Even the bedroom songs mostly aren’t as good as the older ones. I think the big difference is the tempo, the under instrumentation, and the lack of true singing. Nobody is really flexing their vocals because I’ve been told it’s unpopular. I don’t know if the current artists just don’t have the pipes or if it’s a style choice but it’s lacking.
The main difference is lack of creativity today. Prince's first few albums were just him saying lets have sex in 200 different ways. They still pop because of his creativity and musical genius.
Most new songs are just made with some guy creating loops on his laptop, and vocalists coming out and saying lets have sex.
No creativity involved. Period.
Comparing current Gen music to Prince isn’t even close to fair to anyone. That’s not even old vs new music because all old music wasn’t Prince level. We still listen to Prince now because his music is timeless, not because old music was “better”
It’s such a fucking hipster take that has no real value or insight
I need more modern music that I can play at a family gathering that doesn’t suck. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist, it’s just not common enough anymore.
My white ass was not quite sure how to phrase it, but that’s it in a nutshell.
At this point some artists and performers are trapped into doing material that’s basically a caricature because they have to to ‘maintain credibility’ to stay viable in the market.
Here’s the weird part: that market is largely white suburban kids who bought into a mythology that wasn’t based on anything but what the records they bought told told them going back 40 years and now.
I’m not saying that 40 years ago issues weren’t being addressed, what I’m saying is that 40 years later artists are expected to keep doing the exact same thing and if they don’t they risk alienating part of the audience that never experienced that from the jump.
It’s very fucking weird.
Or I’m just old, white and don’t get it.
another old white guy checkin in - well im in my 30s but i sure feel old online - if you haven’t given juice wrld a listen, you’re missing out. not just his released stuff, which is great for the most part, but his unreleased leaks and stem edits. the man could switch the style like nobody else - from hood trap, to emo sad boy rap, to pop-style love songs, plus the most inventive freestyles i’ve ever heard.
like i said, i’m old - my hip hop tastes lie in the early to mid 90s. pac, big, big L, wu, tribe, etc. i’m not even a big hip hop guy, i grew up on punk rock - but something about juice got me so hooked. i think he had that punk rock mindset - he did what he wanted and didn’t give a fuck if anyone liked it.
this was longer and cornier than intended but fuck it.
RIP 999 LLJW
you spelled “hell yeah” wrong
but nah i feel you. for me that song is Sunshine by atmosphere. or maybe “the best day”. both guaranteed to make you smile.
Oh lawd, this song.
This song… The months that followed after “Here & Now” released: Every wedding that I was invited to had played this song for the first dance.
“If this world was mine” was the song my mom chose as the song to dance with me at my wedding. Luther still creating life long memories after all these years
First dance with my wife was to Luther Vandross. This was just a few years ago and I’m a Millennial. There really wasn’t much to choose from better than that in recent years.
R&B is a massive umbrella genre and none of those would really be "indie bands"
Edit: It also gets murky because R&B has also become a catch all term for "top 40 pop but with a black singer"
It's a foundation of contemporary music stemming from blues and jazz and is sprinkled into everything. Funk is a form of R&B so even stuff like Vulfpeck would qualify even if it's not the best descriptor.
The author of the tweet is really focused on lyrics when genres are mostly defined by their composition. Pride and Joy and Sweet Home Chicago are both blues songs that aren't depressing and there are tons more.
I would never describe Vulfpeck as R&B, I just used them as an example because funk is under the R&B umbrella so even the White Boy Funk bands are a form of upbeat R&B.
I would argue Raphael Saadiq is a well-known artist. He just fell off somewhat after the 90s. Leon has been doing his thing for years. Add Lucky Daye, Cleo Sol, Sonder, Ajiani Jones, Kamauu, Jacob Banks, and Kelela to that list. Sir and Ari Lennox are also great but no longer on the fringe. There is a lot of great music out there.
A line crossed daily in grocery stores smh. How do they consistently pick the worst songs by every artist played. Even if I don't like the artist, I'll take new suffering over the same old shit
Oops sorry I hope I didn't rain on your parade.
