I believe that the fate of Jill Scott's career will also, ultimately, decide that of the R&B genre. On September 25, 2007 , Scott will release The Real Thing, her third studio album. If successful, the album will not only bring much-needed support, attention, and mainstream success to a cadre of talented R&B artists, like India.Arie and Musiq Soulchild, but also support the foundations of a genre that is in desperate need of a savior. Granted, it goes without saying that Jill Scott does not fit the music industry's mainstream molds of beauty or success. She's assertive, independent, dark-skinned, and intelligent. A stark contrast from other contemporary artists, her success would speak just as much about the world's perceptions of the qualities of black women as it would say about black music. More importantly, Scott's success would serve as a public dismantling of the notion that one has to sell their body, "soul," or image in order to sell a record.
So… is R&B really dead? In all honesty, R&B, if not dead, is on life support. The state of R&B music is a direct reflection of the state of Black America. As the division between the "haves" (those who make it) and the "have-nots" (those left along the wayside) increases, the viability of group cohesiveness decreases. It is troubling that artists and industry insiders that have made it to the mountaintop and experienced great personal and financial success tend to also be the ones that fail to take risks in creating or supporting alternative voices and cultural discourse — lest they too should fall. When did it become impossible or improbable for the world's best-selling black artists to reflect deeply about the world that surrounds them or challenge their listeners to think or expect the unexpected or demand more than a catchy hook laced over a flashy beat? When will consumers, in particular black ones, begin to support artists that address the realities of race, sex and politics as much as those that create mindlessly entertaining club-bangers? Balance is needed, not only in the representations of blackness in music and other mass media but, also, in Black America's reception of the status quo, for Black Americans are not a monolithic people. There is as much room for Beyonce and Usher, as there is for Tamia and Brian McKnight. However, the reality of the situation is this: if Black America looked at itself, naked and unashamed, an artist like Jill Scott would shine back in the mirror. Jill Scott is the truth and her music is honest and reflective of our times, even if Timbaland fails to produce her tracks. If we, as black people, find the music of Jill Scott unmarketable, undesirable and unworthy of our financial support, then what are we saying about the "soul" of us? Perhaps we, too, are dead.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - menoftheage
Yes, traditional R&B is dying, but please, don't bring Beyonce and Usher in it to make them look bad and to be the fault of it all. You cannot blame them for wanting to spread their wings, break new ground, and appeal to mainstream audiences. Especially when the music is as brilliant as "Crazy in Love," fun and clever as "Yeah" or has an amazing melody like "Irreplaceable." If you don't see their influences then you must be blind. People like that kind of music. Not every artist has to make serious, fun sucking songs. Why can't some artists release music that is simply fun; but know if it isn’t talking about "Real Love," or "What’s going on" and other sometimes serious shit like that, it isn’t real music. Don’t get me wrong, those are great records, especially the Marvin song. But who says they have to be the model of what music must always sound like? I'm black and I find nothing wrong with the music Usher and Beyonce makes, other than the fact that it can be a bit formulaic and in the case of Usher especially, low in quality, sometimes. Beyonce's "B'Day" is an album about female empowerment and many critics have picked up on that detail and noted how well she expresses it. She does not do it in the way Jill or Indie would, but she does it in a fun and high quality way. The difference between her music and those artists you mentioned is that she can be lighthearted and fun sometimes. Even when she's singing a song that has a strong message, the listening pleasure is still in tact. When she's bad is when she makes cliché ridden shit like "listen," which is the kind of Whitney Houston sappiness R&B hopefully will never get back to. Music should be about entertainment first and foremost, and if you don’t see the pleasure in a top female pop star telling her ladies to “pat your weave girl,” the you have clearly missed it.
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"Not every artist has to make serious, fun sucking songs. Why can't some artists release music that is simply fun..."
Obviously, you didn't read the man's article. R&B's roots were founded in hardship,passion & the ability to rise above. He is merely stating that today's R&B artists really only write "Fun" songs with no real message.
