Summer 2021 Part 2

   

 

 

The History of R&B Part 7 (Modern R&B Music and the Finale)

 

 

 

Timeless music existed in the past, in the present of 2021, and beyond during the future. It has been a long journey of evaluating a musical genre that has changed the world in so many unique ways. I certainly enjoy to listen to many R&B songs. R&B music of the modern age has existed in the 2010's and the 2020's. During out time, we see R&B music having massive influence from soundcloud music, emo vibes, and a sense of talking about love from the perspective of introspection. Many songs now want to question love, see if love is real, or cherish love. Many examples of these melodic flow in music are shown by songs like Blinding Lights from the The Weeknd, Doja Cat's Say So, and H.E.R.'s Slide ft. YG. Currently, R&B have new people in it like Jhene Aiko, SZA, Summer Walker, Ari Lennox, Makaela, Shelley, FKA, DRAM,  Khalid, Jacquees, Sonia Stein, Tiana Major9, EARTHGANG, and other artists. Other artists of the younger generation are Leon Bridges, Kali Uchis, Normani, Tinashe, Chloe X Bailey, Bryson Tiller, Ella Mai, Koffee, Victoria Monet, Masego, Lianne La Havas, Gregory Porter, Giveon, Leon Bridges, Lucky Daye, etc. This part of the series is the finale of the history and culture of R&B music. After all of this time, I have learned so much information about artistry, about human personalities, and about wisdom. 

Typical of the these times, see the mix of hip hop and R&B along with the legendary R&B singers making a huge impact on the culture like Toni Braxton, Brandy, Faith Evans, Erykah Badu, Usher, Mary J. Blige, and other legends. Music is unique at times. For over 80 years now, R&B music has been in existence in the world. We have seen its changes from The Supremes to Whitney Houston. The soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder have inspired our minds. The sounds of Aaliyah and En Vogue made us see the views and souls of women. The voices of Boyz II Men and Zhane made people realize the diversity of living life. The music from the outstanding Mary J. Blige has made us aware of the soul of black women. Conscious messages are always presented by singer and hip hop artist Lauryn Hill too. Now, we are in the 3rd decade of the 21st century with its technological advances and social changes. Yet, the power of R&B music is still very strong. With these political times that deals with fights against police brutality (and awareness about climate change, economic situations, social changes, immigration issues, reparations, etc.), many singers are talking about conscious message involving Blackness, etc. The drum never stops, and we will continue to listen to great music in the years ahead.  

 

 

Toni Braxton and Babyface

 

Toni Braxton and Babyface have great musical chemistry spanning years and decades now. Their debut duet album of Love, Marriage, and Divorce was one of the greatest R&B albums of the 21st century and of all time. It was released on February 4, 2014 by Motown Records. It won the Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. The album is a metaphor for their friendship. They were once great friends, until Toni Braxton lost a lot of money by the late 1990's. Babyface was involved in her career. They had a very lax relationship until recently. Now, both Toni Braxton and Babyface are great friends in 2021. Every song on the album describes the complicated nature of love, marriage, and divorce. The music was recorded at Brandon's Way Recording in Los Angeles County, California. In real life, both Toni Braxton and Babyface have gone through divorces. It's a subject that both of them especially can relate to. The lead single of the album was the song Hurt You. The album was Babyface's first new studio album in 7 years, and Toni Braxton's first new album since her 2010 album of Pulse. The song Hurt You rose to the number 1 spot on Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart for four weeks. Other classic songs on the album are Where Did We Go Wrong, Roller Coaster, Sweat, etc. Tons of people have given the classic duet album positive reviews. The album was so great that Toni Braxton decided to make future albums to this day. Both artists made quality R&B music for so long, that their duet was a throwback to the songs from the 1990's. Songs were heavily written by both Toni Braxton and Babyface as both human beings are excellent songwriters. Both of the musicians have harmonies, the skills, and the charisma to advance classic songs. Music will always stand the test of time. Both artists have shown a blueprint where future musicians can rely on to express their new music for future generation to enjoy diligently. 

 

 The Diversity of Modern R&B (2010-2014)

 

By 2010, Melanie Fiona's powerful song of It Kills Me topped the chart for 9 consecutive weeks. It was a very popular song. Melanie Fiona is one of the most underrated singers of our generation. She has great talent.  Trey Songz and Drake had the bold song of I Invented Sex being on the charts in early 2010 too. Robin Thicke's Sex Therapy grew to be number one for 2 consecutive weeks. Timbaland made a song called Say Something in 2010. Timbaland is known for using experimental, futuristic sounds in his music.  On April 3, Monica's "Everything to Me" ascended to number, and remained atop the chart for a further six consecutive weeks. On May 22, 2010, Alicia Keys' song "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" topped the chart for twelve consecutive weeks. It ranked as the number one song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year end list. Usher's song "There Goes My Baby" peaked at number one for four weeks,  and ranked as the number two song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year end list.  Usher also had the song of OMG featuring hip hop artist Will.I.Am. Chris Brown's song "Deuces", featuring Tyga and Kevin McCall, topped the chart for nine consecutive weeks,  and ranked as the number nine song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year end list.  Trey Songz also topped the chart with "Can't Be Friends", a position it held for the final seven weeks of 2010. The Caribbean heritage of Rihanna was shown in her song of Rude Boy. In that same year, more R&B artists displayed their talent like Lloyd, Cee-Lo, Willow Smith (with Whip My Hair), Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan with Holding You Down (Going in Circles), Jamie Foxx, etc. Monica had classic songs in 2010 again like with Love All Over Me. Her song comes from the album of Still Standing. Monica released the album in 2010. Still Standing was one of Monica's greatest albums with nominations for tons of awards. 

 

One of the greatest albums of the 21st century was Sade's Soldier of Love which was released on February 5, 2010. That album was years in the making, and it was very much anticipated. Her album blew it out of the park with songs, messages, and dancing. Soldier of Love, Babyfather, and The Moon and the Sky were indeed songs in her album that expressed her excellent talent. The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart. It also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 502,000 copies in the United States, marking Sade's first number-one debut on the chart in 25 years since 1985's Promise while also spending three weeks at the top of the chart. Upon its release, Soldier of Love received generally positive reviews from most music critics and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The band promoted the album with their first concert tour in 10 years, Sade Live. Fantasia's song Bittersweet was one of her best songs. Fantasia by 2010 was already one of the greatest vocalists of our generation. Fantasia can sing very powerfully for real. Diddy and the Dirty Money group made Hello Good Morning. Miguel, Dondria, Maxwell,  Faith Evans, Jaheim, Kem with Why Would You Say?, Mary J. Blige, The Dream, Dwele, Teairra Mari, Eric Benet, Tank, Marsha Ambrosius, Gerald Levert, Jeremih, and other people made music during that time. 

