Male R&B is on Life Support. Can it be saved?

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Hey y’all! What do we think of the current state of male r&b?🤔 We often talk about the ladies in regards to this conversation but what about the guys…let’s discuss 👇🏽

[@orinzoncelli489]

Men aren't doing much in the music industry tbh. Only in the folk/acoustic genre can I find male artists that I can actually relate to, such as Noah Kahan, Jonah Kagen, Hazlett etc etc. Someone needs to put in more work and effort. Love your content Camryn!❤

[@PapiFresko]

Sunni Colon has a very refreshing sound and definitely not vulgar. I'm not sure that I would call him traditional R&B though

[@Everythinng_Re3bootted]

While there are many talented male R&B artists (Brent Faiyaz, Giveon, Daniel Caesar etc.), I argue that they don’t always receive the same visibility as the females, particularly in mainstream conversations and awards.

[@amarie9092]

I will say it again lmao SHAUN MILLI!!!! 🗣️😂

[@iitzchlxoe___3677]

Please before you guys dismiss Brent listen to Sonder Son it literally changed my life and it IS a classic I would die on that hill

[@parrishthomas92]

R&B stopped when singers stop reaching and grabbing the air to pull it back into their heart with a balled fist

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

Frfr 😂😂😂

[@righteouslioncomedian1069]

@@parrishthomas92 Lol

[@yanelluviano]

@@parrishthomas92 a slideshow of music videos where this happens just played through my head reading this comment 😂😭

[@erwin_town4603]

Miguel has given up. Frank ocean is in hiding. D’Angelo is retired. Our heroes are gone.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah actually what is Miguel doing😭 he made such good music

[@mogamatyusufmartin9171]

Miguel didn't give up though he released a song last year give it to me Khalid is still going 6lack Bryson Jason Derulo Jeremih and.... Caeser Sam smith some of his songs .....are still there when it comes to global RnB Then on the African continent Jimmy Nevis 🇿🇦 Chad Saaiman 🇿🇦 , though he does radio these days still active Kyle Deutsch🇿🇦 Telleman 🇿🇦 Lloyiso 🇿🇦 😅very few yes . Some afrobeat guys incorporate some Rnb into their songs. WizKid Rema Patronising Davido

[@somindlesssmedia]

@@CamrynSuzannehe’s dropped a couple mixtapes and they’re experimental if ur in that thang ya know 😂

[@O.G.LIL-MAN]

no, Miguel didnt give up--he made the mistake from having a unique sound on his first alum...then took too damn long to come out with a second album, of which when he did that album sounded like everyone other R&B singer. He lost the plot.

[@fullmetal2455]

Frank Ocean is peak lust every song

[@vash4l328]

It ended when everyone gave up on Miguel 😭

[@CamrynSuzanne]

oh shoot.... you could be onto something 👀

[@seliyahsfairys]

wait u are on to something

[@vash4l328]

@@CamrynSuzanne btw give gallant,bathe,ballad,October London,and dende a shot they doing it crazy in R&B

[@sophspice32]

you are so right wow

[@BellesView]

What do you mean gave up?

[@MRLONG758]

There is good male R&B out there, it just isn't mainstream and you need to search hard for it. Lucky Daye, Leon Thomas, Leon Bridges, BJ The Chicago Kid and No Guidance, Arin Raye, Tone Stith, Khamari, October London, Giveon etc.

[@bonafide1992]

@MRLONG758 thank u for saying this! Mainstream r&b is hit or miss and the issue... plenty of great r&b.. it's just not well-known

[@_richi777]

@@MRLONG758 Thisssss!!! People want mainstream RnB to be just how it was in the 90s but with a modern feel. Music is changing, and a lot of it is changing for the better.

[@lilyroxmysox]

mac ayres too!

[@SkippyLaughlin]

They're not mainstream unfortunately. Sorry I've never heard of them.

[@MRLONG758]

@SkippyLaughlin check them out, they all make great music

[@narheanrg1949]

as an enjoyer of contemporary “vulgar” rnb, this video really opened my eyes. i didn’t realise how far we are from the start. and when you were showing the lyrics of old rnb and how much more passionate the lyrics were, i immediately thought “cringe”. its actually crazy how desensitised i am to very vulgar depictions of women.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Trust! I like some of the new artists it’s just such a stark difference when you actually sit down and break it down. I think we’ve all become desensitized, shoot even I was. It took me sitting down and researching this video to understand how far it’s gone🥲

[@hopiepink]

@@CamrynSuzannewent from listening to On Bended Knee and One Sweet Day when I was a kid to Brent singing, “All my bitches know I’m leavin’ at some point, whether there’s a reason or not, don’t try giving me reasons to stop”

[@CamrynSuzanne]

@@hopiepink literally like we really lost the plot 😳😳😳

[@SuperMiIk]

I really miss sincere and heartfelt r&b

[@rerebrook5057]

We’ve all been desensitized 😢

[@elbruno_picaso]

We don't go to church anymore, we never learned how to sing 😭

[@BryanBMusic]

TRUE

[@CamrynSuzanne]

real! that may be a bigger culprit then I emphasized😭

[@tylerhackner9731]

That’s a big part of the problem. All the greats learned from there and we lose those recipes when we don’t have that.

[@johnsskincarereviews]

@@elbruno_picaso LMFAOOOO

[@TheArtofBeingReacts]

Exactly. How you gonna learn to sing about soul, if you don't have any true soul around you? Support Mariah Carey's 15 albums. Sis has gospel too! Check out her "Joy to the World" and "Fall in Love at Christmas" feat Kirk Franklin during the holiday. I also listen to her and Whitney's "When You believe" during Passover. I need soul!❤🤷🏾‍♀️❤️❤️

[@AlterEgo-jn9sz]

Neo-Soul era was the last golden age for RnB

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Agree with that fs!!

[@Gullahbae-xm6ms]

Exactly!

[@user-sp3nb4zc8d]

the weeknd ushered in this new wave of r&b artists more than bryson tiller did, i feel like you HEAVILY understated the weeknd’s impact on modern r&b, his mixtapes back in 2011 were all people were talking about, he introduced that toxic, detached tone of lyricism that r&b adopted, directly influencing drake, bryson tiller, etc. even usher said he was inspired by it

[@empathyhoneyteatoo]

absolutely! trilogy was so beyond toxic! good but toxic lol

[@TakverReturns]

Ah yes...the king of negging himself. He has a lovely voice, but toxicity is part of his brand.