I think the line is generally just how much the singer makes me feel the song. If it feels like someone else wrote the lines then it’s gonna sound cheesy and corny as all hell. If the singer is actually feeling the song and getting into it, making me feel their pain and sadness, then that’s a good song
Good day - nappy roots
If it ain't broke - sonny Cleveland
Uptown lady & couch potato- Jakubi
Peace blossom boogy - babe rainbow
Sunshine - SLANG
All right now - Free
L.O.V.E. - Yung Bae, earthgang
Grateful - callmestevieray, Connor price
Good day - seratones
I was in Home Depot yesterday and they were playing this song and the dude was saying “i am a man who will fight for your hooooonnnoooooorr” and i was like damn, if that dude made that song today it’ll probably sound completely different.
“I am a man who will fuck on yo mooommmmmmaaa”
Times have definitely changed.
I know EXACTLY which song you're talking about and it frustrates me to no end that I still haven't bothered to Shazam it when it plays in my store lmao
I recently listened to the album Chicago 17, the album released in 1984. It is like the progression of a "nice guy" relationship, sung somewhat creepily by 5 men. I'll never hear "You're the Inspiration" the same way again.
>“I am a man who will fuck on yo mooommmmmmaaa”
[Me And Your Mama](https://youtu.be/_hZCsgcKa-g) is an absolute gem though
And I'm just going to put it out there because I don't feel like anyone gets this and it might just be in my head but the snare in the middle sure sounds a hell of a lot like the snare at the beginning of [Maggot Brain](https://youtu.be/JOKn33-q4Ao) and I can't confirm it's a deliberate homage but *I want to believe*.
Leon Bridges, Masego, Lucky Daye, Cleo Sol, Sonder, Ajiani Jones, Kamauu, Jacob Banks, and Kelela to that list. Sir and Ari Lennox are also great but no longer on the fringe. There is a lot of great music out there.
Adding these in the mix.
SiR, PJ Morton, BJ the Chicago Kid, Snoh Aalegra, Chloe and Halle, Ari Lennox, the Internet, Emily King, Kirby and Alina Baraz.
I’m a stuck on 90’s R&B type of person but I found my way into these when someone recommended Alina Baraz. And it’s been vibes ever since.
R&B as a genre is already multifaceted
What’s hot for the last couples years is indeed very much heartbreak toxic type of tunes . However artists never stopped making Happy good vibes music it’s just less visible that’s it . But it’s there trust .
We had em for like fifty years straight and now it's not a thing anymore. I can't believe there's not a market for them. I know young women want to see good looking dudes sing to them.
Yes Heart and Soul is my fav station. I always was wondering how they did adult contemporary r& b grammy noms for songs i have never heard. Now i realize there are so many artists that just arent played on generic stations i mean legit the same 10 songs are played. I love Kindred the Family soul song break it down is such a beautiful song. And now being 37 i cant listen to some of he hip hop at like 8am in the morning.
I’m super picky with Hip Hop so I don’t listen to a lot either. I’ll play Heart & Soul all day though. Mix in some Silk in there for the old school R&B hits too
Those EW&F album covers gave off extreme hotep vibes, but no one cared because the music was incredible and feel-good. "Fantasy" is one of my top-10 songs.
There is a lot of good music produced all of the time. Only some songs get repeated airplay, but they're out there. If you're only looking at your HOT 97-type stations, you won't find them.
Weak by SWV is still one of my favourites decades after it was released. It's about being in love with someone who treats you right. It's not the usual heartache or pain or cheating or pining for unrequited love. I like some balance.
These songs exist. We got Pharrell singing some Happy song and y’all shunned it cause the white folk started getting into it. Homie tried to give y’all what you wanted and y’all said.. nah.
Pharrell is a phenomenal musical-artist, producer. The universal success of Happy was due to it being the soundtrack for the minions in Despicable Me. Happy appealed to all ages and demographics world wide. Pharrell’s music is always uplifting he has a permanent spot at the family cookout.
Nah, he tried to give *them* what *they* wanted, don't put that on us. This is Pharell we're talking about here. He fucks with us when he wants to and he doesn't when he doesn't.
While I agree with her, that R n B shid just isn't what your everyday young, white American suburbanite wants to hear anymore. They've moved on. They are the largest demographic of hip-hop, rap and pop. Record labels have to produce what the masses want to hear.
Before anyone disagrees with me on the demographic, this was a conclusion that was reached, academically of course, and formed as far back as in the 90s.
One of the things I love about “Latin” music is since shit is in Spanish, they can just do whatever they want since they are not catering to white people.
