The article discusses the resurgence of women in R&B music, highlighting artists who are blending gospel roots with contemporary sounds, including hip-hop influences and global elements. It emphasizes the importance of vocal expression in R&B, distinguishing between mere singing and powerful performances. Beyonce's Grammy acceptance speech underscores the industry's restrictive genre classifications. The piece also features a playlist of songs from women artists since 2020, illustrating their creativity and willingness to challenge traditional themes in relationships, as seen in Long's collaboration that reinterprets classic R&B hits.
What unites today's R&B with music of the past is its celebration of voice. Fans don't talk only about who can sing but about who can sang.
Beyonce, voicing an opinion shared by many Black artists, stated, 'I think sometimes genre' is a code word to keep us in our place.'
Sometimes people just need to leave stuff alone when it comes to classics... but writing her own song on top of one of the most seductive songs presented a challenge.
The verses tease out the terms of a fledgling relationship, working with and against old-school gender roles.
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