Q: Should R&B be called R&B?

BoomAM · 14 Dec 2006 at 09:31

Hi.
I was having this discussion with a few of my mates in the pub, should R&B even be called R&B?
We see artists like Ashanti, Mario, Beyonce, GwenStefani, ect; all classed as 'R&B', but where is the Rhytem & Blues in them?
I argued that it should really be classifyed as 'New Age Pop' or something 'pop', where as a mate seemed to think 'well as its classed as in shops, it must be'.

What do you lot think?

nutcase · 14 Dec 2006 at 09:33

Just call it ****. We all already know it is

Agreed though, it's nothing to do with R&B.

Smithy · 14 Dec 2006 at 09:50

No it shouldn't be called R&B, it's of no resemblence to the original Rhythm and Blues.
However i think the genre 'RnB' which is associated with the OP's listed artists doesn't try to be like the original R&B sound was, therefore i think RnB has become a genre of its own, the name just stuck.

Call it what they like though, it's still crap.

wozzizname · 14 Dec 2006 at 10:00

I quite like the original rhythm and blues from the 60's era, it really grates to hear this modern pap described as R'n'B.

SidewinderINC · 14 Dec 2006 at 10:04

does the modern R&B even stand for Rhythm & Blues? i assumed it meant something completely different as it is completely different :confused:

MrMoon · 14 Dec 2006 at 10:36

nutcase_1uk said:
Just call it ****. We all already know it is Agreed though, it's nothing to do with R&B.

agreed

Sutters · 14 Dec 2006 at 11:10

SidewinderINC said:
does the modern R&B even stand for Rhythm & Blues? i assumed it meant something completely different as it is completely different

I always thought it stood for Rap & Bull****, that's what I was told at least.

Chronos-X · 14 Dec 2006 at 11:54

Its just slowly evolved from what was R+B and the name has stuck. Doesn't really matter. To say its all **** shows complete misunderstanding, imo.

BoomAM · 14 Dec 2006 at 12:07

Chronos-X said:
Its just slowly evolved from what was R+B and the name has stuck. Doesn't really matter. To say its all **** shows complete misunderstanding, imo.

I wouldnt call it misunderstanding. That implys that people who like it have some snobish reason for liking it.
Its a case of people just not liking it. Simple as. Its not misunderstanding at all.

BigToe · 14 Dec 2006 at 12:08

nutcase_1uk said:
Just call it ****. We all already know it is Agreed though, it's nothing to do with R&B.

Spot on

iamdjdz · 14 Dec 2006 at 13:34

It now stands for 'Rhythmless and another word that i can't say relating to the lower part of male genetalia and starting with the same letter as Blues.'

Smithy · 14 Dec 2006 at 13:44

Meh, this is boring unless someone comes in here trying to contest that modern day R&B is actualy good.

nero120 · 14 Dec 2006 at 13:58

I thought it stood for Ras & Bumba, as in Clat.

Rhythm & Blues? You must be joking!

daz · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:19

Disliking an entire genre of music is rather bigoted.

Codmate · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:30

We used to call it 'soul music'.
Then there was soul/hip-hop, then new-jack swing...

God knows why people call it R&B - who started that trend?

A rose with any other name would smell as sweet

...and I agree that writing off an entire genre of music is rather sad.
If you don't like it, fair enough, say "I don't like R&B", but music is entirely subjective, unless you're talking in technical terms, so hard value judgements are pointless.

Saying all of any genre is "rubbish" merely displays ignorance.

Smithy · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:39

daz said:
Disliking an entire genre of music is rather bigoted.

Why?

daz · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:45

Because it's akin to saying "I hate comedy movies" or "I hate action films". Sure, you might not like the vast majority of them, but there's always films (and bands and songs) that surprise you. Just keep an open mind.

BoomAM · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:45

daz said:
Disliking an entire genre of music is rather bigoted.

I agree.
But on the other foot, classifying music into such rigid genrè groups is equally as daft imo.

daz · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:46

BoomAM said:
But on the other foot, classifying music into such rigid genrè groups is equally as daft imo.

Agreed, I just like music.

Smithy · 14 Dec 2006 at 14:50

daz said:
Because it's akin to saying "I hate comedy movies" or "I hate action films".

Yes it is, thats exactly what it is. But why is that bigoted?

I can honestly hand on heart say that I dislike all Heavy Metal (that distortion stuff) music, and i can say with confidence that i wont enjoy a song if it can be defined under this genre. Im not bigoted.