There has to be some sort of balance and if all we do is measure music standards by what sells the most then we won't have a real outlet for the musicians with talent...Wasn't it at one time that the R&B/Hip-hop community was professing about having an open mind?
R&B,Rock,Metal,Jazz,Pop - It affects every genre.
*BTW* Great Article...
3 - menoftheage
^ It would be good if there was a balance, but how can you expect these singers to sing about crisis and hardship if they have never had any? Talent has nothing to do with it. Beyonce and Usher want to make music that creates a pleasurable listening experience for listeners. What's wrong with that? Truth is, they are not strictly even R&B artists. Pop/Hip-hop should be used to describe them before the word R&B is used. Maybe it has to do with taste. Personally, music is a means of escape from some of life's painful realities. It is also a means of entertainment, the same way movies and sports are. Music can be relaxing, fun, and even has a great message like Marvin Gaye's "What's going on," no matter what, as long as it is high in quality and not stupid like "A bay bay," I'm down with it.
4 - kellzfan
You don't know what you're talking about. R.Kelly is the most consistent and influential R&B artist of his time. Every artist that comes after him will be inspired by him in their own way. His music will live on in the hearts of fans, and even people who are not fans. R.Kelly is very versatile and he has made music of almost every genre. If you don't like him that's fine but don't make the outrageous statement that R.Kelly aids in the downfall of R&B.
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"Talent has nothing to do with it."
Sorry, but I disagree... Talent has everything to do with it. Talent shines through when you can touch upon a subject even if you've never experienced it firsthand. I was never saying that all I want to hear is music in crisis mode,but,all the crap I ever hear on the radio is either about making love or breaking up. How's that fun?
6 - bgotti
Didnt Musiq Soulchilds newest CD debut fairly high on the charts? And didnt Usher release "Let it Burn" in between those two records? And what about artists like Anthony Hamilton, Ne-yo, etc. This article doesnt bring up important points that would discredit the idea that R&B is dying. Yes, R&B sales are down, as are ALL sales... hip hop, rock, Pop, etc. R&B isnt dead, people are just finding different avenues, and artists, to enjoy it.
7 - menoftheage
^ I agree with you, radio sucks. My point is why use Beyonce or Usher to strengthen your argument. Yes they can be formulaic, over produced and a few of their singles can be a bit low in quality no matter how fun it is (check on it tonight...). However, can we truly blame them for the downfall of R&B music? It’s much bigger than that. No matter how talented an artist is, it is their star quality that decides how successful they become. The problem with most true current R&B artists is that they lack star quality. Alicia Keys is a true R&B artist and she is one of the best selling and most successful artists this decade. She, unlike India or Jill, has the extra "pizzazz" necessary to make it in this business. She has expanded her appeal to appeal to mainstream audiences yet still stay true to herself and her genre. Besides, these artists have talents in different areas. No one can put on a show or give a better performance than Beyonce, filled with great vocals and eye catching dancing, and Usher is also very impressive. Artists like Jill and Indie are better at allowing their Talent to shine through when they touch on a subject even if they've never experienced it firsthand.
8 - Clayton Perry
@ bgotti ... Musiq Soulchild's Peak Performance on the Hot 100 (in reverse chronological order): "Teachme" (#42), "B.U.D.D.Y." (#36), "Whoknows" (#65), "Forthenight" (#53), "Dontchange" (#17), "Halfcrazy (#16), "Girl Next Door" (#85), "Love" (#24) and "Just Friends" (#31). Over the past seven years, Musiq has found moderate success. His first two CDs went platinum and his third went gold. While his fourth, latest album debuted at #1, he STRUGGLED to get gold certification for the disc. Current sales stand at roughly 500,000 [US]. Unfortunately, for the next go-around, I posit that he will suffer the same fate as Brian McKnight.