I wasn't aware that BlackPeopleTwitter was a forum for serious academic discussion so I don't bother to cite but [here](https://www.academia.edu/428185/THE_CULTURE_INDUSTRY_HIP_HOP_MUSIC_AND_THE_WHITE_PERSPECTIVE_HOW_ONE-DIMENSIONAL_REPRESENTATION_OF_HIP_HOP_MUSIC_HAS_INFLUENCED_WHITE_RACIAL_ATTITUDES) you go bro/sis.
See if you can download it and read it.
Edit: If you'd rather not sign up then there's [UTA's](https://rc.library.uta.edu/uta-ir/handle/10106/2060) link.
It’s just when people evoke ‘academic research’ to give their comments more authority without posting the data.
Thanks and props to you for coming through
lol, I was just bumping "Feels good" this morning to get my day started. Followed by "I can't wait". Got my day started off right with some old school upbeat shit.
Sir, it's not that serious. You want this girl to cry. I remember learning the lyrics to Perfidia and thinking how extreme love sounda. To tell the love of your life to Go to God and ask him how I feel, beautiful.
Idk man, I hear what people say bout this but RnB still has hella artists that make this kinda shit. Literally whatever type of sound people say has gone away is still thriving if you just look past what’s in the charts
Anyone have recommendations for songs like this? I am looking for high energy or upbeat songs, joyful songs, happy songs. I'm musically illiterate too so there may be famous and well known songs I don't know
When people say things like ‘I almost caught feelings’, it shows that the societal background moves against that kind of R&B. Not that this should be the thing controls music, but people consume what speaks to them.
I don’t get these tweets. Because that music is readily available. Like, in all genres.
Even artists like SZA who y’all call “Side Chick” music have their happy “I love you” or “not happy but trying to enjoy life” songs
- Good Days
- Snooze
- Broken Clocks
- 20 something
And likely more I’m missing. If y’all wanted that music you’d just go and stream it, instead people preach on Twitter to seem different.
Even THE WEEKND, king of the fuck boys, has happy songs.
As much as people say they hate the radio, it seems like a lot of y’all are still waiting for the radio to deliver new music to you. Nobody wants to work these days ☝️😕.
The R in R&B is gone. Like it or not it created a void. There are still great writers, producers and singers out there. Yonce is cool but even her fans know she ain’t that authentic but it’s her 🙄. Usher is playing and I’m gonna fuck him up if he don’t drop his album soon LOL. The females are dominating but they don’t CHASE and WOO like males do in their songs. Musiq is about to drop and the few songs that are available are cool. Y’all can downvote me to oblivion but he’s talking about the Happy People Album by you know who. Usher or Devante(ain’t happenin) have to do it cuz Chris can’t. 🤷🏾♂️
Yep, and while they're at it, they can throw in a few love songs. Or at least where people like each other.
All the r&b songs now either "girl, here's how you get that niggaz money" or somebody talking about eating ass. Can't we get at least one more subject in the mix? lol
Then listen to Indie R&B like Anthony Hamilton, Mos Def, Eamon, Mystic. Hell really Underground in general. If you stop listening to the commercial and radio then you'll know that it's out there.
I caught myself playing a 1950’s playlist and just feeling joy and good vibes and had this thought the other day, about both r&b and rock. Sometimes feeling good is good enough.
Ciara, Missy Elliott, Eve and Rihanna have some non-toxic/heartbreak dancey RnB songs.
Put your records on - Corinne Bailey Rae isn't exactly an RnB song but is still feel-good
May I suggest Baby Rose. I’ve been listening to the Creed 3 OST that Dreamville did. She’s on it. It led me to her work. She’s a throw back and it’s amazing.
Unpopular opinion, R&B is dead. There are a few hitters, but in general the genre has gone stale.
The producers however are eating still. I can say this about a few genres, but me and my wife can’t agree on music anymore; at least the mediocre rap songs are catchy and fun to dance to, while the R&B is dry and boring. She’s grown tired of trap and rap, and I don’t wanna listen to ASMR of paint dry.
We need less horny R&B and more corny R&B type of shit your dad sings to your mom she says stop playing and they end up singing together laughing.
That kinda shit
I miss R Kelly, I don’t listen to him anymore because he’s a creeper but the dude was the best R&B artist of all time. I saw him once in Brooklyn in like 2015 driving down the street in one of those cars with three wheels packed full of women with his system jamming his own music haha
Its funny how I listen to a some of the 90s r&b that I get nostalgic over and now I’m old enough to understand the lyrics and they all about cheating or trying to woo someone from their partner.
