minimalistic instrumentals and bold artistic ambition.

In terms of content matter, Prince and Frank Ocean share the same topics. Common

themes in Sign O’ The Times include: spirituality, nostalgia, yearning for human connection,

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youth, transcendence, and devotion. Many of the themes can also be seen in Blonde other than

mortality and loneliness.

R&B is a blanket term. Prince’s Sign O’ The Times integrates R&B with electro-funk, some

pop, and rock elements; and Frank Ocean’s Blonde combines R&B with a plethora of genre specific

elements. On its own, R&B is merely a basis for artists to experiment and create art at their free will.

The same can be said about other genres, but R&B promises to forever remain the same and evolve

with each decade, to never reach a point of repetition as long as people have Bold Artistic Ambition.

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