R&B is NOT Dead, it’s just having an Identity Crisis

[@AmerieFanbase]

Unpopular opinion: the real R&B is not pushed mainstream. The elites decide what is "popping" & most good artists don't have artistic power over their work (label artists)

[@herbyxrevolus]

Idk friend, this opinion might be popular af! Lol

[@copiouscat]

@@herbyxrevolus Asf! Lol

[@jaydenvelez711]

I agree although, there is a new great R&B girl group called FLO that is soon coming into the mainstream and they have the real R&B sound!

[@corieydadon]

​@@jaydenvelez711hell nawl

[@nicolesherman8974]

R&B isn’t just a one big genre. The sub-genres of R&B are being pushed out more than the traditional R&B people grew up on.

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

It just all sound the same now I think that is because of autotune and thks trap beatz it makes everything sounds the same

[@kalync.8232]

Well it’s obvious the general public isn’t interested in sub-genres.

[@synnyjester3x]

Bingo

[@BeastNationXIV]

Yup. Just like Hip-Hop. I guess the rhythm is something you do...and...blues is something you live. ❤

[@reabetswebotlholo3057]

its the fact that CTRL was released half a decade ago and that album STILL get me in my feels !!!

[@herbyxrevolus]

A chokehold !!!

[@MalikRashod]

I think the issue is BLACK R&B artists are not given the same push that the other artist who are not black are given who dip and dabble into R&B although most of them are not even considered to be R&B artists.

[@BellesView]

Exactly!

[@drednd5837]

R&b isn’t dead but it does lack promotion especially for black artists. It’s presence can be felt in most of pop and hip hop but contemporary r&b is more niche these days.

[@terrelljackson1995]

I agree with young ma said r&b is dead bc the balance and diversity of it’s gone the black division not in the record label anymore nowadays you got the same sounding type of r&b music now it was a time you had r&b music for the kids teenagers and adults

[@jjj0026]

My favorite type of R&B are from the singers who grew up in church. FEEL THAT SOUL

[@theonlyrocha]

And another thing, I DO BELIEVE that 2000s R&B was the peak of the genre 'cause of BET. BET had a heavy influence on how R&B was promoted during that time and when BET fell off, R&B did too. Just my opinion.

[@LivDeSantos]

This was such a good introspective. I think old school 90s R&B is rare. It's just been co-opted by the "pop" genre rather than being a solo stance by itself as you said. R&B is not dead but it certainly looks different. But there's value in nostalgia. We have to let things evolve to still indulge in nostalgia. My favourites in the modern R&B space would be SZA, Ari Lennox, The Internet and maybe Summer Walker. Very different feel to the 90s legends but still great music!💗Congratulations on the microphone - yas upgrade!

[@paris283]

@@westsidevixen right

[@rxlfe7177]

I've forever loved R&B but alt r&b really captured me for quite some time. It's definitely in it's shy girl era but she's still a hot girl with a hot reason. It's just her off season she'll be back as always

[@noahthomas-sneed7515]

aww herby🥲that shoutout was so kind. thank you so much. this was yet another wonderful video.

[@herbyxrevolus]

Ofcourse! Thank you for consistency showing up & listening to me get into all of the things

[@noahthomas-sneed7515]

@@herbyxrevolus always❤️

[@ddal7020]

Many people don't know that R&B has huge number of subgenres including Contemporary R&B, Soul, Funk, Neo soul, Doo-Wop, Rhythm and Blues (Traditional), Alt. R&B, Progressive R&B, Psychedelic Soul/funk, Disco, Snap&B, etc. and manyyy of these are pretty popular nowadays. In 2020s, Funk and Disco are coming back again, while in 2010s Soul and Dance-R&B were popular. R&B is NOT dead, the problem is people don't recognize R&B anymore and it just becomes part of other genres (especially pop).

[@PiosPlace]

Anytime someone says a genre (whether in film or music), all it means is that it's a market/demo that needs some tender love and care to evolve. Fantastic video / conversation!