 

Toni Braxton released her 7th studio album of Pulse  on May 4, 2010. It has many great ballads like Yesterday ft. Trey Songz, Woman, Hands Tied, Pulse, and Make My Heart. Singer and songwriter Ne-Yo worked on writing some of the songs on the album too. The album has uptempo music too. Erykah Badu's Window Seat song and video was about condemning groupthink and conformity for the sake of conformity. The video have her walking in Dallas, Texas which is her hometown. She strips all of her clothes until she is naked and mimics the shot that hit JFK (who was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963). The song Pulse from Toni Braxton is one of her best songs in the 21st century with notes, skills, and diverse sounds. You have to be one of the greats to make a record like that, and Toni Braxton is one of the greatest artists of our time. "Pretty Girl Rock" is a song by American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson, taken from her second studio album, No Boys Allowed (2010). It celebrated women entertainers spanning many decades. It is one of the greatest videos of the 21st century with a message of celebrating womanhood. An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Joseph Kahn and features Keri Hilson portraying an array of American female icons of the past, including Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, The Andrews Sisters, The Supremes, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson and T-Boz of the R&B girl group TLC. The video received positive response from critics and was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best Dance Performance at the 2011 Soul Train Music Awards. The end of the video shows Keri Hilson's image at the end. Keri Hilson's 2nd Studio album of No Boys Allowed had people in it like  Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Kanye West, J. Cole, Nelly and Timbaland. It talked about love, women's power, and other issues. Basic Instinct is the fourth studio album by American singer Ciara. It was released on December 10, 2010, by LaFace Records and Jive Records. Executive-produced by A&R agent Mark Pitts, Ciara, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Basic Instinct returns Ciara to her urban roots with mid-tempo R&B cuts and bass-heavy pop and dance songs. Aside from production by Stewart and The-Dream, Ciara collaborated with production by Soundz, Infinity and T-Minus. Ciara's album was about her responding to her critics, showing her sensual side, and her telling the world that she's a grown woman  bascially. Even in 2010, many narrow-minded people want to hate on artists for no reason. Ciara's music expanded into a new era with that album. Let Freedom Reign is the third studio album by American R&B recording artist Chrisette Michele, released November 30, 2010 on Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place at several recording studios and was handled entirely by record producer Chuck Harmony, who also co-wrote most of the album with Michele. Chrisette Michele is an artist with an old soul musically, and her voice is amazing. The album had songs like Let Freedom Reign (ft. Talib Kweli and Black Thought), Number One, So Cool, etc.

 

  

"I remember hearing Janet Jackson saying once 'With every album we grow, and we can't be afraid of it. Because we never know everything, and we learn something new every day.' " 

 

—Kelly Rowland

 

In 2011, R&B Music has changed massively. The beginning of the year had Trey Songz's We Can't be Friends being high on the charts. Fall for Your Type with Jamie Foxx and Drake was popular. Moment 4 Life was popular with the hip hop artists of Nicki Minaj and Drake. By this time, many rappers increasingly sing on records.  Chris Brown's collaboration with Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes, "Look at Me Now", topped the chart for eight consecutive weeks. Although Miguel's "Sure Thing" only topped the chart for one week, it ranked as the number one song on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year end list. Kelly Rowland's collaboration with Lil Wayne, "Motivation", topped the chart for seven non-consecutive weeks.  "Motivation" ranked at number two on the year end list. That song was part of Kelly Rowland's 3rd studio album called Here I Am. It was released on July 22, 2011. That album was Kelly Rowland's statement that she is her own woman, and this is her story. Kelly Rowland always had talent, and this album was her call out to the world about her experiences. It had pop sounds in it along with songs about love and intimacy. I heard of the song Commander ft. David Guetta. Here I Am also features guest performances from Lil Wayne, Nelly, Rico Love, Lil Playy, The WAV.s and Big Sean. Production of the album was handled by the likes of Rodney Jerkins, Guetta, Jim Jonsin, Hit-Boy, RedOne and The Runners. Kelly Rowland said that she wanted her music to be glam like the music of Donna Summer and Diana Ross. She worked with Ne-Yo too. Ne-Yo is easily one of the greatest young songwriters of this generation. 

 

The last number one of 2011 was Wale's collaboration featuring with Miguel, "Lotus Flower Bomb. On June 24, 2011, Beyonce released her 4th studio album called 4. It was a heavily R&B album that went into basics. It has party anthems, women anthem, and overall great that everyone can enjoy like Who Run the World (Girls), Party, Best Thing I Never Had, I Care, Countdown, End of Time, etc. 4 was promoted in mid-2011 by television performances and festival appearances, such as Beyoncé's headlining Glastonbury Festival set. The album received generally positive reviews by music critics; several publications included it on their year-end lists. It was her fourth consecutive album to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200, and it also reached number one in Brazil, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Beyonce took a break in 2010, and she took her time to make new music. 4 had old school and new experimental sounds in it. It's one of the greatest album of the 2010's. All the Lights having Rihanna, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West was one of the most creative songs in 2011. Artists making music in 2011 include human beings who are: Jazmine Sullivan's 10 Seconds, Frank Ocean, Faith Evans, El Debarge, Elle Varner, Jennifer Hudson, Bobby V, Kem, Chrisette Michele, etc. One of the greatest artists of our time is Ledisi. Right now, she is 49 years old, and she was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her name means to bring forth or to come here in Yoruba. She has performed R&B, soul, jazz, pop, neo-soul, and gospel music. Her family sang music constantly like her mother and stepfather. New Orleans has a strong musical culture in general. She was 8 when she performed with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. She moved into Oakland, California and attended now Edna Brewer Middle School. Ledisi played the piano and did opera in her life. She formed the group Anibade during the 1990's. Her first solo album was in 2000 called Soulsinger: The Revival. She made more music like Alright in 2007. Songs like Think of You and Joy are part of her legacy as well. Pieces of Me came out in 2011. Pieces of Me is one of her greatest songs from the album of the same name. Ledisi has performed at the White House 7 times at the request of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. 

 

  

In 2012, there was massive R&B music. Some of this music was mixed with hip hop too. Miguel had a song featuring Miguel called Lotus Flower Bomb. Beyonce's Love on Top was very popular in March and April of 2012 too. That song was from her 4 album. Usher's song Climax was on the charts too. This was one of Usher's greatest songs of the 21st century. Regardless of what you think about Usher's imperfections, he is a genius in music making. The song is about the complications found in relationships. Some call this song as part of the quiet storm with electronic elements in it. This song is from his album Looking 4 Myself which was released on June 8, 2012. Songs in the album include Scream, Lemme See, Numb, and Dive. It was Usher's fourth number one album in America. He won many awards for the album like a Grammy and an American Music Award. Miguel's song of Adorn is about the love for a woman. It was one of Miguel's best records. Rihanna's Diamonds was very popular. It was part of her 7th album of Unapologetic released in 2012. Diamonds is one of her best songs vocally. This proved that 2000's and 2010's R&B had very talented people like Usher, Alicia Keys,  Neyo, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Mario, Trey Songz, J Holiday, Kerri Hilson, the producer The Dream, Ashanti, Chris Brown, etc. Rihanna's song of Diamonds is about love. The song topped music charts in over 20 countries in America. It was Rihanna's 12th number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. It tied her with The Supremes and Madonna for the fifth most number one singles in the chart's history. The song was sextuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The music video of the song was shot by director Anthony Mandler. The video showed her in the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. 