[@g-s-m_13]

Srsly he's still keeping it alive he's carrying fr

[@richarmolico6606]

FACTS

[@kellyanna6610]

I agree The Weeknd changed the game, but these guys don’t make love songs everything is vulgar and that’s the issue with all Black music….

[@cradlecrock249]

I think a lot of what we’re looking for in mainstream R&B are flourishing elements of indie Neo soul acts. People like Cleo Sol, Masego, Joseph Solomon, the Internet. Im praying that one day that whole pocket is gonna blow up and switch the flavor of the mainstream

[@hannahclark4593]

Masego >>>

[@quincy9908]

Masegp, not Neo Soul. He is Neo Jazz.

[@MsElfMannequin]

I love Masego and The Internet

[@dlott14]

Some male RnB artists selections: - Kenyon Dixon - Masego - Destin Conrad - Iman Omari - BLK ODYSSY - Mac Ayres - Anderson Paak (genre-bender still great tho) - Jordan Ward - Mack Keane - Sunni Colon - Duckwrth - Flwr Chyld - Xavier Omar - Jordan Rakei - SIR Mmmmmm yeah i think thats a good amount

[@phoenix_121_6]

@@dlott14 heavy on Mac Ayres, also add Lucky Daye to this and you got an insane lineup

[@thegoldthatglitters]

Kyle Dion and Giveon, too!

[@Flameville]

@@dlott14 thanks for this list. I’m always in the camp that it didn’t go away, if you want to find good rnb it is out there. This conversation is very similar to the hip hop vs modern rap conversations.

[@ItxxJAMEMEME]

BLK ODYSSEY is golden fs!

[@paquinraino8180]

Anderson Paak is one of the most talented there, that man is a multi instrumentalist plus can do RnB, rap, Soul, Funk

[@freezhollywood]

I think it’s 2 things 1. The powers tht be wanted r&b and rap to be basically the same genre. 2. Art sometimes imitates life. There’s not much love n romance anymore. Everybody’s in the club. Everybody’s gettin divorced or breaking up. Love don’t live here anymore.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah, I would agree that generally because those lines are getting blurred it's creating an irreparable damage on the mainstream front. Also, I didn't think of it like that but that could be a portion of the problem as well. Do you think media helps condition those feelings or lack of feelings even more?

[@freezhollywood]

@@CamrynSuzanne way more!! Media is telling the males “b**** ain’t 💩” and telling females to run the guys pockets. From celebs to real life ppl. Divorces are piling up even after decades of marriage. Everybody’s casually cheating. There’s really no room for love.

[@orlock20]

That mixed genre is called urban by the suits.

[@freezhollywood]

@@CamrynSuzanne the media definitely does. They’re telling guys tht women ain’t ish and telling women to run these guys pockets. From celebs to real life ppl divorces are at an all time high ppl married 40 yrs getting divorced now. I look around. I don’t see love. Hard to sing about something tht don’t exist in 2024.

[@ItsQueViolette]

That second one is spot on, singing about love rn is “considered corny” (in black culture, which is what rnb is mainly) so current rnb artists MOSTLY sing about the same thing hip hop raps about. So rnb currently mainstream wise has no identity outside hip hop

[@silverscion2144]

I think the industry today has become so focused on aesthetic and spectacle that a style of performance which is typically viewed as just a guy with a mic (maybe with some dancing) doesn’t seem very marketable, and therefore isn’t invested in. I also think that’s why the Silk Sonic project was so successful, because it brought back that classic RnB sound with a clearly defined aesthetic and top-class showmanship.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

That’s a great example honestly! Silk sonic really brought back the old school sound and it could appeal across generations which aided in their success

[@tylerhackner9731]

Showmanship and the “look” while also great artistry

[@TyandOnGoing]

Tbf silk sonic relied heavy on Bruno mars pop stardom for it to work

[@TheArtofBeingReacts]

I think artists today rely heavily on visuals, bc the music is not great quality ? Idk, just a thought because Michael Jackson had great visuals, BUT he also had the good music too!! This is why Mariah Carey is overlooked. She has composed many amazing songs. She risked her reputation to give us some of the best R&B, but because she isn't a no talent puppet to control, her work is not as supported. It's sad because Mariah's pen game has never changed! Give me Mariah and Michael anyday. I enjoy that Mariah has fun, but also gets a lil deep.

[@Tarriq]

Male music on the decline as a whole really 😣

[@Corkyjay]

The weeknd i think was the reason we got the massive shift in R&B he mixed raunchy rap lyrics with the soft melody of r&b with the alternative r&b with his original house of balloons trilogy. The difference between the weeknd and other artist is he isnt raunchy for no reason its suppose to represent the emptiness of his sex and drug use. Its not a flex its a struggle

[@nycedyme4]

And who are 90% of the weekends fans? But yea blame men

[@alycebagnath464]

@@Corkyjay love this!

[@lfloyd8109]

@@nycedyme4 You did not read the comment.

[@crowing3886]

Stop. He literally is on record flexing it lol. Dude lost the plot of his lyrics after his first record lol. He no different.

[@arthursummers7899]

I agree, he also shifted the focus from vocals to lyrics and "vibe".

[@titusirons]

As a RnB Artist, I definitely look up to a lot of the old school cuts of RnB music. Even though my sound is mixed with new and old school RnB, I gravitate and learn more from RnB music from back then. It has more passion and soul, and that’s something I definitely try to give in all of my tracks. Great video!

[@ay3itsalice]

I’m so glad you mentioned Leon Thomas and Lucky Daye, I feel like their music is so refreshing and different from all the R&B music right now. Khamari is a smaller artist who has an incredible discography already, with a lot of themes of self-reflection, and I think he’d be great to have in the mainstream!

[@AlterEgo-jn9sz]

We need to bring back being able to sing

[@lovelylife3012]

FACTS !

[@DistortedV12]

Lucky daye?

[@Gullahbae-xm6ms]

This right here!