[@theonlyrocha]

Maybe people are just listening to the wrong people. Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox, and JoJo are all here doing GREAT R&B music. Tinashe is taking it to the next level just Aaliyah did back in the day and legends like Usher, Mariah and Mary J Blige are still here doing good R&B music. so maybe people are just stuck to certain names and don't explore other options.

[@igotyourback9175]

Unlike other genres, musicians can sing about a broad range of subject matters and diversify but in the black community, it seems that R&B is kept to this very strict and rigid concept. Like why does most R&B songs have to be about sex, dating and romance? If it's not about that, it's about partying and having a good time. They use the same few producers and the same cookie cutter images. I think a lot of the more riske black artists are dominating, not so much because they are so talented and representing R&B in the best of light, it has more to do with them breaking those old molds and being more edgy, daring, controversial. A lot of black people will blow these types of artists off, as sell outs but it's time for black people to get with the program and open up to supporting more diverse sounds, looks, images and song styles. I don't think R&B is dead or dying, its just time for it to evolve but the people who are most known to support R&B seem to be resisting the change of tides. Thank you for this!

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

Yeah I agree it doesn't have that uplifting feel anymore

[@jujubee6030]

Thank you. There are several r&b underground artist but people only want to listen to the same 5 people and won't even try opening up to other artist. I also thought it was weird that the new girl group FLO doesn't seem to be pushed here in America. They are more popular in the UK for some reason. Ive never even heard their music play on the radio and they are strictly r&b.

[@getertk]

R&B is stagnant. There are good artist out, but the songs are all about vibez. R&B has also become more niche as well for Example Ari Lennox makes songs geared towards her experiences as a Black woman which is great, but it may just appeal primarily to that subgroup and not the mainstream. If you look at the list of songs you showed from the 90's and 00''s that topped the charts, most of those songs had broad concepts more relatable to the mainstream.

[@ivryrayborn5970]

It kinda is as of now. Music reflects trends and the mindset of a generation. Right now, rap and pop are the dominant genre. Not many people are wanting to hear about love or heartbreak, which is the main topic in R&B. Most people are trying to hit the streets, party, or have a good time. This dynamic may shift, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.

[@terrelljackson1995]

@@ivryrayborn5970 it’s more for the kids teenagers and early adults age of 18-25

[@cdot.8492]

R&B really fell behind in the digital age due to records labels going broke not being able to promote. There are still many acts no online presence which allowed dancehall, alt r&b, afro beat, and uk r&b to emerge in their places. In the digital age many hip hop and r&b acts that wouldn't make the cut at a record label found luck with mixtapes, eps, and genre bending.Then melodic rap happened.

[@kiarasodivine]

R&B IS NOT DEAD! It has transformed and will continue to transform! As all things do!

[@terrelljackson1995]

I mean it’s not dead but it’s damn sure it’s not the same for one when the last you heard a group’s dominant the charts and albums remixes I used to love heard r&b remixes on different beats and sounds the videos were different now If you from the age 12-25 of course you going to say it’s alive it’s more for the kids and teenagers now days you don’t have adults r&b soul music

[@thebluntfultruth8475]

Ari Lennox, Brent Faiyaz, Fana Hues, Jon Vinyl, Snoh Aalegra, Masego, Xavier Omär, and SiR are just some artists to name that are great in the current R&B/Soul category.

[@primeno.6487]

Choker

[@Frenchkidding]

except Ari & Brent the other one are not R&B to but more pop or Alt. R&B

[@noproblems3192]

@@Frenchkidding listen to their old projects

[@reabetswebotlholo3057]

alternative RnB: KELELA !!!!

[@copiouscat]

YESS

[@thefashionextraordinaire]

Love her!!!

[@A-M4]

She’s amazing!!

[@kimarinailah]

You could be a journalist or a writer for real from the way you use your words, how detailed you describe things, and how you define something. I liveeee for it 😍

[@thefashionextraordinaire]

Masego, van jess, josh levi, ari, dvsn, and xavier omar are carryingggg rn!!!