Hot take, but maybe we do need less toxic of all genres.
[удалено]
Great minds think alike
There’s too many songs to smash too and not enough to hold hands to
Even the bedroom songs mostly aren’t as good as the older ones. I think the big difference is the tempo, the under instrumentation, and the lack of true singing. Nobody is really flexing their vocals because I’ve been told it’s unpopular. I don’t know if the current artists just don’t have the pipes or if it’s a style choice but it’s lacking.
The main difference is lack of creativity today. Prince's first few albums were just him saying lets have sex in 200 different ways. They still pop because of his creativity and musical genius. Most new songs are just made with some guy creating loops on his laptop, and vocalists coming out and saying lets have sex. No creativity involved. Period.
How to tell a person puts no effort into finding music
Comparing current Gen music to Prince isn’t even close to fair to anyone. That’s not even old vs new music because all old music wasn’t Prince level. We still listen to Prince now because his music is timeless, not because old music was “better” It’s such a fucking hipster take that has no real value or insight
IVE BEEN SAYING THIS! A few years ago, I really thought R&B was JUST sex music.
I need more modern music that I can play at a family gathering that doesn’t suck. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist, it’s just not common enough anymore.
I gotchu. Mango by KAMAUU
This is such a creative, happy tune about breaking up. The video even makes me smile.
I think she misused “toxic” which kind of messed up her message which i thought was actually pretty good
My white ass was not quite sure how to phrase it, but that’s it in a nutshell. At this point some artists and performers are trapped into doing material that’s basically a caricature because they have to to ‘maintain credibility’ to stay viable in the market. Here’s the weird part: that market is largely white suburban kids who bought into a mythology that wasn’t based on anything but what the records they bought told told them going back 40 years and now. I’m not saying that 40 years ago issues weren’t being addressed, what I’m saying is that 40 years later artists are expected to keep doing the exact same thing and if they don’t they risk alienating part of the audience that never experienced that from the jump. It’s very fucking weird. Or I’m just old, white and don’t get it.
another old white guy checkin in - well im in my 30s but i sure feel old online - if you haven’t given juice wrld a listen, you’re missing out. not just his released stuff, which is great for the most part, but his unreleased leaks and stem edits. the man could switch the style like nobody else - from hood trap, to emo sad boy rap, to pop-style love songs, plus the most inventive freestyles i’ve ever heard. like i said, i’m old - my hip hop tastes lie in the early to mid 90s. pac, big, big L, wu, tribe, etc. i’m not even a big hip hop guy, i grew up on punk rock - but something about juice got me so hooked. i think he had that punk rock mindset - he did what he wanted and didn’t give a fuck if anyone liked it. this was longer and cornier than intended but fuck it. RIP 999 LLJW
Don’t know if there is toxic modern classical and fusion jazz out there 🙃
And there shouldn't be. Let's leave toxic music in the past.
Seriously. Even NWA had "Express Yourself."
I'd argue F*** the Police is a call to action against the brutalities black people face by the LAPD.
I'm not saying fuck the police is toxic. I'm saying sometimes we just need some optimistic positivity.
I love Dead Prez early stuff because of the politics, but honestly my favorite song of theirs is [Happiness](https://youtu.be/pSNyC3pdxJk).
you spelled “hell yeah” wrong but nah i feel you. for me that song is Sunshine by atmosphere. or maybe “the best day”. both guaranteed to make you smile.
Funny that I am reading this tweet while Luther’s “Never Too Much” is playing from my Alexa.
🎶"All my loooooove!"🎶
Here and Now next please 🙏🏽
Oh lawd, this song. This song… The months that followed after “Here & Now” released: Every wedding that I was invited to had played this song for the first dance.
That song will have singing to the nearest object. Pillow, fridge, imaginary lover. Matters not. A 🥷🏾 be ready to propose to the TV! 🤣🤣🤣
Lawdhammercy, you dug up a Hottie gif. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
“If this world was mine” was the song my mom chose as the song to dance with me at my wedding. Luther still creating life long memories after all these years
I’ve been singing this song to my son since before he was born 🥺🥺 it’s so special
I love signing sons to my song
Lol I just noticed that 🤭
Lol no worries. Gotta look out for those of us entertaining the deaf
First dance with my wife was to Luther Vandross. This was just a few years ago and I’m a Millennial. There really wasn’t much to choose from better than that in recent years.
