The document provides an overview of the genres of R&B and rap music. It defines R&B as a genre of African-American music originating in the 1940s that incorporates elements of blues, gospel, and soul music. Key developments in R&B included the emergence of soul music in the 1960s pioneered by artists like Sam Cooke. The document also defines rap as spoken rhyming lyrics performed over a beat. It traces the origins of rap to African roots and highlights early pioneering artists like Sugarhill Gang. Examples of modern R&B and rap songs and videos are also discussed.
2. What is R&B?
• Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B and RnB, is a
genre of popular African-American music that originated in
the 1940s. The term was originally used by record
companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly
to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane,
rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was
becoming more popular.
• The term has subsequently had a number of shifts in
meaning. In the early 1950s, the term rhythm and blues
was frequently applied to blues records. Starting in the mid-
1950s, after this style of music contributed to the
development of rock and roll, the term "R&B" became used
to refer to music styles that developed from and
incorporated electric blues, as well as gospel and soul
music. By the 1970s, rhythm and blues was used as a
blanket term for soul and funk. In the 1980s, a newer style
of R&B developed, becoming known as "Contemporary
R&B".
3. First of its Kind
• Paul Williams- The Humblebuck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du6Y7u
4. • There were many Black Artists that helped in the
development of such a spectacular genre such
as Louis Jordan, Roy Brown, Bo Diddley or Ray
Charles however their sound was more blues. R&B
transformed into, what many would call today; SOUL
MUSIC. This is where artists such as Sam Cooke
began to shine. Soon record labels such as Atlantic,
Motown and Stax records is invented and major
artists begun taking their place. Stax Records,
responsible for people like Otis Redding really
incorporated the term SOUL MUSIC, while other
record labels such as Motown appealed to both
sides of the charts; pop and R&B.
6. Explaining the music video
using Andrew Goodwin’s theory
1. Through the heavy and repeated beats of the music and
what we have been exposed to in the music industry under
R&B, by listening to this song we acknowledge that it is a
R&B song.
2. There is an obvious relationship between the lyrics in the
song and the music video. “I just shot a man down”,
referring to her using a gun. In the music video Rihanna
shoots aiming at a man. Not only this, she sings, “in central
station, in front of a big old crowd”, this is also clearly
shown, where there are plenty of people surrounding the
man.
7. 3. In this song, Rihanna seems to have a very strong
Caribbean accent. There is a visual link between the accent
and the environment she is in. She is on a Caribbean island,
Barbados where she originates from.
4. Close ups of the singer are consistent throughout her
music video, this is a way of promoting herself, ‘exclusive
access’.
5. There is frequent sexual interaction between females
and males in this video, especially during the end where
she enters what looks like a club.
6. ?
8. Some Other R&B Videos
with Similar Concepts
• Keri Hilson- Energy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHVQXMCux7
• Maroon 5- Payphone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRaWnd3LJfs
• Mariah Carey- It’s like that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uI2cwfluyNo
10. What is Rap?
• Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing,
spitting (bars), or rhyming) refers to "spoken
or chanted rhyming lyrics".
• Rapping is often associated with and a
primary ingredient of hip hop music and
reggae, rapping can be traced back to its
African roots.
• Rapping is distinct from spoken word poetry
in that it is performed in time to a beat.
11. First of its Kind
• Sugarhill Gang- Rappers Delight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1WHelVsu9x8
12. Old School Rap
• Old school rap (1979–1984) was easily
identified by its relatively simple raps
according to All music, "the emphasis was
not on lyrical technique, but simply on
good times", one notable exception being
Melle Mel, who set the way for future
rappers through his socio-political content
and creative wordplay.
13. Rap Now
• Eminem- Lose yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=bmXumtgwtak
14. Explaining the music video
using Andrew Goodwin’s theory
1. Eminem is internationally known for his rapping, as an
audience we know this from him previous songs. Eminem is
a key icon for rapping. What makes him even popular
amongst fans is that the majority in this genre are black,
however Eminem is a white artist.
2. This was a personal music video, based on Eminem’s life
and his struggle to become an artist, clips which were taken
from his film, ‘8 Mile’ to create this music video. The lyrics
are represented with the images displayed to us. E.g. “he’s
no father. He goes home and barely knows his own
daughter”, a girl is playing his daughter, who saw very little
of him when Eminem was busy gaining fame.
15. 3. This video is illustrative of Eminem’s life, and so is shown in
the music video. We are shown the area in which he was
raised, and the big city where he dreams of starting a new life.
4. Close ups of the singer are consistent throughout his music
video, this is a way of promoting himself, ‘exclusive access’ in
his life.
5. There is frequent reference of him looking into mirrors,
Eminem being on stages in front of large crowds.
6. This song was specifically made for Eminem's film ‘8 Mile’.
16. Some Other R&B Videos
with Similar Concepts
• Nicki Minaj ft Lil’ Wayne- High School:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=RnpyRe_7jZA
• Flo Rida ft T-Pain- Low:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=3VVuMIB2hC0
• Jennifer Lopez ft LL Cool J- All I have:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yeSJ2YdhG5k