[@Derein1220]

@@AlterEgo-jn9sz OKAY!!! This is where the root of the issue begins. THEY CANNOT SING!!!

[@DADON99]

It's dying cause dudes today don't wanna pour their heart and soul onto R&B records like dudes back then cause they don't wanna be called simps😂. We need that crying in the rain I can't live without you R&B back asap😂😂😂

[@CamrynSuzanne]

say it louder for the people in the back!!

[@hifellowhumans1]

Brian McKnight for the win!

[@DADON99]

@Krissy-u8d Chris Brown is an example of that. How the hell he went from Excuse Me Miss to banging the set?😂. I even heard some dudes say Boys II Men made simp music😂. Every dude today wanna be heartless and act hard😂😂. Plus music (just like tv and movies) reflect society. Mfers today ain't loving each other...they just hooking up. People ain't tryna get married and baby mama culture hella popular. That's why a lot of R&B today is just sex and toxicity...that's what society is today

[@offtheradar8922]

not enough love songs nowadays

[@AngeBiampandou]

​​@Krissy-u8dMost of those rnb artists from back then grew up in the hood. The Jackson 5/MJ were from Gary, Indiana, New Edition were from the hood in Boston, Boyz II Men were from North Philly, Sisqo/Dru Hill were from Baltimore...

[@JalenTheCreative]

Everything is MERGED WITH TRAP, HIP-HOP! From R&B, House, Pop, COUNTRY & even GOSPEL TODAY! EVERYTHING is HIP HOP infused! & thats the problem, no distinction between genre's. Everythings just popular

[@CamrynSuzanne]

So true!! This is I think the biggest culprit at this point. It's all TOO blended on a mainstream front. Like I know there are sub genres that exist but what's being pushed on the airways is not it

[@nuggetsnicole4851]

Omg get out of my head lol. I was saying the same thing. 90s ruined R&B when hip was fused with it

[@orlock20]

The big problem is instrumentation and that instrumentation now comes from a beat maker using samples. Instrumentalists are only appreciated in blues, jazz and classical music now. Look up Joe Bonamassa - Drive (Live At Carnegie Hall - An Acoustic Evening) 2017. There are no current pop artists that could pull that off. LL Cool J pulled it off with acoustic instrumentation rap. The Beastie Boys were a rock band before getting into rap. Pop acts don't even know what key they are in.

[@bxcellent_87]

You hit it right on the head🎯💯

[@JalenTheCreative]

@@orlock20 CLOCK IT!

[@IAmSyeK]

I loved this breakdown of the state of male R&B today. While I do dabble in hip-hop/rap a little bit, I’m ultimately an R&B guy at heart and will be doing my BEST to usher in the new wave of revived male R&B. I already have some of the boxes checked (grew up singing in church, incorporates dancing, etc.). My goal is to bring back the love, the begging, the emotion/passion, singing in the rain, and everything else that made male R&B what it was back in the day.

[@umikaranokisu]

Thank you so much for bringing this up!!!! Always on female rappers when they’re actually keeping rap alive, meanwhile all males in any genre have been SEVERELY underperforming!!!

[@flawlesseleven]

I think Lucky Daye is still the best newer man in RnB. His musicality, lyricism, and SUBSTANCE are all so rich. He is a great performer too, not a whole dancer but knows how to keep the crowd impressed. I also really appreciate that he talks about women’s pleasure in his music - that’s the key for me. Plus he always collabs with the girls.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yup! Lucky Daye is one of them oness! I think he brings something fresh but is also still tapped into those traditional sides of r&b. He deserves a lot more credit but I think he's getting there

[@tylerhackner9731]

Fr we need more of him and Durand. They’re carrying it rn

[@bhill5535]

💯 he’s THAT dude. His dedication to quality in every aspect of his music is refreshing. Algorithm is the best album I’ve heard in a pretty long time.

[@DistortedV12]

i 100% agree

[@misscee8477]

I came to say this!!!!!

[@all4thegoodofit979]

Love how you showed the difference with the lyrics. The use of imagination, metaphors and romance seems to be forgotten. 😢

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I felt like that was the only true way to show what i’m saying!! So glad that helped

[@Avirgogirl444]

Yes I don’t listen to any of them I don’t wanna hear about yall being f boys I don’t have time for men like that in my real life so why would I wanna hear about guy singing about being that way 😂

[@RamboQuellz]

With social media constantly highlighting toxic relationships, a lot of these younger guys act as though they don't have feelings of love and emotions. Everybody wants to be like a rapper

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Exactly this and it's bleeding into so much specifically R&B

[@Crazyhead432]

@@CamrynSuzannefuck that it’s bleeding into life way too much. Scamming, murder, theft, lite prostitution, plastic surgery everywhere…life has been feeling more and more like a rap video every passing year

[@Mr.Jaquaveon2k]

@@RamboQuellz I mean when you got girls listening to sexy red and shaking they ass it doesn’t even feel worth the effort

[@jeffpesos420]

The women aren't innocent the men didn't wake and decide to be that way

[@jaziteee]

Videos like this are why I love KZbin, never seen your page before but the algorithm knew I needed this! I love music passionately and I’ve been saying this a lot lately about singers in general! Subscribed for life ✨

[@kesha0727]

I love Brent Faiyaz, but I’m glad you mentioned that at this point everyone is trying to emulate his sound.

[@Dgee_Reigns]

Josh Levi once sang that "THEY DON'T MAKE LOVE SONGS ANYMORE". And he was right. He's another fire RnB candidate for the top spot⚠️

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Imma listen to him fr! So many people are dropping his name in comments

[@amorelockster1023]

Omg I’ve been listening to something more on repeat

[@Greybell]

​@@CamrynSuzanneHe's a dancer too and I think he and normani are childhood friends (they still are now too). I'm obsessed with his song Ego like it's so good.