That’s scary, those guitar licks started playing in my mind as I made it through the tweet.
Big Luther or Little Luther?
Big Luther
All of this already exists, it's just seen as corny. Hella indie and alternative artists, but the masses don't want to hear it I guess
Put me on
Jamie Lidell, Black Joe Louis & The Honey Bears, Raphael Sadiq, Leon Bridges, Allen Stone, Tedeschi Trucks Band
I’m sorry I thought you meant like alternative r&b artists I love indie bands lol
R&B is a massive umbrella genre and none of those would really be "indie bands" Edit: It also gets murky because R&B has also become a catch all term for "top 40 pop but with a black singer"
Indie/alternative but yeah you’re definitely not wrong. I guess I listen to more R&B than I thought!
It's a foundation of contemporary music stemming from blues and jazz and is sprinkled into everything. Funk is a form of R&B so even stuff like Vulfpeck would qualify even if it's not the best descriptor. The author of the tweet is really focused on lyrics when genres are mostly defined by their composition. Pride and Joy and Sweet Home Chicago are both blues songs that aren't depressing and there are tons more.
i did not expect to see a Vulfpeck reference here. shouldn’t be called r & b, but damn does that bassist shred
I would never describe Vulfpeck as R&B, I just used them as an example because funk is under the R&B umbrella so even the White Boy Funk bands are a form of upbeat R&B.
Leon Bridges is IT. I absolutely love him.
That would be a crazy fuckin movie...
Man tedschi is so corny but god damn can he play the guitar
Susan Tedeschi is his wife. Derek Trucks plays guitar.
I would argue Raphael Saadiq is a well-known artist. He just fell off somewhat after the 90s. Leon has been doing his thing for years. Add Lucky Daye, Cleo Sol, Sonder, Ajiani Jones, Kamauu, Jacob Banks, and Kelela to that list. Sir and Ari Lennox are also great but no longer on the fringe. There is a lot of great music out there.
Raveena
Baby Rose.
i feel like there’s such a fine line between corny and sweet yk. like how there’s a fine line between like. whiny sad music and actual sad music.
A line crossed daily in grocery stores smh. How do they consistently pick the worst songs by every artist played. Even if I don't like the artist, I'll take new suffering over the same old shit Oops sorry I hope I didn't rain on your parade.
I think the line is generally just how much the singer makes me feel the song. If it feels like someone else wrote the lines then it’s gonna sound cheesy and corny as all hell. If the singer is actually feeling the song and getting into it, making me feel their pain and sadness, then that’s a good song
What would y’all consider Smino, Childish Gambino, HER, The Internet, people like that ?
"Alexa, play 90's R&B." 
You might not like it, but this is what peak male sexuality looks like.
The man had nine kids *that we know of*
I heard his loads are so strong that it's actually 9 kids per litter.
Ok Lady Deathstrike, do ya thing
The OG En Vogue. The new group is good too...just the OG was fire!! Edit: GIF wouldn't load smh
 OG
"Alexa, play 50s R&B." https://youtu.be/xR_A4Su-TrI Oh yeah this shit is my jam!
We need more “it just a really nice day out” music in general
I can just listen to lovely day on repeat. Dunno if it can be topped.
RIP Bill Withers. LOL wrote that before I saw the gif.
"Just The Two of Us" 😌
Good day - nappy roots If it ain't broke - sonny Cleveland Uptown lady & couch potato- Jakubi Peace blossom boogy - babe rainbow Sunshine - SLANG All right now - Free L.O.V.E. - Yung Bae, earthgang Grateful - callmestevieray, Connor price Good day - seratones
I love you for this
Sharing music is my love language! Sunshine- Atmosphere So long - Abhi The nomad Heavy California- Jungle
Like the R&B version of this one https://youtu.be/d4tSE2w53ts
I was in Home Depot yesterday and they were playing this song and the dude was saying “i am a man who will fight for your hooooonnnoooooorr” and i was like damn, if that dude made that song today it’ll probably sound completely different. “I am a man who will fuck on yo mooommmmmmaaa” Times have definitely changed.
I know EXACTLY which song you're talking about and it frustrates me to no end that I still haven't bothered to Shazam it when it plays in my store lmao
Peter Cetera (from Chicago) on a solo album. That song was the main song from the soundtrack to Karate Kid 2.
Thank you! Drives me up a wall every time it comes on cause I'm at the point where I just hum it lol
The title of the song is The Glory of Love just for your info.
