Music Choice: Hip Hop and R&B

Looking for some new music to add to your collection? Check out our latest playlist, full of the best hip hop and R&B tracks around!

Introduction

Though often thought of as one and the same, hip hop and R&B are two distinct and popular genres of music. Both genres have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with hip hop becoming the most streamed genre on Spotify in 2019 and R&B following closely behind. But what are the differences between the two genres? And what are some of the most popular artists in each genre?

What is hip hop?

Hip hop is a form of popular music that originated in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. It consists of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling beats or bass lines from records, and rhythmic beatboxing. While often used to refer solely to rapping, “hip hop” more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture.

What is R&B?

R&B is a genre of music that originated in the African-American community in the 1940s. The term R&B is an abbreviation for rhythm and blues. The genre was originally used to describe a style of music that combined blues and jazz. Over time, the genre developed into a distinct sound that became popular with both black and white audiences.

Today, R&B is one of the most popular genres of music. It includes a wide range of subgenres, such as soul, neo-soul, funk, and hip-hop. R&B artists are known for their distinctive vocal styles and their ability to create emotional connections with their fans.

R&B music is typically associated with love, heartbreak, and relationships. However, it can also be used to express other emotions, such as joy, anger, or introspection. R&B songs often deal with personal topics, such as love, sex, and heartbreak. However, they can also be about social issues or general life experiences.

History

The history of hip hop and R&B is long and complicated, with both genres evolving out of the same African American communities in the 1970s. Early hip hop was characterized by its party-like atmosphere and its focus on creativity and self-expression. R&B, on the other hand, was more focused on creating catchy melodies and hooks.

Origins of hip hop

Hip hop music originated in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York City. It is a genre of music that is characterized by a strong rhythmic beat and often contains elements of Rap, DJing, and Graffiti. Hip hop music has become one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with artists such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and Tupac Shakur becoming household names.

Origins of R&B

The origins of the term “R&B” are disputed. One claim is that the term was coined by Jerry Wexler in 1947, when he was working as a journalist for Billboard magazine. According to Wexler, the term was created to describe the music of African-American artists who were blending blues and gospel sounds. Another claim is that the term was first used by MAW in 1952, when they launched their R&B chart. Whatever the case may be, the term “R&B” has been used to describe a wide range of music Styles over the years, including soul, funk, disco, and hip hop.

Popularity

In recent years, Hip Hop and R&B music have become increasingly popular. This genre of music has been able to appeal to a wide range of people, and its popularity does not seem to be slowing down. In this article, we will discuss the popularity of Hip Hop and R&B music.

Hip hop’s popularity

Hip hop’s popularity is at an all-time high. In 2017, Nielsen Music reported that hip hop and R&B music were the two most popular genres in the United States. And, according to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), hip hop sales grew by 5 percent in 2017, while overall music sales fell by 1.3 percent.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to hip hop’s recent success. For one, streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have made it easier than ever for people to discover and listen to new music. In addition, a number of high-profile artist releases have helped to raise the genre’s profile. Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., for example, was one of the year’s best-selling albums, while Drake’s “God’s Plan” was one of the year’s most popular songs.

Looking ahead, it seems likely that hip hop will continue to be one of the world’s most dominant musical genres.

R&B’s popularity

Today, R&B is one of the most popular genres of music. It is enjoyed by people of all ages, and its popularity is only increasing. There are many reasons for its popularity, but some of the most important ones are its ability to tell stories, its wide range of emotions, and its catchy beats.

R&B is known for its ability to tell stories. These stories can be personal, such as love stories or break-up songs, or they can be about social issues, such as racism or poverty. R&B artists often sing about their own experiences, which makes their music relatable to their fans. In addition, R&B songs often have catchy melodies and beats that are easy to dance to.

R&B is also a genre that covers a wide range of emotions. While some songs are happy and upbeat, others are sad and emotional. This variety gives listeners the opportunity to feel all types of emotions when they listen to R&B music. Additionally, R&B songs often have lyrics that are easy to understand and relate to. This makes them perfect for listening to when you want to relax or think about your day.

Overall, there are many reasons why R&B is so popular today. Its ability to tell stories, evoke emotion, and provide catchy tunes make it a favorite among listeners of all ages.

Influence

When most people think of Hip Hop and R&B, they think of the music that is played on the radio. However, these two genres have had a much larger influence on society. They have been responsible for breaking down racial barriers, and they have also had an impact on fashion, language, and dance.

Hip hop’s influence

One of the most important aspects of hip hop is the way that it has been able to influence other areas of pop culture. Over the last few decades, hip hop music has had a significant impact on fashion, film, television and even language.

For example, many fashion designers have been inspired by hip hop culture to create lines of clothing that are popular with young people. Some films and TV shows have also been created specifically about hip hop culture, or have featured hip hop music prominently. And many people who are not even fans of hip hop music have adopted some of the slang and mannerisms associated with it.

In general, then, it is fair to say that hip hop has had a profound and widespread influence on popular culture. It is one of the most popular and influential music genres in the world today, and its influence looks set to continue for many years to come.

R&B’s influence

It’s hard to overestimate the influence that R&B has had on American music. The genre has its roots in the blues, but it has also been shaped by gospel, jazz, and rock and roll. R&B was the sound of the Civil Rights movement, and it gave birth to soul music. In the 1970s and 1980s, R&B was dominated by disco and then by quiet storm. In the 1990s, R&B became a catch-all term for black pop music, encompassing everything from new jack swing to neo-soul. And in the 21st century, R&B has been influenced by hip hop, resulting in a sound that is both sexy and gritter than ever before.

Conclusion

After investigating and listening to both Hip Hop and R&B, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer Hip Hop. I like the way that the music is produced and the way that it sounds. R&B is too slow and soft for me. I also like the lyrics in Hip Hop songs. They are often about real life experiences and they tell a story.