Rhythm and blues arose in the 1940s as an urban, “electrified,” and rhythmically charged evolution of the blues. To the traditional blues form were added a springy, danceable beat, a brass section, powerful vocals, and an overall mood of joy and energy. It was the popular music of African-American communities in post-war America.
R&B became the foundation from which rock and roll soon grew (white performers adapted rhythm and blues for a mass audience) and soul (adding gospel depth). The classics of early R&B are Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and Little Richard. Later the term “R&B” broadened to denote whole currents of black popular music. Contemporary R&B — a smooth, sensual, vocal-dominated style — remains to this day one of the most widespread genres of world pop.