 

Rihanna's Unapologetic was released on November 19, 2012. There were many producers on the album like The Dream, David Guetta, Chase and status, Stargate, Parker Ighile, Mike Will Made It, and Labrinth. The album was filled with pop, dubstep, and R&B with elements of hip hop, EDM, and reggae. 2012 was the time when EDM and new sounds started to dominate the music industry in general. The album won a Grammy. Stay, Pour It Up, Love Song, Right Now, Jump, etc. were songs on the album too. Keyshia Cole had the song of Enough of No Love, Frank Ocean had Thinkin Bout You, Brandy had Put Down, Elle Varner had her signature song of Refill, Ne-Yo's Lazy Love, music from Tank, Tey Songz's music, etc. Alicia Keys had the music of Girl on Fire song. Tamia made her song Beautiful Surprise, which is one of the greatest songs of the 2010's. John Legend made music. R. Kelly made songs, and I don't agree with his pedophilia. Monica made songs like It All Belongs to Me and Until It's Gone. Kelly Rowland made music, Chris Brown had songs in 2012, Eric Benet released Harriett Jones, and Anita Baker had Lately in 2012 too. Seal had the album of Soul 2, Melanie Fiona had the album of The MF Life, Tank had This is How I Fell, and Brandy had Two Eleven. 

  

 

2013 was a year filled with a new generation of R&B music. Body Party was song released by Ciara in 2013. Robin Thicke Had Blurred Lines. Justin Timberlake had his song of Suit and Tie. K. Michelle made his song of V.S.O.P. The newer artist August Alsina had his music too. One of the great young artist was Sevyn Streeter with the 2013 hit of It Won't Stop. Happy was an anthem for many people, and Pharrell Williams sang that song. Happy gave hope and happiness to so many lives in America and throughout the world. Kelly Rowland made music in 2013 too. Without Me from Fantasia Barrino, Right There from Ariana Grande, and The One from Tamar Braxton were popular in 2013. Janelle Monae went into another level with her song Q.U.E.E.N. along with her album Electric Lady. Janelle Monae can sing, act, rap, and play instruments. She is one of the greatest, talented artist of the 21st century. Janelle Monae Robinson was born on December 1, 1985. She can do R&B, soul, pop, funk, and other genres. When Prince co-signs you, you know that you are something special. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas. The Electric Lady was released on September 6, 2013. From the start, we all knew that Janelle Monae was very talented. That album was about her showing her and making us realize that one's background doesn't denote inferiority. One's background is part of the great mosaic of diversity. Diversity is the lifeblood of humanity, and promoting respect plus tolerance makes a real difference in improving society. The Electric Lady has elements of gospel, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, soul, etc. The album featured Miguel, Erykah Badu, Solange, Prince, and Esperanza Spalding. Songs like Dance Apocalyptic, etc. have message. Janelle Monae is a social activist, so she wants to use message in her music. Her music makes people dance. Artists like Jonn Hart, Ciara with I'm Out, John Legend, and Raheem DeVaughn made records too. Tamar Braxton made an outstanding album called Love and War in 2013 too. Her songs like Love and War, The One, All the Way Home, and Hot Sugar shows her range, skills as a singer, and excellent pitch. Tamar Braxton is a great singer for real as said by the icon Patti Labelle. One of the most groundbreaking R&B albums in 2013 was of course the album Beyonce which was released on December 13, 2013. It was released very surprisingly. It was Beyonce Knowles-Carter's 5th studio album. It was a visual album where each song would be accompanied with a visual music video. The music wasn't subtle. It mentioned sex, monogamous love, relationships, and feminism. Her famous songs on the album are Pretty Hurts, Partition, XO, Drunk in Love, etc. The album was debuted as number one on Billboard. It certainly wasn't conservative. It explored sexuality, beauty standards, and other issues that many people didn't talk about overtly back then. In the eyes of Beyonce, her album was about celebrating black feminism in celebrating black women sexuality in mainstream music. Her album promoted the existence of surprise album releases. 

 

 

 

In 2014, R&;B music was dominated by Beyonce and other artists. Jeremih released Don't Tell 'em, Trey Songz had music, and Chris Brown released songs too. The new coming back then Tinashe had 2 On in 2014. Usher had Good Kisser and Flawless from Beyonce was high on the chart. August Alsina had No Love in 2014. You're Mine was released by Mariah Carey in 2014. Maybe was a song released by Teyana Taylor. Pick Me Up was song done by Mary J. Blige. Get Her Back was a song by Robin Thicke. Rihanna and Beyonce had many collaborations in that year too. All of Me by John Legend was one of his anthem for his career. That song came from his 2013 album of Love in the Future. 2014 was a year where the new school artists became more boisterous and overt in their views. This was the time when Jagged Edge had a comeback too with songs like Hope. The Weeknd and Partynextdoor had the Toronto sound expressed. This year saw new artist show their music. FKA Twigs released her LP1 album. Tinashe released Aquarius. Mary J. Blige have shown The London Sessions. Prince had his album called Art Official Age. Kelis released Food. Tink had Winter's Diary 2. Jessie War released Tough Love. Chris Brown shown the album of X and Trey Songz released Trigga. Souled Out was shown by Jhene Aiko. Jennifer Hudson shown her album of JHUD. Michael Jackson's Xscape was shown along with Joe's Bridges. Artists like Keyshia Cole with Point of No Return, Ledisi's The Truth, Tank's Stronger, Whitney Houston's Live, Aretha Franklin, Kem, Smokey Robinson, and Marsha Ambrosius all released albums. Meshell Ndegeocllo released Comet, Come to Me. 

 

 

The Love of Music (and current trends) (2015-2019)

 

2015 in R&B had many records too. In 2015, there was Usher's I Don't Mind featuring Juicy J, and the song of Four Five Seconds (with Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney). The Weeknd had Can't Feel My Face, The Hills, and other music. Drake had his singing song of Hotline Bling in 2015. All Eyes on You was a song with Meek Mill, Chris Brown, and Nicki Minaj. Planes was a song with Jermih featuring J. Cole. 7/11 was a song done by Beyonce. See You Again was a song with Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth. Adele had the popular song of Hello. Somebody was music of Natalie La Rose ft. Jermih. This time saw a total mixture of R&B music and hip hop into one among many songs. One of the new songs of 2015 was Classic Man from Jidenna featuring Roman Gian Arthur. Jidenna has Nigerian descent. Post to Be is music from Omarion, Chris Brown, and Jhene Aiko. Ciara's I Bet, Miguel's Coffee, Trey Songz's music, and other songs represented 2015. 

