R&B (Detailed)

Brief history

R&B (Rhythm and blues) originated in the 1940's, so as you can see R&B hasn't been around for too long. The main origins of R&B are jazz, gospel, blues and traditional pop. It was created in the USA, at the time, for the African American. The main instruments used are the saxophone, horns, piano, organs, electric guitar, vocals and background vocalist. The name R&B originally came from the genre jazz and blues as these genres used to be the most popular at the time. R&B in Britain was developed in the 1960's.

Codes & Conventions

Some of the conventions are similar to those in Hip-Hop. In Hip-Hop, they use cars, money ladies (Half naked), drugs, and other expensive items. R&B use these aswell but not all or ots limited to how much they use it. In a urbanized location, they would use their flashy cars, money and ladies...not so much the drugs. In another type of location e.g. Beach, they'd use ladies dancing half naked and would probably show an expensive venue where they can express their love.

Editing Style

Depending on the music it will have a specific editing style. For example, if its about love and it is located in on the beach, then the editing would be smooth and the cuts would smoothly blend in to the next frame. But if it's in the city then it'll have fast and rough cuts, with none or limited smoothness. The cuts usually go with the beats or the lyrics in R&B, usually when its an upbeat music

Locations

The settings usually in the city, or any urbanized area. Because most R&B music are up beat and lively, it tends to suit the colourful and busy atmosphere. However, some are located outside the urban category for example: A tropical area, beach ect. The reason for this is that these tracks are usually about love and it suits the location as its romantic.

Costume/Prop & Colour

R&B artists have different type of style and present themselves differently. As you can see below, R&B has different varieties of cosume and clothing. Some may perfer to wear a much colourful outfit and others would like to keep it more simple and casual. R&B doesn'treally have its own unique style, that is why some artists came up with the most craziest dresses e.g. Lady Gaga. Some of the men style would be similar to those in Hip-Hop. Some R&B artist may be wearing a hoody, earing and a New Era Cap. Baggy clothing is also shown, but nowadays i think that it is becoming more casual. These style of clothing and how the artists wear it affects and influences the audience, therefore they try copy what they wear and how the wear it.