[@JanJan4Infinity]

@@Dgee_Reigns yes Josh Levi is fine and he can dance too

[@afomaandrea5033]

His music is incredible

[@Israel._3x]

The Weeknd is the only one I’ll defend simply for his early work, because he is the blueprint for the toxic r&b. BUT HE DID NOT GLORIFY IT, like most guys do now. he went against the grain of traditional rb he wasn’t the flashy, confident, lady’s man. He was an insecure, fragile man that let his pain define him. He took a dark approach the love, infidelities, and things of that nature. If you listen to house of balloons, Thursday, echoes of silence. He gives the most realistic experience, for some people, of the anxiety, hurt, pain and fear that comes from toxic relationships. And his soundscape always depicted that as if it was a horror movie. Instead of the “please baby please take me back “ it was “I going to push you away because I’m going to hurt you worst than you hurt me”. To cope with his relationship he often did drugs, party, have sex anything to take his mind away for a failed relationship, like some people do! He was just brutally honest that he’s not the seductive “take me back” that everyone was used to. And I feel like guys after saw that and thought “it’s cool let me talk about how toxic I am “ when he was just been open about his trauma, the problem he has( because he did lot of self loathing for being toxic), and expressed with an MJ voice that’s some art to me. 🤷🏽‍♂️ glad he didn’t stay in that dark place 😂 but it was realistic and he was the first to me to truly bring reality

[@giovanniramirez9923]

His early work is his best, aged well too

[@Vaxmas]

Facts his old works his discography is like no other artist unique

[@Izzy-et9cl]

@@Israel._3x Even his new stuff too, like After Hours was extremely vulnerable

[@Israel._3x]

@@Izzy-et9cl and my dear melancholy!!

[@paquinraino8180]

@@giovanniramirez9923 Not really he make great music today, he is more diversified that's it. He can do pop, RnB, have funk or synth pop influence

[@Roman-bw2fo]

you hit the nail on the head on ppl calling men simps for... *checks notes* expressing emotions other than lust and anger and i knew modern rnb lyrics werent it, but some of the ones you showcased got me like IKYFL wheres the sensuality? the tenderness? the yearning? this is just sad now 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah it's so unfortunate because that should not be the case! Showing emotion is not reserved for women. Hate how it has seeped into r&b music.

[@rssspt]

​@@CamrynSuzanneOr they get called gay for doing so. The amount of insinuations I've seen abt an R&B's artist sexuality whenever someone is praising them is staggering and shocking. As if that was an insult to begin with!

[@epiphanyarina366]

It’s not people calling them that it’s other men

[@afrobutterfly]

THISSSSS. ALLLLL of THISSSS Treat her tender!

[@StivenTowers]

Camryn I'm becoming more and more addicted to your music commentary videos, I'm an R&B/Pop/Reggaeton artist from Colombia and I'm learning a lot about the music industry with your stuff. Thank you for sharing your view on these subjects, Keep up the hard work!! ❤

[@yesooc]

no bs you actually have good editing👌🏾

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank you so so much!!

[@MineNoraSmith]

As a girl who grew up listening to old school r&b,I feel like r&b really is lacking that emotion and soul it used to have. The romance is gone. Looking at the state of modern relationships,audiences lean into r&b for the vulgarity. I miss when I had to properly listen to hear what the lyrics are about. Your topics are really interesting. Keep doing your thing,girl ❤

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Agreed! so glad people feel the same way. Also thank you so much🥹

[@alexisrobinson2264]

If Miguel didn't jump on that girl's neck he would've been next up

[@CamrynSuzanne]

i forgot about that omg 😳😭

[@BellesView]

He did?

[@dashiajames1882]

Good afternoon: That was funny 😂😂. But it was a accident..!!

[@Planetunknown-n9i]

😂😂😂

[@AminahMight]

@Krissy-u8dpenis first* 😂😂😂

[@Jay99939999]

The R&B artist of today act like rappers now with their subject matter, the trap beats and their whole aesthetic. It like genres fused together and that is what is killing the male R&B artist.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Agree agree agree!!!!

[@COOKIEM260]

That's what they were doing with new jack swing, it's not new.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

@@COOKIEM260 it's not new but I think the iteration of trap music specifically being infused with r&b is further from the fundamentals. I mention new jack swing in this vid and Teddy Riley still made clear that there was still some sort of gospel influence based on his background. So i agree that it's not new but it's definitely pretty far now from what traditional was

[@ItsQueViolette]

@@COOKIEM260I’d say the difference is rnb when it combined with hip hop pre 2010’s we’re rnb singers who had rappers as features. They infused it but they didn’t turn into rappers. But now alot of them are LITERALLY rappers themselves

[@Demsky83]

Some of them……

[@pureunpado]

love how you talk so relaxed while giving us the whole timeline and theories on why it all changed.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank you!!!

[@jsaintil]

This video was perfect. You said everything. I felt like you should have blamed the weekend more for the shift. Lyrically he was the first one with this gangsta R&B. I was shook when i first heard him. Plus, you're cute as a button 😍😍

[@user-sp3nb4zc8d]

art is a reflection of life, historically rnb has been centered around love and relationships, but most people today engage in situationships, hookup culture, etc. more than traditional relationships, so that’s what male rnb artists are singing about. are they supposed to be fake and sing about things that aren’t authentic to their lives simply to uphold the traditional standards and values of rnb? also there’s still plenty of male rnb artists who uphold those traditional values, they just aren’t being pushed to the forefront because people aren’t resonating with that message as much anymore, so who’s really to blame for the shift in the genre

[@I_willslide]

@@user-sp3nb4zc8d I think the issue is that it’s too many singing about the same shit lol. We get it your a ho you’re but damn now it’s overly saturated with that toxicity shit. That’s the main issue for me , it’s seems more like a money grab than real passion for art. They care more about the money and attention and being “cool” instead of taking pride in the art itself. Art is supposed to have meaning not about sexing people all the time lol. Most men can’t even get one girl let alone multiple 😂. It’s not relatable in my opinion to majority of their audience it’s more like “damn I wish I could be that cool” type shit. Like I get what ur saying but i wouldn’t call it art when its no passion in it, like its “art” none the less but not authentic in my opinion. At least they can find cool ways to say “I n***ed on this booty” and not just blatantly saying that u know? Lazy art fr 💯

[@richarmolico6606]

Completely agree

[@chelsea9641]

@@user-sp3nb4zc8d speak it!!!

