So You Want to Listen to R&B: Travel Through Time

Now widely recognized as soulful and chill music brought to life with various musical instruments, the genre of rhythm and blues, also known as R&B, was originally introduced to market African American music in the 1940s, a time of strictly enforced racial segregation and Jim Crow laws. Jerry Wexler, who served as a music marketing executive on Billboard Magazine’s board, created the term in 1947 to standardize a universal acceptance of African American music. Originally called the demeaning term “race records,” R&B, similarly to hip-hop, directly reflects the development of music and the social issue of racism in American history. It combines pop, gospel, blues, African American swing, and jazz elements with a strong backbeat.

Now, contemporary R&B takes stronger influences from hip-hop than jazz, and its simplicity invites listeners to contemplate the lyrics on a much deeper level than is possible with other genres of music. This is a list of well-known and cherished R&B songs from the contemporary era and showcases many of the different styles that can be seen in the genre:

“Like a Tattoo” by Sade (1992)

Known for her sophisticated artistic take on making music, Sade — along with the instrumentals from her band members — softly conveys the heart-wrenching story of a man killing another person during a time of war. The raw emotion in her voice is wholly felt through simple yet expressive instrumentals: two guitar lines — a consistent strum and a melodic line — that contrast with the powerful keyboard melodies.

“Pink Matter” by Frank Ocean ft. André 3000 (2012)

While we can all yearn for the day when Frank Ocean will drop new music, it never hurts to go back and listen to the classics, one of them being “Pink Matter.” Experiencing revelations about women, men, and himself through the help of a “sensei,” Ocean transcends the makings of his mind with a down-to-earth beat — which is, of course, complemented by André 3000’s swift flow.

“Bed Peace” by Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino (2013)

Though not one of her most well-known songs, Jhené Aiko introduces listeners to her atmospheric singing and songwriting style through “Bed Peace.” Along with Childish Gambino, she explores the complications of love and life, all while putting listeners into a deep trance with her calming vocals.

“Poetic Justice” by Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake (2013)

Kendrick Lamar has revolutionized the hip-hop genre through the impassioned lyrics he raps with a flow unlike any other artist’s in the industry. This number is no different. Though it takes on an R&B feel, complete with a tranquil beat and feminine vocalizations in the background compared to the lively beats he typically incorporates into his songs, he still manages to adeptly pay tribute to his past and the people in it.

“Right My Wrongs” by Bryson Tiller (2016)

Bryson Tiller's music is apparent in its inspiration from the three genres of R&B, hip-hop, and trap. It’s the type of music that makes a person dance all night but also chill in bed with headphones on and the volume all the way up. In “Right My Wrongs,” Tiller emphasizes the emotion of this song with the melancholy intro sample, further intensified with the introduction of the hi-hat and bass later on.

“Redbone” by Childish Gambino (2016)

“Awaken, My Soul!” was Childish Gambino’s breakthrough R&B album, with “Redbone” winning him a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance. It’s no wonder that words simply fall short in describing the psychedelic funk trip this tune takes listeners through. Toward the end, while it seems as if the song is about to finish, the introduction of an edgy electric guitar solo leaves listeners with overwhelming fire in their minds as it finally concludes.

“Searchin’” by Sonder (2017)

To “sonder” means to realize that everyone’s lives are as whole and real as one’s own. As such, it only makes sense that Brent Faiyaz’s R&B trio creates thought-provoking music to make way for listeners to search for the missing puzzle in their lives as they enjoy the rainy-day vibes that “Searchin’” brings about, complete with passionate vocals and laid-back drums.

“Best Part” by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R (2017)

To fall in love, but also be exposed to its complexities, is to listen to Daniel Caesar’s music. Along with H.E.R.’s ariose vocals, Caesar’s play on trance-like lyrics accentuates the sheer feeling of being starstruck by another person. “If you love me, won’t you say something? / If you love me, won’t you?” is all that runs through listeners’ minds as they take in the serene guitar strums and exposed drum beats in the background.

“Girls Need Love” by Summer Walker (2018)

Summer Walker is another influential female R&B artist who has recently dominated the industry. The hallucinogenic effect that “Girls Need Love” induces in listeners is only a glimpse into the type of music that Walker creates. This tune powerfully demonstrates her songs' dark and edgy feeling.

“Like I Want You” by Giveon (2020)

Like many artists on this list, Giveon expresses his thoughts on love in his music — mainly in the form of heartbreak. “Like I Want You” and “Heartbreak Anniversary” are notably his most well-known breakup songs, but the former, though less popular, encapsulates his talent succinctly. Giveon’s music possesses an old-timey feeling that he modernized with inspiration from Frank Sinatra and delivers a neo-soul vibe that allows listeners to feel his heartbreak through his voice.

“Alone Again” by The Weeknd (2020)

“Alone Again” perfectly captures the essence of The Weeknd’s style — dark synth chords powered by a trip-hop beat with a heavy drum. Though most of his vocals are more pronounced in other songs, this tune captures a delicate side of the artist, exaggerating the R&B inspiration in the piece.

“Yebba’s Heartbreak” by Drake and YEBBA (2021)

Though Drake has no vocals on the 11th track of his album “Certified Lover Boy,” YEBBA soulfully expresses her emotions in lyric form, accompanied by only a piano counter-melody (in the true sense of R&B). She has collaborated with artists like A$AP Rocky, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, and many others bringing about an R&B feel with her emotional vocals.