9 - Clayton Perry
@ bgotti ... Of Anthony Hamilton's six singles, only two charted on the Hot 100: "Charlene" (#19) and "Can't Let Go" (#71). His performance on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts was hardly any better: "Nobody Else" (#63), "Comin' from Where I'm From" (#60), "Charlene" (#3), "Can't Let Go" (#13), "Sista Big Bones" (#51) and "Struggle No More" (#32). In addition, his latest CD, "Southern Comfort," has failed to receive certification of any sort.
10 - Bluedoll
I agree with Kellzfan. I'm also a Kellz fan and supporter. How can you say that R. Kelly has pulled the trigger in R&B music? He is R&B's Prime Mister, and the most influential artists out there. R&B music is NOT dyin' out. So, don't put the blame on him (Kellz).
11 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"No matter how talented an artist is, it is their star quality that decides how successful they become."
Usually when someone is "Ultra" talented they don't have to have total focus on the task at hand, i.e; Singing,Dancing,Drumming,playing the Axe.Take for instance Elvis Presley, that man could sing the dictionary and make it sound sweet. He focused on the message & his presentation. So,it's not pizzaz you are talking about, it's passion.
If you are a true musician...
12 - shell
I agree with this article 100%. They problem is no one is making music to make good music. They are too worried about creating hits to get a movie deal, a clothes line deal, or a product deal. Beyonce is not a musician, she is a businesswoman, like Jay Z, 50 cent, and the rest of them. Ms. Knowles has presented herself as a commodity being sold to the highest bidder. B'Day is horrible. The whole album is about product placement and being materialistic. Too many of today's artists are trying to get on MTV Cribs or be on the Forbes 100 list.
13 - Phil R
Problem is, this isn't a question of "musical" talent, its about entertainment. The majority of Black people today are far more entertained by simple, feel good music with no substance and no longer the deep introspectic messages of the days of struggle. The majority doesn't have to worry about sitting in the back of the bus, being dragged behind a truck and hung or even dealing with being verbally assaulted for being black on a regular basis. The times have changed. The struggles are still there but its not like it was, the world isn't as bad as it was for black people in the days of R&B's beginnings. Otherwise we'd still be singing those "old negro spirituals" and meeting by the waterside. Music is a way to express and communicate with each other, an alternative to speech. So if we're not speaking the same, acting the same or dressing the same way to express ourselves as black people, why would our music be sending the same message.
R&B is dying because its becoming obsolete as a medium. The soul is changing, the world is changing and we as black people have to change with it in a way that benefits us all. Booty shaking and posting up on a wall like a thug may not be the best route, but if thats where the majority is headed, hell with them. Who is stopping the discerning Afro-American from being different?
As far as I'm concerned, my blackness isn't determined by the music i make/enjoy. So if R.Kelly is taking his flock of rats down by the waterside and drowning them in piss, they must enjoy it so more power to them. I'll be posted up next to my piano and guitar singing the blues, wailing away with all the new space in the pool. Music is better when its underground anyway.
14 - A.J.
I was really feeling this article. Very critical at times and your own opinions are quite clear, but what i admired most was your strong hold on both sides of the issue. I found it extremely daring of you to bring Usher and Beyonce under the microscope. I know this had to rattle a few nerves lol. Even I'll have to admit that I found myself on the defensive side once or twice throughout, but you really put some of my views to the test. I honestly don't believe that hip hop or R&B will ever die off, but it has recently, and will continually be undermined and unappreciated simply for the sake of greed. Attaining the all mighty dolla has become the only goal. The consumers never helps to even bring some form of balance back to the genre. Black people's insatiable thirst for mindless, simple, and naive entertainment will continue to hurt only themselves, while making these white record company owners a hell of a lot richer.