[@proverbs31university]

R&b isnt the same because no one goes to church anymore. R&b is deeply rooted in the church and since the new generation doesn’t attend like the old it makes sense that we aren’t getting powerful vocals and songs about love.

[@missgigip]

I’m 42 and love me some The internet esp syd and steve lacy , summer Walker , thundercat, Rochelle Jordan, Frank ocean, Kali Uchis..rnb is out there and you need to look for it now it’s not out there like it was before..but if u love music you will find it imo

[@SureYoureRight]

Agreed. I listen to a lot of the artists you’ve named too It’s almost like homework to find new music with this specific sound. Whereas growing up in the 90s and early 2000s it was available in abundance without even having to use the internet.

[@missgigip]

@@SureYoureRight exactly

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

I feel like r&b is not that but what's missing in r&b is not the soul the soul is still there but what's missing is the spirit It doesn't have that spirit anymore like whitney houston mariah carey mary j blige tony braxtons anita baker they spirit is on them records they can be gone and they presence is still gonna be there R&b is too far from it's roots it's too blended in with hip hop music now trap beatz and autotune I think that's what's it's missing

[@A-M4]

Rochelle Jordan is amazing! I’ve been a fan of her since 2014!!

[@HomesbyMcGlothurn]

This is a very insightful video. I have watched a few of your videos but this commentary made me subscribe. Awesome job! ❤

[@TheNewgreatlife]

I was not expecting this video to be this good! I had to watch the entire thing the whole way through without any pausing. Very engaging topic and the vibe you created just enhanced it even more. Also, great speaking voice. Very clear, but calming. Personally I would say if we don't wanna say R&B is dead, then at least admit it is dead commercially. A pure R&B song (by a true R&B artist) topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024 (or 2022 when this video was created) does not seem possible. Beyonce can do it because she's labeled pop and R&B and is an already established superstar from the glory days of the genre who continues to have one of the most devoted fanbases in existence. While artists like Usher and Mary J. Blige have not remained as commercially relevant as Beyonce, they have fanbases more devoted than the average artist and have therefore been able to remain somewhat vibile in this new era.

[@michellepittman7886]

Herby. I just love listening to your voice. I could listen to you talk all day ❤

[@reabetswebotlholo3057]

but yah the landscape that usher, Beyonce and Aaliyah came up in has CHANGED just think about what tiktok has done to the way we experience music let alone all of social media.

[@kalync.8232]

You killed me at how you described 90/00s music as “Sober heartbreak music”. Now I know you know 90s had club bangers lol. But I genuinely don’t believe the biggest difference between 90s and 2020s is the lyrical content. The most jarring difference is just how it songs whether how story are told, production, and vocals.

[@anthonyking7217]

During the 2010s, you have white british artists such as adele, sam smith and daley coming out with r n b songs, but listed as pop on the u s. charts. R n b music is not dead, but needs to be better defined.

[@shortbreadgirlscout3463]

I love Nao.

[@chaychklokata2504]

I used to go to Spotify, Are & Be playlist from 2016, and discovered Artist like Bj the Chicago Kid, Jasmine Sullivan, Usher and more trending songs, now it’s just full of afro music songs, which I love but also, it’s not giving R&B

[@tyarahernandez9291]

R&B is not dead! R&B IS the blueprint!👏🏾👏🏾

[@kyni87]

So glad I found your channel today ✨✨✨

[@kendrezflournoy2429]

There's a new singer named Ballad, and y'all should listen to his single named" Orange".

[@tlg-]

Take Me Apart/A_Part - Kelela is progressive R&B perfection to me.

[@liljay0687]

R&B is not dead. There are so many artists, we just have to listen for them. Lol unless it’s Renaissance lol. The only album that will be on repeat for months. And when the visuals drop…. 6 more months.

[@jujubee6030]

Renaissance wasn't r&b. Its a house, dance, disco album.

[@terrelljackson1995]

When the last time you heard a raw ass remix on a different beats and sound the lyrics were different

[@12irissu14]

There's a RnB Girl group called Flo.

[@imtime22]

7:46 Rhythm and Blues is black peoples music. Period. Its the racial separation between us and them.