One of the great comeback albums of 2015 was Janet Jackson's Unbreakable. Janet, by this time, has been in the music industry for over 3 decades. Janet Jackson was the icon by that time too. It was released on October 2, 2015. It was her first album released under her independent label of Rhythm Nation, distributed by BMG Rights Management. One of her signature songs on the album are No Sleep featuring J. Cole and Unbreakable. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (or the famous songwriting, production duo) worked with Janet Jackson on the album. Missy Elliot is on the album too. Unbreakable dealt with many issues of love, the passing of her brother Michael Jackson, and socially conscious issues (as found in the 1989 Rhythm Nation album). It debuted number one at the U.S. Billboard charts. Some songs have dance, R&B, pop, and other styles. It had EDM beats in the song Shoulda Known Better. The singer Tamia released the album of Love Life on June 9, 2015. It was released by Plus One Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. Tamia worked with Rachel Assil, Claude Kelly, and Dillon Pace. Production came form many people like The Dream and Pop and Oak. Her album is a grown up sound with songs like Sandwich and a Soda, Stuck with Me, and Love Falls Over Me. This album is a total R&B ode to old school excellence. It's one of her best albums in her whole career. Erykah Badu, Kehlani, Raheem DeVaughn, Jill Scott, Jeremih, Ne-Yo, Tyrese Gibson (with Black Rose), Bryson Tiller, Leon Bridges, Charlie Wilson, Ciara, August Alinsa, Jamie Foxx, Babyface, Kelela, Kali Uchis, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, and other artists released albums. Tamar Braxton had Calling All Lover, Prince, Jodeci, Alessia Cara, Jason Deulo, Andra Day, FKA twigs, Teedra Morris, and Charlie Wilson shown albums in 2015 too. 

 

 

2016 in R&B had 2 groundbreaking albums from Beyonce with Lemonade and Solange with A Seat At the Table. In 2016, diversity was the name of the game. Kehlani released the song of Gangsta. Starboy was the song released by The Weeknd. The singer Bruno Mars had 24K Magic. Do You Mind was song with artists like DJ Khaled, Nick Minaj, Chris Brown, Alsina, Jermih, Future, and Rick Ross. Beyonce had Hold Up, and Solange made the black empowerment song of F.U.B.U. Kaytranada and Syd had music. BJ The Chicago Kid released the music of Turnin' Me Up with mentioned about love and romance. No Limit is a song from Usher and Young Thug. Partynextoor ft. Drake had Come and See Me. 6lack had the song of Prblms. Anderson.Paak released music too. Rihanna and Drake made the very popular song of Work. 

Beyonce released her 6th studio album of Lemonade on April 23, 2016. It was released by Parkwood entertainment and Columbia Records. The album also had a 2nd visual album. Lemonade changed the R&B game. It was one of the greatest albums of all time, and it was the greatest R&B album of the 2010's other than Toni Braxton's and Babyface's duet album. The album was about Beyonce's vulnerability, happiness, joy, pain, and her husband's infidelity (which we all knew years before the album was released, but Beyonce publicly discussed in her Lemonade songs). It had art, pop, R&B, blues, rock, hip hop, soul, funk, gospel, country, electronic, and trap. It had other artists in it like Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, Jack White, and the Weeknd. It was her greatest work as an artist. It has been her most acclaimed album. Lemonade was the greatest album of 2016, and it caused Beyonce to be a super legend or icon beyond just a superstar of music. It debuted at number one earning tons of records. Formation was the song that promoted black liberation, BLM, opposition to police brutality, and its Super Bowl performance celebrated the 50th year anniversary of the start of Black Panther Party of Self Defense. Here are some of the lyrics of Beyonce's Freedom song:

 

"...[Verse 1: Beyoncé]

Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder

Tell the storm I'm new

I'ma walk, I'ma march on the regular

Painting white flags blue

Lord, forgive me, I've been running

Running blind in truth

I'ma rain, I'ma rain on this bitter love

Tell the sweet I'm new

[Pre-Chorus: Beyoncé]

I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away," oh

May the last one burn into flames

[Chorus: Beyoncé]

Freedom! Freedom! I can't move

Freedom, cut me loose! Yeah

Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?

'Cause I need freedom, too!

I break chains all by myself

Won't let my freedom rot in hell

Hey! I'ma keep running

'Cause a winner don't quit on themselves

[Verse 2: Beyoncé]

I'ma wade, I'ma wave through the waters

Tell the tide, "Don't move"

I'ma riot, I'ma riot through your borders

Call me bulletproof

Lord, forgive me, I've been runnin'

Runnin' blind in truth

I'ma wade, I'ma wave through your shallow love

Tell the deep I'm new.."

Lemonade won Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video. Even Adele said that Lemonade deserves to be placed as Best Album of the Year involving the Grammys. Lemonade won a Peabody Award in Entertainment. Lemonade was recorded between June 2014 and July 2015 in 11 studios in America. The act of Lemonade was Beyonce's therapy session to show the diverse emotions of a black woman. The Lemonade film had 11 chapters of Intuition, Denial, Anger, Apathy, Emptiness, Accountability, Reformation, Forgiveness, Resurrection, Hope, and Redemption. Beyonce said that she wanted to make mention of slavery and how dysfunctions in many black families have to be confronted in order for healing and resolution to occur among black men and black women. Beyonce wanted to celebrate the words and legacy of her grandmother and Jay Z's grandmother. Also, the album has been called an example of black feminism. Even Don't Hurt Yourself was a song that quote Malcolm X when he accurately said that, "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person is America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." Lemonade wanted to destroy anti-black women stereotypes by showing a diversity of black women and citing literature from black women like Julie Dash, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, etc. Deep Southern culture from music to cuisine is celebrated by the album. She cites Yoruba culture, Igbo peoples, Oshun, Creloe food, jazz, etc. Lemonade is a whole lot of Blackness spiritually, intellectually, physically, and inspirationally. Regardless of how anyone feels on Beyonce, you can deny the skill and talent of her album of Lemonade. She won 5 BET Awards in 2017. Her song of Freedom featuring Kendrick Lamar was a 21st century anthem in calling for freedom for black human beings. She won many MTV awards too. My favorite song on the album is Freedom, because it talks about our people and the fight for justice. Artists of every color and of every genre were inspired by Lemonade. 