[@BoLuke]

@@user-sp3nb4zc8d Bingo 🎯

[@zariaspell1088]

I agree 100% Brent Faiyaz actually talked about this in his interviews.

[@ellestayc]

So real for the title because after the BET usher tribute and all the people were talking about why there weren't any men doing the tribute. And I was just confused tbh because in the modern music space, there are very few or any male artists who are giving usher vibes😭 So it was obvious why they got the girlies to do the tribute.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

right, everyone was acting so confused😂 we don't have a whole lot of guys in r&b rn mainstream that could give what needed to be gave. I actually liked how they gave the opportunity to mainly the girls

[@nakiyajourney]

i really miss old r&b for the reason i miss when love and REAL passion was FELT. when r&b wasnt abt vulgar and one nights, hip hop genuinely made a switch in r&b…

[@CamrynSuzanne]

same! I stay clutchin my pearls sometimes listening to new r&b from the guys because i was not expecting all that

[@TakverReturns]

Yep. Hip hop used to be fun, danceable, and had flirtation and romance in it before it imploded and decided to ride the gangsta rap ticket straight into a hellscape of misogyny and toxicity. And since the industry insisted on coupling r n b with hip hop (to make hip hop more marketable and mainstream), r n b inevitably took a hit and became mired down in the toxicity. It is funny to see how hip hop was initially aided by r n b, only to swallow the genre whole and then supplant it. I don't mind rappers singing, but they are no substitute for real r n b singers.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

I was a kid, never been in love but I FELT Boyz 2 Men songs. Like damn. That's good lyrics.

[@isaiahdesmond]

devin morrison makes music reminiscent of classic 90s r&b with the voice and lyricism to match. only has two albums but they’re both great, especially his first ♥️

[@DarioDvon]

I appreciate this conversation, as I create my 1st Ep. I might still be old school, but I connect with all you said, with the lyrics and the vibe. I don't speak like that or write like that, maybe because I still am very connected to my values. Livin the Dream Coming Soon ✨️😌 Thank you for this. ❤

[@Willow-cw9te]

Please stay old school 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@DarioDvon]

@Willow-cw9te I'll stay Me and Create something unique that represents me. If that interests you, then kool if not, that's kool too 😎❤️

[@Chuuzus]

male r&b peaked in the mid 2010s during the tumblr era. Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, Miguel’s Kaleidoscope dream and The Weeknd’s Triology have aged well

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Forsure, it seems like it went downhill from there

[@tylerhackner9731]

💯💯💯

[@AmandaabnamA]

And Bryson Tiller! He was HUGE! The mystic and all

[@JackCooper243]

I’d argue it peaked in the 90s. The sheer amount of great male RnB singers and groups at that time is vastly underestimated. Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Silk, Ginuwine, Dru Hill, Shai, H Town, Joe, Blackstreet, 112, Tony! Toni! Toné, I could go on forever. Many of these people in their prime would blow away most modern singers in general with their vocal capabilities.

[@09Nole]

“Peaked” in the 10s? I would disagree. As previously said, 90s was it for sure. Countless quality acts with distinctive sounds. Most today artists sound either the same or lack the content. In the 10s, I only recall Frank, Miguel and the Weekend really putting on. Chris Brown too to some extent, but his career remains one of the biggest what ifs ever.

[@pynki08]

Shoutout to you for mentioning Joe. He’s a tremendous talent and I feel like he doesn’t get his flowers.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

yes!! I'm glad I did. I feel like he's forgotten about

[@itzpete4833]

I just miss the late 90s into the 2000s male r&b because this current day male r&b is barely doing something

[@CamrynSuzanne]

agreed, the music now is OKAYYYY but it lacks so many core R&B elements and values. It's so much of a mix of everything else

[@itzpete4833]

@@CamrynSuzanne it's just the same sounds and lyrics like just give us something different new that we would like and jam out to

[@itzpete4833]

@@CamrynSuzanne Also do you think male r&b artists and male rappers is in competition with each other?

[@RomeoKojo]

Male R&B Women R&B Male Rap Women Rap Jazz Rock It’s ALL on life support.. loved your take and your commentary. God bless🙏🏽

[@vladimirmakarov3058]

@@RomeoKojo Rap kinda got a revival, 2024 been an amazing year for hip-hop

[@Internet_today1]

@@RomeoKojo rap ain’t dead especially the underground is going through a resurgence

[@jjfiend]

no shade, women rap is thriving, though a few of the artists in it might not be doing much

[@jasminemoore-j7m]

I don't think rock is on life support it's just heavily dominated by one demographic

[@julesolaguer8679]

absolutely love this commentary. the video & information is packaged and presented really well. you're so right about trapsoul. & love the editing. (i do love brent sm tho- and think a lot of people are mimickign whatever style brent fused together and its become the thing)

[@VibesLive]

Lucky Daye is carrying male R&B on his back atp

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Facts 🫢🫢🫢

[@thefulltimerockstar]

Bruno Mars penned one song for him. That's You.

[@jcdx87]

Nobody is touching him right now

[@paygej8710]

I was looking for this comment 😩

[@threeeyedtribe]

@@thefulltimerockstar Just recently added that song to my list and I love it! 💚

[@elisaestigarribia7106]

As a male who dreams of being a musician like this one day (call me delusional all you want) It’s really demoralizing seeing all these men failing to properly show and represent us. Cause there are still young children such as myself who desperately need a sigh that we too can be successful in this industry. Btw love your videos ❤

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Not delusional at all! Put your mind to it, focus on your craft, and put in the work and it can be possible. I just wish on a mainstream front, there was more talent being pushed! def check some of the comments though because there are some people mentioning some male r&b artists that they say are worth checking out🤝 Also thank you so much for watching!!

[@ayanoscolors]

Real men show emotion

[@anakinnotvader]

I also think R&B as a whole needs to shift out of the “vibe/soft spoken/trap” vocal era for us to truly see progress. Everyone can’t be a powerhouse, but we need more variety and distinction.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah, the variety is key forreal! That's what is lacking here

[@jihadamcsween2677]

There is variety you just have to look outside the mainstream

[@anakinnotvader]

@@jihadamcsween2677 I kid you not; one day I was scrolling through different R&B albums trying to find new artists, and all the songs had the same mellow vibe! You would’ve thought I was scrolling through a curated Spotify playlist 😭

[@anakinnotvader]

@@jihadamcsween2677 Don’t get me wrong- I have discovered a few artists who have a more Traditional R&B sound (i.e. Kenyon Dixon), but its far and few these days

[@VyCityMusic]

This was an excellent video . The informed commentary, the editing, and the passion in presentation . Well done .

