Throughout its many years of transformation, R&B music has progressed from having a distinct soulfulness to experimenting and fusing with other genres.
It’s no secret that R&B has always been a blend of different musical elements, techniques, and genres. In more recent years, however, we are now seeing even more innovative styles and takes on classic R&B from new emerging artists.
Tommy Richman Sets Record on Top Chart
Photo via YouTube
Popular and renowned R&B artist, Brent Faiyaz, featured Tommy Richman’s talent on their collaboration of “Upset“, the ninth track of Faiyaz’s album, “Larger than Life“, released in October of last year. Both artists’ slyness paired extremely well together on this collaboration, making for a catchy addition to this R&B album.
A snippet of Richman’s single, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY“, has gained a lot of popularity through TikTok before its release in April, growing Richman’s fanbase exponentially in just a month. “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” took Number One on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 and continued to keep its well-deserving rank for six straight weeks. Richman even made it on the Billboard Top 100 for his first time ever.
Many have appreciated the song for its fusion of R&B with funk, as well as its aggressive and bouncy bass. Two versions of the song were released, a studio version and a VHS version, leaving many fans, new and old, overjoyed, as they were able to experience a more organic and urban feel, which is what had many falling in love with the song in the first place.
Even Richman’s music videos for “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” and his newest single, “DEVIL IS A LIE“, have that same VHS authenticity, taking listeners back in time.
Matt Martians and His Notes of Psychedelic Jazz
Singer and producer, Matt Martians, who was formerly a part of music group, The Internet, released his most recent album this past January as “Matt’s Missing“.
Photo via Spotify
Martians’ album has been labeled as psychedelic-soul, playing with hallucinogenic effects and combining R&B and jazz with electronic sounds.
Psychedelic soul, often known as ‘black rock’, used to be an intermixing of psychedelic rock with soul music, which set the stage for mainstream funk. All of these R&B developing subgenres seem to be interconnected in one way or another.
Even Martians’ cover of the album takes on this psychedelic feel, with bright, deep colors blanketing a distorted and intriguing visual. Mushrooms are intertwined with keyboards, as Martians’ portrait stands in the midst.
Neo-Soul Breaking off from R&B
One of R&B’s rising sub-genres, Neo-soul, has been hitting mainstream success even more. Neo-soul has been known to fuse classic R&B and soul with characteristics from hip-hop, jazz, and funk. Recognizable artists include Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill, Anderson .Paak, and even Alicia Keys.
Hotel Ugly, run by artist Mike Vince, released its R&B single, “The Ballad of Eddie Jabuley”, following its very successful Neo-soul single, “Shut Up My Moms Calling”.
Photo via Spotify
“Shut Up My Moms Calling” has been tokened by some as ‘bedroom pop’, likely because of its chill and groovy sound.
Self-taught singer, songwriter, and producer, Qendresa, from London released her R&B single, “2 Much“, in February of this year, implementing a funky, yet romantic and mysterious, sound to her R&B style. Following this is her newest single from this month, “Undercover Letter”, which establishes her even more as a Neo-soul artist. Echoes are woven through the song as electronic notes bounce throughout.
Qendresa takes on a similar style, comparable to Tommy Richman, with her music videos. “2 Much” takes on an old graininess, even implementing simple black-and-white footage.
R&B seems to be simultaneously taking listeners back in time while going through a new entrancing adventure. Regardless, R&B will always be a storyteller, but now we have many new ways to experience it.
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