 

Solange made her 2016 album of A Seat at the Table. It was released on September 30, 2016. It was music made up of many message of celebrating black people, loving Blackness, honoring black women, and eliminating the stigma of mental health issues (that is still taboo to talk about in public among certain segments of the black community). This comes after her EP of True. A Seat at the Table could be Solange's greatest album. It had artists like Saba, Lil Wayne, Q-Tip, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kelly Rowland, Tweet, Sampha, Kelela, David Longstreth, The Dream, etc. It was Solange's first Grammy nomination and win. Master P worked with her too. The album had empowerment, hop, rage, and love. It uses funk, neo-soul, and R&B. Rise was a song about Ferguson and Baltimore. Cranes in the Sky is about mental health and using alcohol, sex, and music to try to stop the pain. Don't Touch My Hair is about not wanting people to touch a black woman's hair without her permission (which unfortunately common in America and in the world in general). F.U.B.U. is a song not only giving ode to For Us By Us. It is about the call for black ownership and realizing that black culture is not up for sale. A Seat at the Table dealt with race with psychedelic funk. A Seat at the Table represents Solange's soul, thinking, and musical intentions. 

 

2017 was a year where R&B music was in transition. New school sounds and imagery were abundant. You have Starboy being popular done by The Weeknd featuring Draft Punk. Rae Sremmurd made Black Beatles featuring Gucci Mane. Bruno Mars had That's What I Like. I'm the One was released by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.  One song that was very popular was Wild Thoughts done by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. Khalid made music too. This was the year when Khalid increased his popular in the R&B world. Jacob Banks made a song called Unknown (To You). He also made a powerful song called Chainsmoking which is about life and people's diverse experiences. Cyphi The Prynce made the song of No Dope on Sundays ft. Pusha T. This year saw a continuation of R&B/hip hop hybrid songs like Dawin'sBreek done by Ty Dolla $ign ft. Jeremih. Knox Fortune made the song of Lil Thing. Toro y Moi released the song of Girl Like You. Sampha made the song of No One Knows Me like the Piano. His song was a tribute to her mother, who lost her life to cancer. It is a very emotional record. Provider is a song made by Frank Ocean.  Godlink released the song called Crew featuring Shy Glizzy and Brent Faiyaz. The Weekend is a song made by SZA. Blessed is music from Daniel Caesar. The Canadian group of Majid Jordan made the record of Gave Your Love Away. The albums of 2017 involving R&B were diverse like SZA's Ctrl, Khalid's American Teen, Kehlani's SweetSexySavage, Daniel Caesar's Fruedian, Sampha's Process, Miguel's War and Leisure, Thundercat's Drunk, Kelela's Take Me Apart, Syd Tha Kid's Fin, Mary J. Blige's Strength of a Woman, Jhene Aiko's Trip, Bryson Tiller's True to Self, Majid Jordan's The Space Between, Sharon Jones' Soul of a Woman, Curtis Harding's Face Your Fear, and K. Michelle's Kimberly: The People I Used to Know.

 

 

By 2018, there were songs like Rockstar and Finesse. Drake had the R&B and hip hop fusion song of God's Plan. Ella Mai had the son of Trip including Boo. The artist of Childish Gambino had the song called This is America.  This is America is about the epidemic of anti-black violence, murder, and injustice in general. The irony of Childish Gambino is that he acts like he's pro-black, but he is known to made anti-black jokes in his comedy routines years ago without apologizing for it. Ella Mai Howell stood out in 2018 too involving R&B culture. She is a Afro-British singer and songwriter.  Her singing career began at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in London in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of The X Factor. In 2015, she uploaded a four-track solo EP of originals to SoundCloud titled Troubled, and was discovered on social media by American record producer Mustard and signed with his record label, 10 Summers Records. From 2016 to 2018, she released three EPs on the label, including Time, Change, and Ready. Her self-titled debut studio album was released in October 2018. She was born on November 3, 1994 at London, England. Her mother is Jamaican, and her father is Irish. In 2019, "Boo'd Up" was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Song of the Year and Best R&B Song, winning for the latter, as well as Mai herself being nominated for British Breakthrough Act at the 2019 Brit Awards.  At the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, she won three awards, including the award for Top R&B Artist. She is a fan of Arsenal F.C. By 2020, she released Not Another Love Song. She is inspired by Lauryn Hill, Chris Brown, Brandy, Destiny's Child, Alicia Keyes, and Mariah Carey. Ella Mai is also inspired by 90's R&B music too. 2018 had tons of complex, history making R&B albums. One such album in 2018 was Janelle Monae's Dirty Computer. It showed music videos showing her songs as well. It featured subjects that deals with love, romance, computers, sexuality, feminism, and empowering women. Dirty Computer uses pop, funk, hip hop, &B, and neo-soul. It has space rock, trap, futurepop, new wave, electropop, and other genres. Her four singles out of many include Make Me Feel, Django Jane, Pynk, and I Like That. The album had a 46 minute narrative film project of the same name. Many people have praised the album. Prince inspired her to make more music. Janelle Monae said that Dirty Computer is a homage to women and the spectrum of sexual identities. No one can deny Janelle Monae's talent. In 2018, Teyana Tyalor released the album of K.T.S.E., The Weeknd had the album of My Dear Melancholy, Mariah Carey released Caution, The Carters released Everything is Love, 6LACK released East Atlanta Love Letter, Dev Hynes released Negro Swan, Islation was released by Kali Uchis, Jorja Smith released Lost and Found, and The Internet released Hive Mind. Toni Braxton made the huge comeback album of Sex and Cigarettes too in 2018. Toni Braxton's album was about love and disappointments at fraudulent partners. The song Sorry shows some of her best vocals and lyrics on the album. Ariana Grande released Sweetener. 

 

 