I don't even feel like taking the time to argue or debate with half the misguided minds that attempted to debase this article with nothing more than ignorantly biased and emotional support for their favorite singers. So I won't lol
Beyonce is one confused lady! Usher has had no lasting impact! They just perfected their pop/R&B blend and we bought it. It's not a bad thing, it's only bad when you sit back and try to think of what the happened to the other side. For instance, a white co-worker of mine once asked me to count the number of true R&B female singers that came out after Aliyah died. And sadly, i can honestly tell you that i didn't have to use my other hand. And what can I say about "The R," (niggerishly pronounced..."The Are-ruh" LMAO) It speaks for itself. How old is this nigga? I was like five when he use to wear a vest with no under shirt. WTH??? lol. In the words of my good friend Jay West, "We are living in a world, where niggas who can't read...WRITE BOOKS!" Run for ya lives! lol
Good Shit Clayton!
15 - just thinking...
To say that R&B is "dead" is just a bit too much for me. Yes, there are a lot of artists that are out just because of their looks, but R&B is always evolving. I adore Jill Scott because she sings from her soul, but frankly I don't want to hear that when I go to the club or when I'm trying to dance in my house. That's why I also appreciate performers like Beyonce. Of course she's not the best vocally, but the girl is an entertainer. I think we as black people get stuck in the mindset that our singers have to be like Aretha, Patti, Phyllis, Chaka, or Gladys, but we never take the time to realize that they took something that THEY grew up with and changed it into what we grew up knowing as R&B. Life is about growth and change. Traditional is not always going to be what's popular so instead of trying to discredit people like Beyonce, R. Kelly, and Usher, why don't you go think of a way to help bring more vocally talented artists like Jill Scott, Lyfe Jennings, Anthony Hamilton, Goapele, and Musiq Soulchild to the forefront. Go support them instead of being a flat-out hater.
16 - Angelique
some of ya'll are seriously hatin....let me see you make a decent song but neways there is a difference between soul, neo soul, and r&b.....i think r. kelly is a genius when it comes to creativiy and people need to lighten up its just entertainment...well that my opinion....peace!!!!
17 - MizzCash
"She, unlike India or Jill, has the extra "pizzazz" necessary to make it in this business."
I wasn't even going to comment until I read this statement in regards to Alicia Keys and her success compared to the other two aforementioned artists. It is no secret that this society, and the entertainment industry in particular, showers adoration toward black female artists who come the closest to a Western/European standard of beauty. It is the same reason that Diana Ross was favored over her more talented band mate.(No matter how much they try to say DREAMGIRLS was based on a concoction of several bands of that time, it was based MOSTLY on The Supremes...you can believe that) The same reason that Halle Berry has an Oscar and Angela Bassett does not. So when you say Alicia Keys ..."has the extra 'pizzazz' to make it in this business" or that Beyonce has that "star quality," it is not a fair comparison to put upon Jill or India. That pizzazz and star quality are thanks in large part to the fact that they are lighter-skinned black women with long, flowing, more close to Caucasian hair, and "perfect," just-curvy-enough bodies and this is what America, White AND Black (because we do this to each other more than they do it to us)deems beautiful. We live in an era where the visual image is everything, so its no wonder that Alicia and Beyonce would be more successful than Jill or India, even though ALL FOUR WOMEN are immensely talented in COMPLETELY different ways. As a black woman, I am a fan of all four of those women, and for different reasons, but I am also not blind to the fact that for a voluptuous, size 14+, fro-wearing black woman, or a brown-skinned, loc-donning, more African-facial featured black woman, it is MUCH harder to get the people...even your own people...to love and appreciate you.
18 - MizzCash
By the way, fantastic article, Mr. Perry. I'm recommending it to everybody I know. The beauty of it is that whether you agree or disagree or fall in the middle of the debate, the article is definitely making us think critically about what entertainment is. And to those of you who think we need to "lighten up" because its "just entertainment" remember, that this is what whites told us when they were exploiting us in blackface in the early 20th century..."lighten up, it's just entertainment."
19 - tamika
For the person that commented on Alicia Keys and Beyonce in comparison to Jill and India, what about the huge success of Lauryn Hill, who was more successful than both Alicia and Beyonce? India didn't beat out Alicia on the grammy's but she's more successful than her contemporaries like Goapele and Amel.
