Definition

Noun: A genre of popular music that originated in African American communities in the United States in the 1940s, combining elements of blues, jazz, and gospel music. It is characterized by a strong, insistent beat and is considered a major precursor to rock and roll and soul music.

Usage

The term "rhythm and blues" is used as a singular noun to refer to the music genre as a whole, its style, or a piece of music within that genre. * The radio station specializes in playing classic rhythm and blues. * Her singing is deeply rooted in rhythm and blues. * That song is a great example of 1950s rhythm and blues.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Aretha Franklin's early work was heavily influenced by rhythm and blues.
  • The museum has an exhibit on the history of rhythm and blues.
  • He has an extensive collection of rhythm and blues records.

Advanced Usage

• "R&B": The common abbreviation for "rhythm and blues." In contemporary usage, "R&B" often refers to modern rhythm and blues, which incorporates elements of soul, funk, pop, and hip-hop.
  • The charts are dominated by pop and R&B this week.

Variants and Related Words

• R&B (noun): The standard abbreviation for rhythm and blues.
• Blues (noun): A foundational music genre characterized by a specific chord progression and lyrical themes, which heavily influenced rhythm and blues.
• Soul music (noun): A genre that developed from rhythm and blues and gospel, emphasizing vocal emotion and improvisation.
• Rock and roll (noun): A genre of popular music that derived directly from rhythm and blues in the 1950s.

Synonyms

• R&B (the direct abbreviation)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• (To have) soul: While not exclusive to rhythm and blues, this phrase describes music with deep feeling and emotion, a key characteristic of the genre.
  • That singer really has soul; you can feel the emotion in every note.

Noun

1. a combination of blues and jazz that was developed in the United States by Black musicians; an important precursor of rock 'n' roll