By early 2019, songs like Trip by Ella Mai, Sicko Mode by Travis Scott, and Please Me were high on the charts. Khalid made Better and Talk that expanded his power in music. Khalid Donnel Robinson was born on February 11, 1998. He is part of the new generation of R&B singers with something to say. He was born at Fort Stewart, Georgia.  Khalid released the number one pop songs, “Love Lies” with Normani and “Eastside” with Benny Blanco and Halsey, both of which tied the record for longest charting songs on the Mainstream Top 40 chart and reached the top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In September 2018, Khalid released the number one rhythmic song, “Better”, as the lead single from his top-10 EP, Suncity. In April 2019, he released his second studio album, Free Spirit, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart. The lead single “Talk”, peaked at number 3 in the US, and earned him a Grammy Award for Record of the Year nomination. Khalid has received multiple accolades including six Grammy Award nominations, six Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards and a MTV Video Music Award. In 2019, Khalid was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Khalid cites his mother as his leading musical inspiration and has cited Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Grizzly Bear, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, India.Arie, and James Blake as other influences.  In 2019, some of R&B greatest music came from Bryson Tiller, Ari Lennox, and Jacquees. In 2019, Summer Walker made the song of Fun Girl, Marco McKinnis made the song of Give It Up, Ann Marie's My Body, Hope Tala's Lovestained, Rotimi's Love Riddin', Girl Utra's Discrecion, Ride by YK Osiris and Kehlani, Ari Lennox's BMO, DJ Snake's Smile ft. Bryson Tiller, and other music. In 2019, Solange released the album of When I Get Home. It is her 4th studio album. Knowles produced the album alongside a variety of collaborators, including John Key, John Carrol Kirby, Standing on the Corner, Chassol, Jamire Williams and Pharrell Williams. The album also features contributions from several high-profile musicians, including Sampha, Playboi Carti, Gucci Mane, Panda Bear, Tyler, the Creator, Metro Boomin, The-Dream, Abra, Dev Hynes, Steve Lacy, Earl Sweatshirt and Scarface. The work has jazz, hip hop, and R&B elements. It celebrates the Houston hip hop culture in the Third Ward. It celebrates African American women from Houston too. She made a visual film in relating to the album too. Songs like Things I Imagined, Down with the Clique, Way to the Show, Stay Flo, Dreams, My Skin is my Logo, I'm a Witness, etc. represent how she feels about her life. Summer Walker released the album of Over It, Jamila Woods released Legacy! Legacy!, Anderson Paak shown the album of Ventura, and Sir released Chasing Summer. 

 

Ari Lennox released Shea Butter Baby on May 7, 2019. This album was produced by Elite. The album has R&B, soul, neo soul, and jazz. The title track being the second single "Shea Butter Baby" with J. Cole, was released on February 26, 2019, which first appeared on the Creed II soundtrack on November 16, 2018. The song was accompanied by a music video on February 20, 2019 and surpassed three million views via YouTube within the first week. On April 30, Ari Lennox announced the release date and tracklist of the album, and released the single "Up Late", and the music video for the song was released on May 14. This album is about Ari Lennox showing herself to the world in merging neo-soul with R&B music. Her passions, her love, and her intentions are all displayed in Shea Butter Baby. Lizzo released Cuz I Love You in 2019, Kehlani had While We Wait, Toro Y Moi had Outer Peace, Tinashe had Songs for You, and Raphael Saadiq had Jimmy Lee. Snoh Aalegra had Ugh, Those Feels Again. Beyonce released The Lion King: The Gift in 2019 that celebrates African culture and heritage. The album was also produced by Beyoncé and features African artists such as Wizkid, Shatta Wale, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Yemi Alade, Busiswa and Salatiel, as well as appearances from Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Childish Gambino, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Tierra Whack, 070 Shake, and Jessie Reyez, among others. At the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards, "Spirit" was nominated for Best Video of the Year and Best Dance Performance, while "Brown Skin Girl" was nominated for Best Collaboration and The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award, winning the latter. The album was praised by African musicians too, and it caused a new era of Beyonce's legendary career. Mahalia released Love and Compromise. Jacquees released the album of The King of R&B, Lucky Daye released Painted, and H.E.R. released I Use to Know Her. 2019 R&B music saw tons of new artists and a new chapter being written constantly. 

  

 

More underrated artists of the 2020s 

 

R&B Music is still here in 2020 and beyond. Boundaries with sounds were broken. One of the great songs in 2020 in dealing with R&B was Do It with the sister team of Chloe X Halle. SZA made a song with Hit Different ft. Ty Dolla $ign. New artists like Arizona Zervas, Kehlani, Roddy Ricch, Lizzo, Doja Cat,  and other people released music. Ella Mai released Not Another Love Song. Giveon had Stuck on You. Summer Walker ft. Partynextdoor released My Affection. Also, Usher released Bad Habits. That song alluded to his real life drama. Inhale was a song released by Bryson Tiller. Summer  2020 was a song released by Jhene Aiko. Teyana Taylor ft. Davido released Killa. dvsn ft. Snoh Aalegra had Between Us. Snowchild was a song released by The Weeknd. Justin Beiber, JoJo, and other people have outlined their songs too. Kelly Rowland in 2020 released the song Coffee to celebrate the beauty of black women. H.E.R., Khalid, Disclosure, and other people have outlined their music about love, romance, etc. Lianne La Havas is a very talented artist with songs like Bittersweet, etc. 3 am in London is a song by Ebenezer. Ari Lennox, Kiana Lede, Brent Faiyaz, Gashi, and other people of the new generation certainly have made R&B evolve further. By 2021, R&B had hits like Blinding Lights from The Weeknd. R&B music by now is heavily a hybrid with slow jams, quiet storm, electronic influences, and hip hop influences. Peaches is a song of Justin Bieber, Daniel Casesar, and Giveon. Leave the Door Open is a 2021 song by Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars in a duo called Silk Sonic. Hit Different is a song by SZA, The Neptunes with Pharrell Williams, and TY Dolla $ign. Girl Like Me is a song by Jazmine Sullian featuring H.E.R. Caution is a song made by Kaytranada. Still Yours is found by Bryson Tiller and Big Sean. H.E.R. released Fight for You as part of the Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired album. Eden was released Brent Faiyaz. Mahalia ft. Rico Nasty made the song Jealous. 80/20 is a song released by Chloe X Halle. Justine Syke and Timbaland have the 2021 song of Intruded. Syd made the song of Missing Out. SZA released Good Days. Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox, dvsn, Miguel, and other people have released music in 2021 too. 

 

 

Justine Skye is part of the new generation of very talented R&B singers. 

 

The Culture of R&B

 

R&B Culture is diverse. It deals with music a lot. From the pianos, trumpets, base, and electronic devices, R&B Music has existed in the modern world since the 1940's. Also, the culture of R&B deals with soul. Soul is not something that is artificial. It is not something that is fake or generated via deception. Soul is a tangible part of the human soul that endorses creativity, originality, and the love of the audience. African American culture relates to R&B culture too, as black people invented R&B music, rock music, hip hop, and other genres. Today, the culture of modern day R&B is international. Singers of R&B are people of many nationalities and colors including ages. It has helped to shed a light on problems, to evaluate love in complex terms, and expand fashion profoundly. In terms of fashion, from shades, suits, dresses, shoes, and other clothes, R&B music had dealt with clothing for generations. Pentatonic scales and bass guitars are regularly utilized in R&B music. 