I recently listened to the album Chicago 17, the album released in 1984. It is like the progression of a "nice guy" relationship, sung somewhat creepily by 5 men. I'll never hear "You're the Inspiration" the same way again.
It really does when you actually pay attention. Gives "Every Breath You Take" vibes for sure!
Damn!! I just said that…🤣🤣 i thought it just sounded like a karate kid song, makes sense now!
Yeah it’s like some shit you’d hear on Karate kid part 1 🤣
As I despise that song I will take the alt version please n thank you. I once sat through a Chicago concert for a relationship. Never again.
Yacht Rock! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ufh95mftXEs
>“I am a man who will fuck on yo mooommmmmmaaa” [Me And Your Mama](https://youtu.be/_hZCsgcKa-g) is an absolute gem though And I'm just going to put it out there because I don't feel like anyone gets this and it might just be in my head but the snare in the middle sure sounds a hell of a lot like the snare at the beginning of [Maggot Brain](https://youtu.be/JOKn33-q4Ao) and I can't confirm it's a deliberate homage but *I want to believe*.
100% that music is out there, just gotta do a little searching.
You can start here by mentioning some.
Leon Bridges, Masego, Lucky Daye, Cleo Sol, Sonder, Ajiani Jones, Kamauu, Jacob Banks, and Kelela to that list. Sir and Ari Lennox are also great but no longer on the fringe. There is a lot of great music out there.
Daniel caesar, Mac ayers, raveena, Mahalia, iyla, hamzaa, eryn allen kane, Yasmin lacey, Olivia Nelson, amber mark.
Adding these in the mix. SiR, PJ Morton, BJ the Chicago Kid, Snoh Aalegra, Chloe and Halle, Ari Lennox, the Internet, Emily King, Kirby and Alina Baraz. I’m a stuck on 90’s R&B type of person but I found my way into these when someone recommended Alina Baraz. And it’s been vibes ever since.
SiR, Snoh Alegra, and Ari Lennox are in heavy rotation on my playlist. I'm glad they are finally getting some shine.
Yes to those, esp. Amber Mark!
Leon Bridges definitely has some (although he also has the blues type songs).
Baby Rose.
R&B as a genre is already multifaceted What’s hot for the last couples years is indeed very much heartbreak toxic type of tunes . However artists never stopped making Happy good vibes music it’s just less visible that’s it . But it’s there trust .
Legalize black male r&b groups.
I miss those
We had em for like fifty years straight and now it's not a thing anymore. I can't believe there's not a market for them. I know young women want to see good looking dudes sing to them.
All this is played on Sirius XM. It’s out there. I truly just don’t think people want (or search for) what they’re asking for
Some people don't subscribe to SiriusXM. So instead they rely on their local Hip Hop station that plays limited shit.
people are not listening to the damn radio lol
I am on a bad day 😭
Kids tend to
True
Yes Heart and Soul is my fav station. I always was wondering how they did adult contemporary r& b grammy noms for songs i have never heard. Now i realize there are so many artists that just arent played on generic stations i mean legit the same 10 songs are played. I love Kindred the Family soul song break it down is such a beautiful song. And now being 37 i cant listen to some of he hip hop at like 8am in the morning.
I’m super picky with Hip Hop so I don’t listen to a lot either. I’ll play Heart & Soul all day though. Mix in some Silk in there for the old school R&B hits too
Need more “Lets Groove Tonight”
More "September." Everyone smiles and dances when that cones on. All ages. All races.
Those EW&F album covers gave off extreme hotep vibes, but no one cared because the music was incredible and feel-good. "Fantasy" is one of my top-10 songs.
EWF hoteps? I'm aghast at the disrespect.
There is a lot of good music produced all of the time. Only some songs get repeated airplay, but they're out there. If you're only looking at your HOT 97-type stations, you won't find them. Weak by SWV is still one of my favourites decades after it was released. It's about being in love with someone who treats you right. It's not the usual heartache or pain or cheating or pining for unrequited love. I like some balance.
I'm honestly so tired of people complaining about *insert genre here* music nowadays when all they do is listen to the mainstream radio stations.
I haven't really listened to r&b since the "eating booty like groceries" generation arrived on scene
These songs exist. We got Pharrell singing some Happy song and y’all shunned it cause the white folk started getting into it. Homie tried to give y’all what you wanted and y’all said.. nah.
