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Contemporary R&B (also known
as R&B, urban) is a music genre of western popular music (predominantly
American and Canadian in origin) the current iteration of the genre
that began in the 1940s as rhythm and blues music. Although the
acronym "R&B" originates from its association with
traditional rhythm and blues music, the term R&B is today most
often used to define a style of African American music originating
after the demise of disco in the 1980s. This newer style combines
elements of soul, funk, dance, and, from 1986 on with the advent
of New Jack Swing branded R&B, hip hop.
The abbreviation R&B is almost always used instead of the full rhythm and blues term, although some sources refer to the style as urban contemporary (the name of the radio format that plays hip hop and contemporary R&B) . Contemporary R&B has a slick, electronic record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, the occasional guitar riff to give the song a rock feel, the occasional sax solo to give a jazz feel (mostly common in R&B songs prior to the year 1993), and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. Uses of hip hop-inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop is usually reduced and smoothed out. R&B vocalists are often known for their use of melisma.
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