 

One example is how SZA used a guitar when Toni Braxton sang her classic song of "Gotta Move On." Snares, drums, and other beats are found in R&B like the song of Experience done by Victoria Monet, Khalid, and SG Lewis. R&B music is worldwide. Like other genres, the paradox of R&B is that there is a problem with many lyrics being anti-women, while an increase of women R&B singers have carried the genre forward. Tons of women R&B artists have great talent in the 2020s like: Victoria Monet, Chloe x Halle, Chloe x Halle, Ari Lennox, Jade Novah, Ruth B., Jhene Aiko, India Shawn, Normani, Teyana Taylor, Rochelle Jordan, Sza, Brandy, Monica, H.E.R., Keke Palmer, Justine Skye, Jessie Reyez, Kiana Lede, Sevyn Streeter, Summer Walker, Ella Mai, Mahalia, Ryan Destiny, Kehlani, Sudan Archives, Jenevieve, Jorja Smith, TeaMarrr, and Tinashe. Yes, I listen to much of their music. Even though I am almost 40 years old, I know how the younger generation acts. Black culture is R&B music. We invented it, and it is a music at the same time meant for all people to listen to and express themselves in it. Music is never limited based on background. It's meant for everyone. Music changes over time, but greatness in music always remains potent forevermore. 

 

  

R&B is here to Stay (Epilogue)

  

Every since I was a child, R&B music has always inspired my soul. It motivated me and caused me to appreciate further the beauty and wonder of black culture. Black culture is the heartbeat of American society and world society in general. We give the world humanity as black people, and our contributions remains powerful to this very day. It is fitting to close this historic R&B music series on Black Music History Month. For almost 80 years now, R&B music has been in existence. The long roots of R&B existed from the blues and jazz. Long ago (over 100 years ago), black Americans experienced lynchings, pogroms, rape, and other injustices. Music was promoted not only as a way for our ancestors to celebrate creativity and music. Music was part of our coping mechanisms to counteract tyranny, music was used a way for us to see brighter days ahead, and it was a way to expand our culture worldwide. During both Great Migrations, jazz and blues evolved into R&B. By the 1940's and the 1950's, we saw how R&B music consisted of soul artists and ballad musicians like Ruth Brown and Ray Charles. From the Deep South to the West Coast, R&B sounds flourished. 

From the Supremes and Stevie Wonder to SZA and H.E.R., R&B music has been through tons of changes over the decades. We have been through a lot. Even the recent event of a black man almost killed by the police in Windsor, Virginia shows us that we have a long way to go. Yet, excellence in music remains strong. We know that great music is still here. Music inspires creativity. It can build up the souls of people in transcendent ways, and it can promote our minds to stand up against injustice. Back then when R&B was born, a lot of jazz and blues influences were found in R&B. Early artists like Dinah Washington tried to show their gifts to the world. The Motown era of R&B had legends like Tammi Terrell and Otis Redding during the 1960's. The 1960's saw Stax Records with Otis Redding giving his ballads about loving the awesome humanity of a woman. Aretha Franklin displayed anthem on civil rights and women empowerment with her music like Respect during the 1960's. David Ruffin sang his heart out. There was no voice like David Ruffin at all. He was that talented. R&B have gospel roots too, as tons of the legends of R&B music were literally raised in the church. Disco of the 1970's and funk showed the world that R&;B can expand into new heights. The 1980's was highly experimental songs with funk, the quiet storm, and ballads from the legendary Whitney Houston to the powerful sounds of Chaka Khan. The 1990's saw a huge golden Age of R&B music with people like Brandy, Aaliyah, Monica, Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox, and others. 

 

The 2000's saw both the start of new school singers and old school legends like Ashanti, Rihanna, Beyonce, Fantasia, Amerie, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, and Melanie Fionna. The 2010's saw the growth of the new school almost neo-quiet storm types of artists like Bryson Tiller, H.E.R., Carolyn Malachi, SZA, and other artists. During the 2020's, we see the torch being passed to other artists like Chloe X Halle, Victoria Monet, Khalid, Justine Syke, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Lion Babe (made up of Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman), Shakespeare, and other human beings. In 2021, Diana Ross released her new song called "Thank You" in celebrating her fans, her music, her legacy, and the beauty of music in general. It is a very outstanding song from her. Her album of the same name will be released to the public on September 2021. It is fitting to end this portion of this work with Diana Ross, as she gave so many people an opportunity to express their gifts to the world. Miss Diana Ross deserves all of the credit in the world with her grace and resiliency including her strength. 

 

 

Appendix A: Honoring Singing Legends who laid a Foundation for Modern R&B Music

 

In our time, we always give credit when credit is due. This R&B Music history series have taught me so many lessons. This series further allows human beings to love music in another level. I did this series for many reasons. One reason is that I wanted to improve my knowledge about music history. I have learned so much about unsung artists by this series. Also, I want people to honor the essence of black music in general. Black music is a cornerstone of American and world culture. Music has inspired doctors, lawyers, teachers, athletes, and other leaders of the world. Fans of R&B music exist among people of every color and background. The power of the Four Tops (whose song of Bernadette is one of the greatest songs of a man showing love to a woman), the inspiration from The Supremes, the collective talent of The Temptations, and outstanding voices of the Three Degrees show us that R&B music is very sacrosanct. I did this series also to make sure that the younger generation realizes that the legacy of music has a long history. Many young people don't know anything about Dinah Washington or Sarah Vaughan, so I made this work to show people of every background how R&B music has evolved over the course of time. The following men and women honored here helped to set up a great legacy which has allowed modern artists including future artists to shine their lights gloriously. 

One of the most unsung singers in the world was Marva Whitney. She had such an outstanding voice singing music that she was called the Soul Sister Number One. She could sing R&B, soul, and funk music. Kansas City, Kansas was the city of her birth. When she was a child (at the age of 3 years old), she was on tour with her family's gospel group called The Manning Gospel Singers. She lived from May 1, 1944 to December 22, 2012. When she was 16 years old, she joined the Alma Whitney Singers. During the 1960's, her career has grown massively. One funky song that she made was Unwind Yourself. Her early albums were Unwind Yourself (1968), Live and Lowdown at the Apollo [actually live in Georgia] (1969), and It's My Thing (1969). She joined many groups, and she worked with James Brown, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, and Lyn Collins. She even worked in gospel music too. Marva Whitney loved to tour worldwide in Europe, Japan, and in other locations. Her friend Dawayne Gilley said that she was one of the first women to embody the authority of funk. Whitney loved to show her voice in the midst of a bass, guitar lines, and horns. Her 2007 album of I Am What I Am was critically acclaim. Marva Whitney was a legend of musical expression to the fullest extent. 

  

Lyn Collins (or Gloria Lavern Collins) lived from June 12, 1948 to March 13, 2005. She was an American soul singer. Her 1972 funk single Think (About It) had a classic sound. She worked with James Brown too. Dime Box, Texas was the place of her birth. Since she was 14 years old, she recorded music. She played with Charles Pike and The Scholars. She possessed gospel influences too. Her music was heavily sampled by hip hop artists, because hip hop is a descendant of funk music literally. She worked in house music with the song of "Shout." House was born in Chicago by the 1980's as a powerful form of self-expression. In February of 2005, she formed her first solo tour. For three weeks, she performed in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. She is respected by her peers and colleagues as an outstanding singer. 

