PORTAL:R&B AND SOUL MUSIC

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Wikipedia's Rhythm and Blues Portal

Introduction

Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to African Americans, at a time when "rocking, jazz based music ... [with a] heavy, insistent beat" was becoming more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the 1950s through the 1970s, the bands usually consisted of a piano, one or two guitars, bass, drums, one or more saxophones, and sometimes background vocalists. R&B lyrical themes often encapsulate the African-American history and experience of pain and the quest for freedom and joy, as well as triumphs and failures in terms of societal racism, oppression, relationships, economics, and aspirations.

The term "rhythm and blues" has undergone a number of shifts in meaning. In the early 1950s, it was frequently applied to blues records. Starting in the mid-1950s, after this style of music had contributed to the development of rock and roll, the term "R&B" became used in a wider context. It referred to music styles that developed from and incorporated electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music. From 1960s to 70s, some British groups were referred to and promoted as being R&B bands. By the 1970s, the term "rhythm and blues" had changed once again and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. ( Full article...)

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"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written by Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and co-produced by Stargate and Beyoncé for her second solo album, B'Day (2006). Originally not created for her, Beyoncé re-arranged the demo presented by the producers—a country-turned-R&B-pop song. The lyrics refer to breaking up with an unfaithful man, part of Beyoncé and Ne-Yo's vision of creating a record that people could relate to, and was considered an anthem to female empowerment.

Following the less successful chart performances of " Déjà Vu" and " Ring the Alarm", "Irreplaceable" was released on December 5, 2006 in the United States as the album's third single, and the second single in most international music markets. "Irreplaceable" was a worldwide commercial and critical success, becoming Beyoncé's second best-selling single in her solo career after " Crazy In Love" and B'Day's most successful release. The single performed well on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, remaining at the top spot for ten consecutive weeks. Certified as multi-platinum, "Irreplaceable" was one of the best-selling singles in 2007, and its addition to Beyoncé's achievements establishes her among the most successful female artists to date.

"Irreplaceable" was lauded by contemporary critics, citing its distinct production compared with most tracks featured on the album. The song won awards, including one during the 2007 Soul Train Music Award. The single's music video features the debut performance of Beyoncé's all-female band Suga Mama, and earned Beyoncé additional awards.

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Perri Arlette Reid (née McKissack; August 29, 1964), known professionally as the recording artist Pebbles, is an American singer-songwriter, businesswoman, pastor, record producer, and music executive. Reid is known for her hit songs during the late 1980s and early 1990s such as " Girlfriend" (1987), " Mercedes Boy" (1988), " Giving You the Benefit" (1990), " Love Makes Things Happen", (1990), and " Backyard" (1991). In addition to a recording career, Reid helped develop the successful contemporary R&B group TLC. She is now an Atlanta-based minister, known as "Sister Perri". ( Full article...)

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The following are images from various rhythm and blues-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1The original line up of the Kinks, 1965 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 2 Lead Belly's recordings would be a major part of British R&B repertoires, although he never performed in the UK (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 3Herman Santiago, original lead singer of the Teenagers (from Doo-wop)
Image 4 Alexis Korner in Hamburg in 1972 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 5Alternative R&B artist Frank Ocean performing at the Coachella Festival in 2012 (from Alternative R&B)
Image 6The Ramones in Toronto (1976) (from Doo-wop)
Image 7 Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings at Middelburg in 2009 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 8 Georgie Fame, leader of one of the most widely influenced R&B groups, in 1968 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 9 John Lee Hooker, whose visit to England was the anticipated R&B event of 1964, shown in 1978 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 10 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac onstage in 1970 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 11 Usher was cited by Billboard as the no. 1 Hot 100 artist of the 2000s decade, with 7 number-one singles that accumulated 42 weeks at the top. (from Contemporary R&B)
Image 12 Janet Jackson's Control, released in 1986, was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 1980s. (from New jack swing)
Image 13 The Animals in 1964 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 14Led Zeppelin performing at Chicago Stadium in January 1975
Image 15 The Jam in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1982 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 16 The Cleftones during their participation in the doo-wop festival celebrated in May 2010 at the Benedum Center. (from Doo-wop)
Image 17 Kathy Young with the Earth Angels performing Kathy's hit " A Thousand Stars" during the festival of this genre celebrated at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 2010 (from Doo-wop)
Image 18The instruments of the skiffle group the Quarrymen, who would become the Beatles (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 19 Beyoncé was named by Billboard the most successful female act of the 2000s. (from Contemporary R&B)
Image 20 Michael Jackson holds the record for the best-selling new jack swing album with his 1991 release, Dangerous. (from New jack swing)
Image 21 The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing on Dutch television in 1967 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 22The Moonglows, 1956 (from Doo-wop)
Image 23 Muddy Waters, a major influence on the movement, pictured in 1971 (from British rhythm and blues)
Image 24 Alicia Keys ranked fifth on Billboard Artist of the Decade list. " No One" ranks No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs of the decade. (from Contemporary R&B)
Image 25 Chris Barber, one of the major figures in the early popularisation of the blues in Britain, playing at the Musikhalle, Hamburg, 1972 (from British rhythm and blues)