Genre Research

"Contemporary R&B, also known as simply R&B, is a music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance, which was mainly a genre of popular African-American music that originated in the 1940s.

The genre features a distinctive record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, an occasional saxophone-laced beat to give a jazz feel (mostly common in contemporary R&B songs prior to the year 1995) and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. Electronic influences are becoming an increasing trend and the use of hip hop or dance-inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop may be reduced and smoothed out. Contemporary R&B vocalists are often known for their use of melisma, popularized by vocalists such as Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_R%26B

The colour palette of this genre can range in colours, but usually uses visible text on top of a dark background so that the content stands out to the audience.

R&B images usual display a sexual aspect to it from the use of both men and women artists being made to wear minimal clothing to connote the sense of sexuality the R&B genre has. The minimal clothing of both genders tends to be used to attract more of the opposite sex as a way of bringing in more of an audience due to physical attraction.

Celebrities may include Big Sean, ICE CUBE, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Lil Wayne and more as the main male artists that would be used to represent this genre. Where the female artists may include Nicki Minaj, Rito Ora, Rihanna and Beyoncé. 

The iconography and props that tend to be used in this genre include jewellery, chains, guns and tattoos connoting the typical features this genre involves. 

The main target audience would range from those of the age of 13 to those around 25, as an estimate, as the conventions of this genre appear to this target audience the most.