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The sound of R&B is difficult to pin down. Since the 1950s, the label has been used both as a genre and as a catch-all for the entirety of black popular music. Soul, funk, disco and even hip-hop have at times been covered by this "R&B" umbrella. On Chance The Rapper's new album, The Big Day, all of these influences come through—and he's not alone. On recent Kehlani records, 90s R&B and 2000s trap both play a role. But both these artists are a far cry from the 50s R&B sounds of Sam Cooke. To understand how R&B has changed over time, we consult with Trevor Anderson, manager of Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop chart. Then we speak with R&B super-producer Oak Felder to understand how R&B is progressing and what it might become.
Songs Discussed- Chance The Rapper - Hot Shower
- Chance The Rapper - I Got You
- Sam Cooke - You Send Me
- Elvis Presley - Crying In the Chapel
- The Temptations - I Can’t Get Next To You
- Mtume - Juicy Fruit
- Biggie - Juicy
- Toni Braxton - Breath Again
- Janet Jackson - That’s The Way Love Goes
- Boys II Men - I’ll Make Love To You
- Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
- Diddy - I’ll Be Missing You (feat. Faith Evans & 112)
- Nelly - Dilemma
- Kehlani - Distraction
- SWV - Weak
- Aaron Hall - I Miss You
- Usher - You Make Me Wanna
- Brandy - Sittin' Up In My Room
- Dru Hill - In My Bed
- Silk - Freak Me
- Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry
- Jodeci - Cry For you
- Mariah Carey - Vision of Love
- Kehlani - Everything Is Yours
- Chance The Rapper - All Day Long
- Queen - Fat Bottom Girls
- Diana Ross - I’m Coming Out
For an in depth history of R&B on Billboard, read Chris Molanphy's feature on Pitchfork.
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