I would be lying if I said that complexion didn't play a part in success, but I honestly believe that it's the jack-of-all-trades quality that Alicia and Beyonce and even Lauryn posses. Their not confined to one type of sound, genre, image, or ability.
20 - Jarrett
What about Alicia Keys? She puts out quality records...
21 - B.
I think its on the labels and the audience to determine what they want to hear. Heck R&B has gone through so many peaks and valleys over the years. To put this on one artist is a little much. I think Kelly has done enough to establish his legacy and if he wants to do vanity projects it's his perrogative. I would suggest that the industry step up thier game and start putting out some talented artists and the artists have to sell themselves as well. I mean a lot of the talented R&B artists don't have alot of personality, that "IT" factor. Hate him or love him, R. Kelly has that "IT" factor.
22 - Andrew Knyte
I just HAD to comment on this essay.
As a passionate music lover, one imbued with a profound sense of pride and responsibility for the state of the Black race (as opposed to using the term "community," which implies the "monolith" perception of Black people, btw), I founded a website called Njs4ever.com, which stands for New Jack Swing 4Ever. The purpose of the website was to highlight what I consider to be the last genre/era of music that positively represented Black people, period.
In the mid 1980s, a rift was forming musically among Black/urban audiences. The adults listened to plush 80s R&B such as Anita Baker, Freddie Jackson, Luther Vandross, etc. However, the kids were listening to Run DMC, Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, and LL Cool J. Essentially, R&B was dead to African-American youth even then.
However, a crop of artists such as Force MD's and New Edition were holding up the torch for R&B, even if it leaned toward pop. However, by 1987...some R&B acts who played in bands around the New York Area, namely Keith Sweat and Teddy Riley made a NEW kind of R&B that incorporated the street-edged swagger that drew audiences to the likes of LL Cool J. That genre was called New Jack Swing.
New Jack Swing in its purest form spawned the church-trained vocals of Aaron Hall (of seminal new jack swing trio Guy), a singer whose vocal stylings obviously paid tribute to Charlie Wilson. New Edition abandoned their bubblegum sound, and released a landmark LP named "Heart Break," while adding Luther Vandross' heir apparent at the time to their roster, Johnny Gill.
As the New Jack Era progressed, positivity in Black culture also progressed. The Era spawned TV shows like "A Different World," which featured Black people in college(!). Arsenio Hall had his own talk show, and it featured guests of every hue, but from a distinctly African-American perspective. Sammy Davis Jr, Jim Henson, Muhammad Ali, and so many other legends all graced the couch of that show. Spike Lee made trailblazing films during this era including School Daze, Do The Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, and the epic Malcolm X. I could go on and on....
I must add that R&B music before hip-hop actually DID appeal to the masses, not just Black people. Without support from all people, acts like Ray Charles, the entire Motown roster, Aretha Franklin, etc, would not have achieved the success that they did. This is an important fact that I'd like to underpin my next couple of paragraphs with.
New Jack Swing was the last form of R&B to appeal to a broad audience. Bobby Brown didn't have five consecutive top ten Pop hits (they were all virtually number 1 hits on the R&B charts) from his 1988 Don't Be Cruel album because his music only appealed to African Americans. Bobby Brown crossed over. So did Johnny Gill, Bell Biv Devoe, Soul II Soul, Keith Sweat, Al B. Sure, and En Vogue. But one cannot deny that they were solidly R&B in musical execution.
However, in the fall of 1991, Grunge rock stole away the "crossover" fanbase, which meant that that all urban media that used to be buoyed by that cross over support (i.e. The Arsenio Hall Show, New Jack Swing, A Different World), all failed in short order. Then just one year later, Gangsta Rap rendered New Jack Swing passé. New Jack Swing was the earliest form of Hip-Hop influenced R&B, and New Jack Swing was probably 80% R&B, and 20% Hip-Hop. However, after 1992, Hip-Hop/Soul was born, with Hip-Hop garnering a larger share of the creation.
