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R&B Music Spreading
R&B music explodes in urban centers like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. This increased Black American presence due to the Great Depression. -
Blues and Rhythm
RCA Victor records began using "blues and rhythm" music as a descriptor of African American secular songs. The migration of African Americans to urban centers in the Northeast and Midwest helped the music influence one another. -
Sharing Characteristics
R&B still shared nearly all its musical characteristics with rock and roll, yet both genres took on racial connotations as a result of widespread segregation. Most black musicians playing songs with the same influences were branded R&B artists. -
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald was the first Black artist to win a Grammy. During that time, music was divided into two categories-popular music and race music. -
The Start of a Revolution
Billboard published the Hot R&B Sides chart ranking the top-performing songs in United States R&B and related African American oriented music genres. The chart undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution. -
The Top 8
R&B was a greater medley soul, gospel, Afro beats, funk and disco. It held its place on the charts with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, The O-Jays, The Four Tops, Barry White, Earth, Winds and Fire, The Spinners, and more. -
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson's album control was a landmark release in modern black music that forever changed the trajectory of R&B. -
Janet's Come-up
Her follow up, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, re-established her place among the elite in her field as the album produced hit after hit. -
The Main Topics
The debut album of TLC, the project from SWV, the Keith Sweat endorsed debut of Silk, Mary J. Blige and her classic debut made this a very solid year. -
Lauryn Hill
Hill released "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", her debut and only solo album. The album opens with audio of a school bell, and we hear conversations about love between the "students." every track ends with audio from one of these conversations, which describe the experience of love as Black woman. -
Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo has the longest standing career of relevancy of all R&B artists of the 2000's. He was known for hit songs like "So Sick", "Because of You", "Miss Independent", and "One in a Million". Ne-Yo was one of the leaders in R&B for multiple generations. -
Usher's Record
Confessions is the fourth studio studio album by singer-songwriter Usher. He has sold 10.3 million copies in the US and over 15 million copies worldwide making it the best-selling R&B album of the 21st century by a male artist. -
Beyoncé Takes Control of History
Beyoncé makes history at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. She won the most awards by a female artist in one night; a total of six awards breaking the record. -
Drake's Music Video
The music video for "Hotline Bling," Drake's most popular visual effort ever, embraced retro monochromatic color schemes and the rapper's own dad-like dance moves. -
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige released her album called "Good Morning Gorgeous." The album was released leading into her energetic Super Bowl halftime performance. Blige is a figure of inspiration, transformation and empowerment making her one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era.