R&B, what is R&B? Short for rhythm and blues, R&B is a genre of music that emerged from African American communities in the 1940s. The term was first coined by Jerry Wexler, a music journalist in the 1940s, but it was in the 1950s that R&B gained mainstream popularity. R&B artists like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke helped shape the genre, which eventually gave birth to soul music. It features soulful vocals, steady beats, and a blend of various musical styles like jazz and gospel. R&B has influenced many other genres (such as hip-hop, soul, and pop) and continues to evolve with artists incorporating modern elements and themes. The ’90s was R&B and Hip-Hop soul’s prime with artists like R Kelly, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, and more. R&B and Hip-Hop soul are still very popular today with artists like The Weeknd, Bryson Tiller, SZA, Summer Walker, and more. I personally think it’s one of the best music genres out there, I like how calm it makes me feel and how steady and soothing the artist’s vocals and beats are. My favorite R&B/Hip-Hop soul artists are Erykah Buda (who I highly recommend), Jhene Aiko, Drake, SZA, and Brent Faiyaz. If I were to make music, which I know I want to do, it’ll definitely fall under the R&B genre.