A song like Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" is almost 100% based on a Hip-Hop sample...Audio Two's "Top Billin." Mary J. Blige and her labelmates at the time Jodeci are probably the best examples of the Hip-Hop/Soul genre. Both church trained, these artists made music that incorporated more of a hip-hop aesthetic than their New Jack Swing predecceors.
What I am arguing is that this death of R&B is something I have lamented as well, however I think you are pointing the finger at the wrong people, and choosing the wrong saviors. While I wholeheartedly respect Jill Scott, Tamia, and Brian Mcknight...I'm going to say what some people might consider blasphemy...but I am sorry. They are BORING.
Let me defend myself.
James Brown...entertainer....the man had stage presence. So did Marvin Gaye. He would move across the stage, whoop and scream, and just infuse passion in his performances. Jill Scott on the other hand stands there like a soulful opera singer. Classy, elegant and beautiful, yes. Energetic? Electric? No. Brian McKnight? Same story. Tamia? Definitely same story.
However, an act like New Edition, who is STILL performing with the polish and class of the Tempations, IS an act that I consider to be solidly R&B....and proof that there is still hope. New Edition carries themselves in a dignified manner...in a manner that is missing in most of today's music.
I would posit that Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce are actually from the New Jack Swing tradition, but they are at the same time of course compromising in some respect to stay current to today's music trends. But that is only because, as you posited earlier, because urban audiences are clamoring after music that isn't good for us, instead of supporting music that actually reflects a positive spirit.
I for one, loved it when Beyonce asked women to "pat their weaves." What ever happened to having fun? It sounds like a perfect wedding reception get-down. It's a fun, song...that doesn't involve shooting, overt sex, or some of the other trappings of mid-90s R&B/Hip-Hop and beyond.
I think the TRUE savior of R&B should be support of music that recognizes Hip-Hop for what it is...an innovative artform that is here to stay, but also demands musicality and a positive spirit. And that genre...the first, last and only genre to really do so successfully, was New Jack Swing.
My challenge to anyone reading this, is to visit my website, Njs4ever.com - read the year by year history, and tell me if I'm wrong. Because the history is all there. It was an amazingly powerful cultural force. And it seemed to have been sabotaged by the powers that be in the media, who force fed alternative to the pop masses, and peddled gansta rap filth. And soon....the most dominant cultural representation of Black people in music and pop culture became the thug and the prostitute.
This Friday in New York City, NJS4E is putting on an event in New York City at Ashford + Simpson's Sugar Bar. We need for it to be a success if we are to continue spreading our message of positivity and urban elegance and upward mobility in Black music. Johnny Kemp, who performed the hit "Just Got Paid (Friday Night)" will be performing. If you are in the New York area, please check out Njs4ever.com for details...we would love to have you.
Njs4ever.com considers the New Jack Swing Era to be the turning point in R&B....with 1987 being the Zero AD of Modern R&B. We recognize and treasure the "B.C." years of R&B, and we also look forward for signs of life in modern R&B. Again, Usher, Justin Timberlake, some Beyonce songs lead the pack in this area. The reason I state those three is because they have mass appeal...and element that you even said yourself in your essay was important.
New Jack Swing was the last form of mass appeal R&B with a sense of true musicality behind it. Please help support this under-appreciated and under-recognized genre. If you don't know or remember what it was, VH1's 4th Annual Hip-Hop Honors (thanks to the input of legendary cultural critic Nelson George) will be recognizing it on national television this year on October 8th.
My name is Andrew Knyte. My website is called New Jack Swing 4Ever. Please believe that I feel your passion for R&B. But I think pointing the finger at R. Kelly is missing the point. We should really be pointing the finger at ourselves for letting the New Jack Swing Era die the way it did. We need to bring that mindset back. And I'm doing my part. Are you with me?
- Andrew Knyte
Njs4ever Networks, LLC
23 - daryl d
R. Kelly recorded at my cousin's former studio on Halsted in Chicago. He is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. At the time I met him, I had no idea how big he would become. The guy is a major talent and I still like his recent music. "Ignition" is one of the most fun songs made this decade.