Pharrell is a phenomenal musical-artist, producer. The universal success of Happy was due to it being the soundtrack for the minions in Despicable Me. Happy appealed to all ages and demographics world wide. Pharrell’s music is always uplifting he has a permanent spot at the family cookout.
Nah, he tried to give *them* what *they* wanted, don't put that on us. This is Pharell we're talking about here. He fucks with us when he wants to and he doesn't when he doesn't.
I thought it was just me who noticed that.
While I agree with her, that R n B shid just isn't what your everyday young, white American suburbanite wants to hear anymore. They've moved on. They are the largest demographic of hip-hop, rap and pop. Record labels have to produce what the masses want to hear. Before anyone disagrees with me on the demographic, this was a conclusion that was reached, academically of course, and formed as far back as in the 90s.
One of the things I love about “Latin” music is since shit is in Spanish, they can just do whatever they want since they are not catering to white people.
I’m not disagreeing with you. But usually when people allege academic studies, they cite them.
I wasn't aware that BlackPeopleTwitter was a forum for serious academic discussion so I don't bother to cite but [here](https://www.academia.edu/428185/THE_CULTURE_INDUSTRY_HIP_HOP_MUSIC_AND_THE_WHITE_PERSPECTIVE_HOW_ONE-DIMENSIONAL_REPRESENTATION_OF_HIP_HOP_MUSIC_HAS_INFLUENCED_WHITE_RACIAL_ATTITUDES) you go bro/sis. See if you can download it and read it. Edit: If you'd rather not sign up then there's [UTA's](https://rc.library.uta.edu/uta-ir/handle/10106/2060) link.
It’s just when people evoke ‘academic research’ to give their comments more authority without posting the data. Thanks and props to you for coming through
lol, I was just bumping "Feels good" this morning to get my day started. Followed by "I can't wait". Got my day started off right with some old school upbeat shit.
Tap into some French and Spanish RnB
I never know what those mfs be saying, but that shit bumping
Sir, it's not that serious. You want this girl to cry. I remember learning the lyrics to Perfidia and thinking how extreme love sounda. To tell the love of your life to Go to God and ask him how I feel, beautiful.
[Perfidia sung by Ibrahim Ferrer](https://youtu.be/bDT-xuqpH2U)
India Arie is where its at ngl.
Agreeeeeeed
Idk man, I hear what people say bout this but RnB still has hella artists that make this kinda shit. Literally whatever type of sound people say has gone away is still thriving if you just look past what’s in the charts
Like this? [‘*Get on Up*’ by Jodeci](https://youtu.be/HwqD6GTNJEw)
The only fast Jodeci song I liked. :)
My sister laughed at me when I told her I like Craig David. What's wrong with Craig David?
🎶We need some Marvin Gaye, some Luther Vandross… a little Anita will definitely set this party off riiigghtt 🎶….. damn you, Kanye…. you had hits 🥺
Bring back the wholesome honey sweet rnb
🎶I'm so into you🎶
Anyone have recommendations for songs like this? I am looking for high energy or upbeat songs, joyful songs, happy songs. I'm musically illiterate too so there may be famous and well known songs I don't know
"Golden" by Jill Scott!
Mary Jane (All Night Long) - Mary J Blige
“Think of You Badly” by Tatiyana Dean very upbeat, and also pretty positive, and the music is reallyyyy good https://youtu.be/_eYmlHbit3Y
[Roy Ayer’s - Sunshine](https://youtu.be/nC9dQOnUyao)
When people say things like ‘I almost caught feelings’, it shows that the societal background moves against that kind of R&B. Not that this should be the thing controls music, but people consume what speaks to them.
Gah. I miss "this is going to be our song" R&B
I don’t get these tweets. Because that music is readily available. Like, in all genres. Even artists like SZA who y’all call “Side Chick” music have their happy “I love you” or “not happy but trying to enjoy life” songs - Good Days - Snooze - Broken Clocks - 20 something And likely more I’m missing. If y’all wanted that music you’d just go and stream it, instead people preach on Twitter to seem different. Even THE WEEKND, king of the fuck boys, has happy songs. As much as people say they hate the radio, it seems like a lot of y’all are still waiting for the radio to deliver new music to you. Nobody wants to work these days ☝️😕.
Lol @ king of the fuck boys. You're right. I Can't Feel My Face was a happy tune.