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank youu so so much!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Jaytheblock]

All I have to say is, masterful work!!!!!I’ve been watching a lot of videos and you can see the lack of care/ focus/ attention in their videos. I’m so happy I found this page. Keep up the great work. I appreciate this channel 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@CamrynSuzanne]

This is such a heartwarming comment! I work soo hard to provide content of value and I love what i do. So thank youuu for watching and thank you for the kind words 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@empathyhoneyteatoo]

BRING BACK MALE YEARNING!!!

[@Hooperd2023]

@@empathyhoneyteatoo this the one 😭

[@SkippyLaughlin]

That's what books and characters are written by women are for. Any famous guy won't give you that. They're aren't into women outside of sex. They're like a gay person but love man platonically while passing around women around for s*x

[@orinzoncelli489]

The Weekend was the last good thing male rnb had. After he switched to pop it was over for me.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah the weeknd is definitely more pop leaning now😞

[@COOKIEM260]

Smino was the last good thing.

[@COOKIEM260]

And Durand, he's awesome

[@hendog5667]

@@orinzoncelli489 the Idol didnt help either lol

[@Wtfhappenedto2024]

Brent to me is good

[@knottiema7667]

It all went down hill when they stop doing the wide eagle wing spread motion 🦅

[@darii3523]

😭😭

[@CamrynSuzanne]

lmaoooo so true😂

[@sonwabiso_joy]

😭😭😭I immediately thought of the song "Have A Lil Mercy" by 4.0 😂😂

[@TalentedKamarty]

The women pick better producers it seems. The male r&b artists seem to wanna sing the rappers flows on their style beats more than making genuine r&b

[@WoW-qs4bv]

This was an interesting video! As someone who is kinda delving into the music space (specifically an rnb style, as an artist), this kinda served as a history lesson, and also shows what some audiences and listeners might want. I will still do my own thing as in styles and my personal inspiration, but y’all’s criticism and words about the genre are heard 🥹 it means much that people do actually care

[@אדרקויפמן]

I think Khalid's new album really gave the R&B male space something that was missing. The record is full of fresh sounds and good vibration, and Khalid really proved himself as a main figure in this category.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I'm SO excited to listen to that! I'm trying to tune in this weekend because I really like Khalid's music, I just had no idea he had dropped until a couple days after

[@אדרקויפמן]

@@CamrynSuzanne LOL I also didn't know about his project until the day it came out🙃

[@alvpha]

@@CamrynSuzanne You should. It's a great project

[@nakiyajourney]

i have been saying everything you have said in this video FOR SO LONG. how everyone says “drake or __ r&b artists make music for women” and its just them being VULNERABLE.. every point u said was right on! love u sm💖

[@CamrynSuzanne]

great minds think alike!! I feel like there are quite a lot of us who may feel this way but the conversation is not being had!! Love uuu!!

[@frogguoof]

Bbl drizzy

[@gigageta]

Poor Drake 😂

[@richardhuckaby]

This conversation is so necessary. There are a lot of male R&B artists out there with killer vocals and lyrical honesty/vulnerability (nobody's dancing tho 😂), but they're still tiny. As a male R&B artist myself I wonder what it will take to get to heights similar to our predecessors. Amazing video 😊

[@Cazket]

@@richardhuckaby you'd need to be special imo, I genuinely think in order to be big in R&B as a man. You need to be at MJ, Usher, or Chris Browns lvl or higher

[@richardhuckaby]

@@Cazket Man, that's real. I think you're right

[@Ian11Green]

This video was well done and MUCH NEEDED. You got a subscriber outta me 👏🏾

[@ConnorFischettiMusic]

I wouldn't even say the change in attitudes toward male artists being vulnerable led to a subconscious change, but a fully conscious one. People complained that modern RnB didn't give us vulnerability anymore, but said vulnerability was "phased out," or out of style. It simply wasn't accepted anymore.

[@STOICJAY747]

Y’all need listen to Alternative R&B cause male R&B is most definitely not dead

[@Willow-cw9te]

Alternative R&B is all that’s left. The closest thing to traditional R&B isn’t R&B, it’s just toxic fuckboy music

[@713majesty]

She ain’t say it was dead, she said it’s on life support😂

[@STOICJAY747]

@@713majesty notice I didn’t reference that she said R&B is dead

[@leilaistired]

a new group that i can think of that has recently stepped into the music scene last year is No Guidnce from the UK & they're reminiscent of those male vocal groups from the 90s & 2000s, their music is inspired by their peers while also incorporating their own twist & colour, which helps them really stand out along w/ FLO :))

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yes! Don't they have a song called "Is it a Crime?" If that's the group I'm thinking of, they have crazy potential

[@leilaistired]

@@CamrynSuzanne yep you got it, that's the one !!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Lucky Daye and Durand Bernarr we need them! Among others. They shouldn’t be the only ones Women seem to be carrying it

[@aisha691]

GIRLLLL!! MAY THE CHURCH SAY AMENNNN!!! Every single thing you said, I was preemptively saying the exact same thing!! Unfortunately, though I love Bryson tillers trapsoul album, it KILLED the rnb scene amongst men. Whoever disagrees with this take, I’d rather you not!

[@kabelomodisane1431]

You make excellent points. I can't disagree with you, you're so spot on and it's sad that you're right.

[@ButterscotchCloud]

Another banger! This is prolly my favorite video of yours. So many clever, funny moments, excellent points, and historical bits. 👏🏽

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank you so much! Quiet as kept, this may be one of my favs too 👀 I had so much fun with this one!!! Thank you !

[@idolgray]

Gallant, Xavier omar, SiR. All 3 elite and innovative r&b acts that have great lyrics and production...get into it.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I've listened to SiR and Xavier Omar! Gotta tap into Gallant. Will add that to my list

[@trarondahicks188]

I also love Rini too. Pretty good

[@seliyahsfairys]

​@@trarondahicks188 obsessed with him

[@ShayEvans-tz8mk]

Just discovered Rini too!🙌🏾

[@keke2596]

Butterflies was how I discovered RINI!

