Coco Jones, Victoria Monet, Jai'Len Josey, Chloe Bailey, Zonnique Pullins, Ivana Nwokike,
Jasmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Sza
Consumers have a role in what is elevated in music. I can no longer observe the trends in R&B as is, without highlighting the faces in R&B making musical noise who are true talents. It seems the genuinely gifted ladies are more likely paired with not-so-great teams, incompatible songs/songwriters, or album delays. Meanwhile, singers who barely sing above a murmur are becoming the face of R&B. I've had enough of the "baby whisperers" cooing on the mic. Some of the best moments in R&B were when singers "sang from their diaphragm" and when they'd dance. Vocalists can barely sing or dance are being elevated and somehow this is acceptable. Like come on now, something has to give! How did we get here? "Marketable Mediocrity" seems to be the name of the game. Aesthetic has been prioritized before talent; turning the standards and sound of R&B into watered-down, "poppy, vibey, basic-beige bullshit".
To clarify, talent should outweigh skin tone, hair texture, physique, and other phenotypical features. The merchantable qualities an artist has must be considered, and I understand this as well. However, it seems talent is currently lower on the list. How is it a music genre that was developed by artists who could sing well live as they did in the studio, dance, play musical instruments, and write set the tone for the opposite? I also think the rise to mainstream occurs prematurely for some artists has an impact. I cannot accept these "new norms" in music because they are inaccurate and are rooted in the long-term erasure of the historical contributions of the pioneers of rhythm and blues. If a lie outlives the truth, then guess what the lie becomes?
Ari Lennox, Tiara Thomas, H.E.R., Muni Long
Listen to the recent releases from the talented ladies of R&B. Coco Jones' 'ICU' is in constant repeat, and Chloe Bailey's album 'In Pieces' debuted this past Friday. Victoria Monet has a smokin' hot new single ft. Lucky Daye, Zonnique has a new E.P. 'The Break Up', and Jai'Len Losey joined Ari Lennox on her recent ASL tour. Ivana recently announced her solo career, stay tuned for what's coming, and Sza gave us 'SOS' last December. Talent is the prerequisite for R&B like a Florida heat wave, 'Always and Forever'.
Comentarios