[@reabetswebotlholo3057]

my friend said that those who say "RnB is dead" are just mad because they getting old 😭😭😭

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

I'm 29 and I agree r&b is lame now it has nothing to do with age you know good music when you hear it

[@norwoodsstokes3883]

Alternative r&b stands on the heels of Prince, Terrance Trent Darby, Van Hunt & the incapable, Meshell Ndegeocello, but definitely 2 me, currently reflected in the artist's you've mentioned, especially Anderson Paak, btw ppl, Cleo Sol, will be remembered...👐🏽👐🏽💪🏽💪🏽💯

[@reabetswebotlholo3057]

RnB is evolving

[@Chazcott]

I loved B Smyth. He was really dope. But I think because he was dark skinned black man, labels only wanted to push his look for a rapper. But he had that long lost Usher, young Chris Brown appeal to him. The music industry did us and him a disservice by underestimating him. Now he’s gone, may he rest in peace 💔🙏🏾

[@tamcole276]

Hey yes you sound great yay for the upgrades 🙂R&B is Not dead and I loved the way you talked about this.

[@creekboie3277]

The gag when he said r.Kelly had me 😂😂😂😂

[@traceeford2914]

You sound sublime like an angel reciting her Easter speech (clear and melodic).😇

[@mary6134]

Georgia Reign, Ella Mai, Danielle Brooks and Ari Lennox, are some faves.

[@adriarchy]

Have you heard of Rakiyah? She blew up on Twitter one day and get music is great. Really love Naughty x Nature and Care for me when I call

[@MariAntawn]

Kiana Lede 😍

[@tiamoreland4103]

You sound great with the 🎤

[@jasper299]

RnB is not dead. Alternative Hip hop and alternative RnB is beautiful and I love it. I am 38 and I don't like Chris Brown because he gives Bobby Brown.

[@exoticalBecky_Miami]

As somebody who liked xscape, mary j, jagged edge, ideal ect... Nobody else likes r&B it's never sold it's never been trendy... Every once in awhile I believe I can fly or something comes out... I'd say not until Beyonce... And part of me thinks that's like industry plant... The only reason it's making a resurgence with musically and Tik-Tok is because it's the cheapest to license because nobody wanted it... I remember being a kid hearing mokenstef he's mine and waiting for years to hear it played again ... Now everybody knows it... That's not going to translate to album sales...

[@rxlfe7177]

It's like saying Denim jeans are dead when it's just delusion.

[@kayaluv3ya2]

I just got into Tyler, The Creator & been listening to Flower Boy non stop

[@tamarraclark4740]

This was so good 😊

[@jujubee6030]

R&b is not dead. There are several underground artist who do r&b music. People only want to listen to those artist who play on the radio. Thsts why all the music sounds the same cuz they are most likely using the same producers. You are limiting yourself by only listening to mainstream artist.

[@myg1208]

I don't agree on respecting the transaction. R&B is supposed to have harmony and Love to it. And Beyonce is pushing pop music. Not R&B

[@imtime22]

How did we vocal bible Brandy and not Monica?

[@benhead679]

I feel like ever since Beyoncé dropped her body of work they think r&b is dead lol like I love how the queen can make the industry stop and change

[@onetonberry]

She lives

[@misskim237]

I agree with the tittle and thumbnails

[@lorentsenjr]

Very nice mic ^^

[@remuspierre8038]

Awesome Awesome

[@thatgirlimage]

Smino is R&B

[@kevinc4392]

this title😂 no lies were told

[@TheSmileycece]

Wow, you have beautiful eyes 😍

[@kblixt]

R&B is not dead

[@LameBushido]

🥵🥵🥵

[@DORIABrown-xi4xp]

Stop coming for Chloé.

[@inah4923]

Wouldn’t artists Justin bieber and Ariana grande make r and b music ?

[@suoutubez19]

Yes!

[@briannaaudain928]

They make some r&b music yes

[@briannaaudain928]

@@suoutubez19 They make some r&b music yes

[@2oaster]

R&B is not dead