  

 

Levi Stubbs is one of the greatest singers in history. He was the lead singer of the R&B group called the Four Tops. He was born in Detroit, Michigan part of the Motown explosion of revolutionary singers plus groups that excelled massively in the world. His voice is baritone. His emotional, dramatic style of singing has been noted by many people. He lived from June 6, 1936 to October 17, 2008. Many people don't know that he was a voice artist in film and television. Tons of people admire his musical skills. Levi Stubbs loved his wife named Clineice with their 5 children. His cousin was Jackie Wilson. His brother Joe was in the group of 100 Proof (Aged in Soul), The Falcons, The Contours, and The Originals. He worked with his friends to form the Four Aims in 1954, and they changed the name to the Four Tops in 1956. They signed with Motown Records in 1963. They made many classic songs like Baby I Need Your Loving, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), It's the Same Old Song, I'll Turn to Stone, Reach Out I'll Be There, Bernadette, Still Water (Love), Standing in the Shadows of Love, etc. Levi Stubbs supported the Four Tops even when people offered him to go solo. He didn't do it or left the Four Tops. He was loyal to the group which takes a lot of courage and compassion. When Lawrence Payton passed away in 1997, Theo Peoples replaced him. The FourtTops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. They sold over 50 million records worldwide. Levi Stubbs was one of the best, and his legacy lives on forever. Berry Gordy, Martha Reeves, Hall and Oats, Brian Holland, Ali-Ollie Woodson, and Dennis Edwards all supported him. Levi Stubbs Day exists in the city of Detroit to this very day. 

  

 

Annette Simmons is a great R&B singer and soul singing legend. She was an original member of the group of Martha and the Vandellas during the 1960's. Now, she is a member of the singing group of The Original Vandellas. July 4, 1943 is the date of her birth. She worked on doo-wop, rock and roll, funk, and disco music. Detroit, Michigan is the city of her birth. Her parents are Ann and Roger El Wood Beard. Like many legends, she sang in church choirs at an early age. When she was 14, her career grew. She was in The Del-Phis in 1957. She had a child back in the 1960's and left the group in 1964. She continues to be friends with her former bandmates. In 1995, Beard joined Reeves, Ashford, Betty Kelly, and Lois Reeves as Martha and the Vandellas were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Annette Simmons loves her husband Dann Simmons RN or Ashland, Ohio. She lives in Madison Heights, Michigan and Ashland, Ohio. 

  

 

Soul singer Vicki Anderson was born on November 21, 1939. She is the mother of Carleen Anderson. Vicki worked with James Brown, and she is the widow of Bobby Bryd. Houston, Texas is the place of her birth. She joined James Brown in his singing group in 1965. James Brown said in his autobiography that Anderson the best singer he ever had in his revue. In 1970, her most famous song was The Message from the Soul Sisters displaying a feminist anthem. She toured the world too. 

  

 

The songwriting and production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are very influential in music in general. Gamble is from Philadelphia and Huff is from Camden, New Jersey. The helped to form the Philadelphia soul music genre of the Philly sound of the 1970's. Gamble and Huff have written and produced 175 gold and platinum records. That is why they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category by March of 2008. Leon Huff worked on keyboards. Gamble was on a DJ assisting people. Kenneth Gamble was a solo artist. Gamble, Ross, and Huff worked on the song I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. They produced their first Top 5 hit of Expressway to Your Heart by The Soul Survivors. They worked with people like Archie Bell and the Drells, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and the Sweet Inspirations. Jerry Butler and Dee Dee Warwick worked with them too. Gamble and Huff formed Philadelphia International Records in 1971. The Philly sound inspired songs like If You Don't Know Me by Now by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Love Train by the O'Jays, and Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul. Gamble and Huff used basslines, lush strings, and hit-hat rhythms (which would be found in disco later on). By 1975, Gamble and Huff were the premiere producers of soul beyond even Motown. Gamble and Huff were political activists by promoting songs that advanced Blackness and self-determination like the O'Jays' Give the People What They Want (1975) and Billy Paul's Am I Black Enough for You? (1972). Gamble worked to help properties in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago via his Clean Up the Ghetto project. Gamble and Huff made so many contributions in R&B, that you can't know R&B fully without mentioning their names. 

   

 

One of my favorite singers is Marlena Shaw. She can sing jazz, blues, and soul music. September 22, 1942 was when she was born. By the 1960's, she became an icon of music. Her music has been sampled in hip hop music and television commercials. New Rochelle, New York is the place of her birth. Her uncle and jazz trumpet player Jimmy Burgess introduced her to music. Shaw listened to Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, gospel, and Al Hibber. Marlena Shaw worked in jazz clubs all of the time. She worked with jazz trumpeter Howard McGhee in 1963. She performed California Soul which is my opinion is the best version that she has sung. It was written by Ashford and Simpson. It was sang by the quintet the 5th Dimension. The song is found in Dockers, KFC, and Doge Ram trucks commercials. She made music in the 1970's and beyond. The Spice of Life album was released in November of 1969, and her album of Marlena was released in 1972. 

  

Odetta Holmes is one of the greatest folk singers in history. She lived from December 31, 1930 to December 2, 2008. She inspired many artists. As the voice of the Civil Rights Movement, Odetta was always a civil and human rights activist for decades. She can play the guitar, act, and worked so hard in her walk. She loved to perform folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals. She inspired everybody like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, and Janis Joplin. One of my favorite songs from her is Take This Hammer. Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were fans of her music too. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 31, 1930. Later, her family moved into Los Angeles. Her teacher noticed her singing talents. She started operatic training at the age of 113. Odetta sang professionally in a musical in 1944. She toured with singing groups. Later, she Odetta recorded Odetta and Larry with Larry Mohr for Fantasy Records in 1954. She made solo albums too. She sang Water Boy and There's a Hole in My Bucket in 1959 on Tonight with Belafonte TV special. Dr. King called her The Queen of American Folk Music. She sang at the 1963 March on Washington with the song O Freedom. She had jazz/blues albums like Odetta and the Blues (1962) and Odetta (1967). She was on many films as an actress like The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) and Dinerama Holday (1955). She made more albums too. She was a friend to Ella Fitzgerald and made a CD in her honor called "To Ella." It was released in 1998. Odetta was honored everywhere. She wanted to perform at Barack Obama's inauguration in January of 2009. She passed away on December 2, 2008 at New York City. Odetta influenced Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Maya Angelou, John Waters, Carly Simon, and other artists. Odetta was a black woman with a one in a lifetime talent that was so excellent. 

 

The soul of R&B is still here albeit in a new time in the 2020s. Soon, it will be 2030, and the future will continue to exist along with the glorious legacy of R&B music. Selah. 

 

By Timothy