[@decetutt]

An Evening With Silk Sonic (imo) was the last male R&B album that contained true traditional R&B elements edit: since yall can’t seem to comprehend the “Pop Culture” topic, i’m referring specifically to R&B music on a mainstream level

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I can't believe this album jumped my memory when filming this but I would agree, on a mainstream level they were definitely feeding us with those traditional r&b elements

[@Dawnofvoid]

@@decetutt I like so sonic but it’s gentrification and not really breaking any grounds

[@kaylad4486]

That was Pop. The Soul wasn't in the room with us. A better album came out in 2023. Jalen Ngonda " Come Around and Love Me". Sounds so authentic to Motown. You would think it came out in the 60s. EDIT: I said what I said. None of you are musically inclined. I have more knowledge than all of you.

[@ItsQueViolette]

@@Dawnofvoidgentri- ones black and the other one is black passing with an all black band. Do you know what gentrification means?

[@PrinceKoffe]

​@@ItsQueViolette Neither is black, do you know what Black means. They both are mixed, and only Anderson is of African descent mixed with Asian. Bruno Mars is literally not any part Black, this was covered in 2008. This pop-R&B is lackluster next to most classic R&B. Get an ear and several seats.

[@mrmoe110]

Nowadays the real loverboys get called a “simp” by other men AND by women

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Not fully arguing that, like you pointed out it’s both ways

[@christinebelzie194]

Not just a simp but gay too unfortunately

[@nowayVII]

oh yes please do one video on women in R&B, we love your channel im so happy i discovered it this summer, will continue to rapidly grow because this is next level quality content

[@Natra9]

Now I would have to say the Uk men are eating it up in the R&B. Artist like Elemine...... he has my ears and heart..

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Ohh let me tap into the UK guys....got anymore I should tune into?

[@Natra9]

@@CamrynSuzanne I got yah girl!! Hold on.....

[@CamrynSuzanne]

@@Natra9 okay bet!!!

[@Natra9]

Ok. The only ones that I know for certain are going mainstream is Elemine and Saint Harrison, Jim Legxacy. The Uk women are dominating right now. Artist like Mahalia, Snoh Aalegra, Nao, Kaiit, Tiana Major9. They are coming up. 😅

[@rebeccakoester8998]

I’m not sure if he’s considered R&B, but Solomon (another UK singer) makes great music.

[@tjrpervis]

Exactly!!! You hit the nail on the head with this video! We’ve discussed this before and you just amplifying it and bringing it to light as to why so many people are claiming R&B is dead will HOPEFULLY have the GP see that R&B needs to be separated and different from Hip-Hop! SUCH A GREAT VIDEO THANK YOU!!! 🙏🏾👏🏾🩷

[@nicolesherman8974]

I’m tired of people leaving out Durand Bernarr, like he can’t sing circles around these 🥷. The mic is always on. Also, people like Gallant, Josh Levi, and even Jerome Thomas are out here. I know Lucky Daye’s back hurt from carrying male R&B in recent years lmao.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

@@nicolesherman8974 wait till the end🙂‍↕️ i agree! I mention Some of these guys!!!

[@trarondahicks188]

I love Gallant

[@ShayEvans-tz8mk]

Here for the Gallant love🙌🏾🙌🏾❣️❣️

[@LorenzDominique]

Facts. It’s the homophobia though. He was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.

[@vanessaseymour2634]

Check out BJ the Chicago Kid, Kenyon Dixon, October London and PJ Morton.

[@draefleek]

art imitates life(i fw the video for sure tho lots of insight)

[@baronwynter6536]

Grew up in the 90s, my first favorite artist(s) was Boys2Men and I agree 100%. Make me think of the positives of gatekeeping

[@SynisterCinnamon]

The mention of Brian McKnight triggered meeeeeee loll 😂 I’ve disowned him just the same

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Like he pisses me off so bad😭

[@positivitywins5687]

Hes soooo wrong… but he can 🎤

[@pinkstress]

U really ate down with this video editing and visuals ❤

[@CamrynSuzanne]

thank you so much !! 🥹 that means so much

[@briithaweirdo689]

Someone I really like and has a more vulnerable, sensual tone but still also gives very modern is Destin Conrad. He has a beautiful voice, not afraid to express his sexuality as a gay man, but also gives the romance factor. He also collabed with Musiq Soulchild just last year on a song and it was gorgeous.

[@Havok214]

I've been saying all of these things for years. I agree with you Camryn 100%. "The Voice was able to display what the lyrics couldn't wholly say". I love that you said that. You were on point in this video

[@Kooljupiter]

Unrelated, You got this smooth radio voice. first time coming across one of your videos

[@RebelWithoutABoss]

Finally, someone having this conversation. As a male, I generally always preferred male r&b artists, but I haven't had a damn thing to listen to for the most part in years. There's a few dudes here and there, but it's kinda sad not to see the traditions carried on in artists my age and younger. It's either vacuous atmospheric vibes "r&b" r&b singers that think they're rappers or r&b artists that think they're pop punk kids from the early 00's. Or r&b/80's pop fusion.

[@JaiK64]

Have you listened to 6lack last album? Have you came across Pink Sweats music? Black Pumas? I have a good list of current good singers.

[@Mr.Jaquaveon2k]

@@JaiK64Are they genuinely hood singers or do they do that mumbling humming stuff

[@rontehrzn]

Loved that you acknowledged the quartet of Chris, August, Trey and Jeremih. Those four were really the R&B stars I had to look up to with Usher at the top as like this all encompassing father and god for my idols growing up and Michael as just the overall end all be all of music as a whole. Going back to that era, it really makes me think about how much I was influenced by it from how I dressed, how I sang, the way I danced (albeit with a huge MJ influence) and the music I tried to chase and make for the longest time throughout middle school. Hell, I’m starting college in a month and I decided to move out to the west coast because of this era and how happy just being here around the palm trees, luxury and nightlife made me. Those four really were my heroes with Michael and Usher being like gods to all of us. I kinda miss it. The west coast sounds, the fun, club feeling, the synth based DJ Khaled R&B collabs, the fact there was a huge presence of Male R&B whether it was the radio, the BET Awards, festivals, etc. That was my era and I wish I was born like ten years earlier than 2005 so I could’ve been a college adult thriving and enjoying that time fully. With how much I loved it, I could’ve become a star easily in that era.