24 - Mack
Real "R & B" is practically dead. What is being called "soul music" today is hip/hop and watered-down, lightweight and mostly meaningless drivel.
Today's "singers" sound as if they were taken right off the street corners, with no training and rushed into the studio. I've listened with an open-mind, but have not been moved by much of what I've heard.
Of the young singers who have been brought up in black Baptist churches like in the old days, I DO hear some great voices and a respect and love for the genuine. It's too bad that Fantasia Barrino has been convinced to sing hip/hop, her voice is just too good to be wasted there. I'm hoping that Jennifer Hudson is wiser and sings the type of music in her soul.
We still have Aretha, Gladys, Patti, Ashford & Simpson and the great Bettye LaVette, who has made one of the most astonishing "comebacks" in music history. Like other great singers, she sings from the depths of her very being and audiences can relate.
Beyonce. I do not remember anything she has sung except "Listen." Most hip/hop music is monotonous with the same boring lyrics and boom de boom beat. The lead singers can hardly be heard because there are so many people singing background (to drown out the fact they can't sing?) When Beyonce looks back in 25 years at the junk she's recorded, she won't find anything that ANYONE will remember or care to cover OR listen to.
People who weren't even born know the music of Aretha, Gladys, Four Tops, Temptations, Ray Charles, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, etc. Most of their work is considered standards today and are being performed and covered constantly over the years.
With young black singers abandoning classic soul, the Europeans are quite aware of this and they have their hearts set on taking over this music. They are not impressed with hip/hop...they want THE REAL DEAL: CLASSIC SOUL.
Don't be surprised in twenty years, if there isn't a crown sitting on Joss Stone's head and Americans calling HER "The Queen of Soul." Don't think it's too farfetched after what happened in the 1950's. It was Elvis Presley, not Chuck Berry or Little Richard being proclaimed "King."
All that creativity creating gospel, blues, jazz, R & B and soul music, despite unbearable conditions (racism, Jim Crow and segregation), and we're just GIVING it away. THAT'S YOUR CULTURE YOU ARE JUST HANDING OVER TO ANOTHER GROUP! No other ethnic group would do that. The Scots? The Japanese? The Germans? The Irish? The Italians? Would any of these groups just hand over their culture to some other group?
25 - Lynette
I appreciate this article very much, though I would not have thought to attribute the fall of R&B to R Kelly. More recently, I would attribute it to Beyonce's ignorant, materialistic, empty lyrics. Yes, I said it. Call me a hater if you like, but every female artist that has come out since Beyonce released her first solo album has been a cheap imitation of her because that's what our people, mainstream society, and record companies want...Ciara and Rihanna rise to the top of these imitations. Remember, Alicia Keys came out BEFORE Beyonce release her solo album...if the order had been reversed I'm not sure AK would have been as successful. There is nothing wrong with pop/hip-hop like Beyonce, Usher, Ciara, etc...because I like to hear that music with the hot beats too at the club. The problem is when that is the ONLY option. I also agree with the point made earlier that when it comes to black female artists, the light-skinned, long hair traits definitely work in their favor (I love AK but her "pizzazz" comes from this as well). At least Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, and others speak truth in their music. Beyonce is as empty and materialistic as her music...she was raised in a wealthy family in Houston (so what's up with wanting a "thug" or a "Soldier"??), does not speak about real issues in any of her songs-NOT A SINGLE ONE-for fear of alienating her predominantly white audience, and does not really connect to the black community the way the above artists listed do. She is nothing more than an overtly sexual image, a commodity, and if Jill Scott was singing "Get Me Bodied" no one would give her the time of day b/c she does not have the image that Beyonce has. 20 years from now when her "assets" are sagging I don't think she's going to be that person you want to see perform or whose CD you're going to pop into the player to hear some real soul. She has none. That's the point of this article. So go ahead and "pat your weave girl" and "drop down low and sweep the floor with it"...cool for the club, not for music that reflects the heart and soul of the genre black people created.