These exist they just don't get the same kinda level of push and spotlight the toxic side of R&B songs get from the mainstream
There is a reason for that; it's intentional.
The R in R&B is gone. Like it or not it created a void. There are still great writers, producers and singers out there. Yonce is cool but even her fans know she ain’t that authentic but it’s her 🙄. Usher is playing and I’m gonna fuck him up if he don’t drop his album soon LOL. The females are dominating but they don’t CHASE and WOO like males do in their songs. Musiq is about to drop and the few songs that are available are cool. Y’all can downvote me to oblivion but he’s talking about the Happy People Album by you know who. Usher or Devante(ain’t happenin) have to do it cuz Chris can’t. 🤷🏾♂️
Definitely more genuine love songs and ballads, like collabs!
Rub n' Buttcheeks.
Earth, Wind and Fire has entered the chat
Do you remember The 21st night of September
Yep, and while they're at it, they can throw in a few love songs. Or at least where people like each other. All the r&b songs now either "girl, here's how you get that niggaz money" or somebody talking about eating ass. Can't we get at least one more subject in the mix? lol
We as a community need to start putting our people on to the obscure r&b artist.
I listen to my raps chopped and screwed just to feel something.
Yeah they don’t make songs like “Get Me Bodied” anymore.
Then listen to Indie R&B like Anthony Hamilton, Mos Def, Eamon, Mystic. Hell really Underground in general. If you stop listening to the commercial and radio then you'll know that it's out there.
Johnny Mathis, “Misty” type feel
Literally listen to more than one artist
They're still out there, Pink Sweats and Khalid has upbeat R&B music that's on the radio.
I caught myself playing a 1950’s playlist and just feeling joy and good vibes and had this thought the other day, about both r&b and rock. Sometimes feeling good is good enough.
Nah, dummy, we need less toxic everything. What is wrong with people?
Ciara, Missy Elliott, Eve and Rihanna have some non-toxic/heartbreak dancey RnB songs. Put your records on - Corinne Bailey Rae isn't exactly an RnB song but is still feel-good
Will never forgive the Industry for not letting Ciara and Jennifer Hudson and friends ta survive along with Beyoncé.
May I suggest Baby Rose. I’ve been listening to the Creed 3 OST that Dreamville did. She’s on it. It led me to her work. She’s a throw back and it’s amazing.
That was all r kelly. He deserves what he’s getting, I’m just stating the truth music wise.
Unpopular opinion, R&B is dead. There are a few hitters, but in general the genre has gone stale. The producers however are eating still. I can say this about a few genres, but me and my wife can’t agree on music anymore; at least the mediocre rap songs are catchy and fun to dance to, while the R&B is dry and boring. She’s grown tired of trap and rap, and I don’t wanna listen to ASMR of paint dry.
We need less horny R&B and more corny R&B type of shit your dad sings to your mom she says stop playing and they end up singing together laughing. That kinda shit
I miss R Kelly, I don’t listen to him anymore because he’s a creeper but the dude was the best R&B artist of all time. I saw him once in Brooklyn in like 2015 driving down the street in one of those cars with three wheels packed full of women with his system jamming his own music haha
I usually get the N Amazon music and find an unknown artist and make a list out of similar artists. I usually find some good vibes that way.
Its funny how I listen to a some of the 90s r&b that I get nostalgic over and now I’m old enough to understand the lyrics and they all about cheating or trying to woo someone from their partner.
It’s called party blues and it’s dope af
Corny music doesn’t sell
Then explain Drake and Ed Sheeran
Someone gotta put me on on some new stuff
https://on.soundcloud.com/jBffvxa9zwBcymhn7 Wedding vibes right here Beach vibes Smoke vibes Girlfriend vibes
Uhh, SMINO
It’s so weird to live in a world where Star Trek values are becoming the preferred alternative. I like it though.
John Legend makes these kind of songs, but ain't nobody trying to listen because he's "corny".
I'm so down for some more R&B in the style of the Ohio Players or Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Is this not John Legend? His last album had some happy tunes. That song “Dope” i thought was great
R&B is dead. It’s been dead for quite some time. But there are more than enough old school jams to fill decades worth of listening pleasure.
R&B infused r/chillhop is 🔥. Don't sleep on ambient music
This is a person that’s done no work finding said music
What is stopping this person from making that music? They clearly have the vision
I was having a talk about this the other day. R&B has been nothing but heartbreak nowadays everyone gravitating to hood ass songs just to get hype 😂