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Yeah they were really huge at that time kind of holding down the fort

[@rontehrzn]

@@CamrynSuzanne It’s a shame we don’t really have that no more. Like there’s mainstream male R&B stars but not a quintessential few that will define this era compared to the women where you have SZA, Victoria Monet, Normani and Tinashe.

[@jihadamcsween2677]

Hot take but Jeremiah is BOOOOO

[@jihadamcsween2677]

Hot take but Jeremiah is BOOOO!

[@Ky-or7vc]

Y’all gotta listen to Destin Conrad! His sound is the perfect blend of modern and 90s/00s R&B. Songs like Same Mistake and In the Air will have you sliding down the wall 😂

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I actually have before! He opened up for kehlani 2 years ago and I like himm🙌🏽 i totally forgot to mention him

[@Ky-or7vc]

@@CamrynSuzanne Yesss I saw him on tour earlier this year! Amazing stage presence and crowd control 😮‍💨✨

[@uchihadeity1158]

When Hip-hop became the No.1 music genre and the only "Cool" artists where rappers, a lot of men stopped simping and started being more honest in their lyrics (like rappers) about how they actually felt. Which killed off a lot of R&B and a lot of R&B artists are half rappers now anyway or melodic rappers. Now they just lie about their past and "Street cred" related stuff, but are often more honest about their feelings and or relationships.

[@davidavalos4256]

I think the men’s RNB subject matter is more a reflection of modern day dating. Situationships, FWB and an overall unwillingness to commit. I think that’s the root of why we don’t see love ballads like we used to.

[@TheRealArrendondo]

I’m so glad you made this video, I’ve been telling everyone this for yeeaaarrrrsss..quiet as it’s kept it’s been going down hill since the 90s…..they never talk about personal relationships with family or friends, their insecurities, battles with depression or self worth, no inspirational songs as a human being, it’s all just sex, infidelity,romantic relationships, unromantic relationships and weak vocals. No depth.

[@rontehrzn]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO MAKE THIS VIDEO FOR A MINUTE 😭🙏🏾

[@CamrynSuzanne]

So glad I made this one!! Happy that you guys are enjoying it because I discuss pop a lot but I really love r&b forreal

[@cacobapt]

Josh Levi deserve hos flowers cause the boy has the whole package

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Oooo okay let me tap in

[@cacobapt]

@@CamrynSuzanne he's been consistent on the rnb game and using all the tricks that we love with a different twist, the guy has pipes, the looks and dances like a mf as well

[@SaskiaTheBoss]

the soul in r&b died when men started uplifting groupies/karmics/tramps, all while trying to destroy somebody’s daughter for absolutely no reason beside temptation & lust

[@Tkaayuchiha]

Chris carrying Angel numbers, Under the influence & residuals are all amazing & vulnerable

[@darii3523]

As a diverse r&b male artist myself I can kinda agree on what your saying, it’s really hard to find good male rnb that isn’t always talking about the same things over and over again with the examples you list

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Where can I check out your music?!

[@darii3523]

@@CamrynSuzanne I’m “DaRii” on Spotify

[@aiiimat]

If you haven’t listened to Dijon yet, I definitely recommend him. He truly is a great live vocalist and you feel the emotion in his songs. He still writes about those tender feelings. (Great example is rodeo clown and good luck by him) I don’t know how to express it articulately but I would say it’s abstract, alternative yet R&B in away. Just found your channel by the way, loving the concepts of your videos! makes me want to make my own

[@MaleTears]

whaaaat the editing in this video was sooo good

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank you so much!! I worked so hard on it

[@Zoerapss]

You just got a new subscriber! I love these kinda videos

[@tenelezwane7968]

Thank you Camryn for this video! every word you spoke, was exactly what I felt in my chest for a hot minute. The men need to be unafraid to YEARN in their music. Your recommendations were exactly the artists that came to mind. With Lucky, Durrand, both Leons and Arin...I think Male RnB can be saved, for sure.

[@withneyjoseph51]

I miss the time when R&B males are actually singing and dancing in the rain, the desert, the beach and being romantic

[@abigaile16]

I think you did an amazing job with breaking down the change in r&b over the last 40 plus years. I personally enjoy the more romantic aspect of 80’s through 90’s r&b and the way it just feels better to listen to. There seemed to be more focus on “quality over quantity” back then, and it wasn’t all about what would exactly sell. The feeling that watching older r&b performances or listening to the music invokes just feels sweeter and lighter than what r&b and hiphop has become now. Don’t get me wrong of course! I enjoy new hiphop and r&b as the next person, but its changed so much. The performances and the lyricism is totally different now, which doesn’t make it bad, but it definitely feels like it’s missing something and it’s not completely living up to its potential. Btw, your videos are so good and it instantly makes my day whenever you upload! ❤️

[@CamrynSuzanne]

Thank you so much! I was trying to find a balance of explaining the history with enough depth but not dragging it too much. I agree with you on all of this, I personally still listen to a lot of new r&b but when you sit down and compare it is just NOT the same. It's kind of sad and discouraging honestly. Also thank you so much! So happy my uploads can make your day 💖

[@ImAMOOSE164]

This was a really thorough vid,what about our guy Bruno mars? and i think when silk sonic released their album,it was a hit,now not just "leave the door open"but all the songs on there was bangers like skate,and put on a smile you know PS:Great video once again!

[@CamrynSuzanne]

I feel so bad, I always am forgetting bruno!!! I think in my mind, the way his hits were set up in the 2000s, a lot of his hits being pushed were pop so I kind of forget to include him in the R&B convo. But in the late 2010s and the 2020s he has foresure been mostly doing r&b and doing a great job at it

[@opineismyname]

18:45 I wanna dance but ion have dancers. I’m not tryna look like Omarion up there alone 😂😂😂😭