Once a thriving genre in the music industry, R&B has really fallen between the cracks.
We are in a place where singers don’t sing, vocalists are overlooked, and a whole genre was pushed to smaller radio, unless you talk about sex. Back in the 90s and 00s, you could turn on the radio and hear Toni Braxton sing Another Sad Love Song, then hear Tupac rap California Love. Nowadays, R&B is pushed to Adult Contemporary stations, unless you are singing about sex or drugs. It’s really time for mainstream Urban Radio to give R&B the respect it deserves. And to be honest, Jazmine Sullivan and HER are leading the way.
Today Jazmine Sullivan was awarded an RIAA certification for her single, “Pick Up Your Feelings“. While I am happy for her, it upsets me that this is her first song to ever get certified. Jazmine’s only other plaque is for her first album, which should really be Platinum but it’s only Gold. Jazmine has put out 4 amazing albums, and they’ve continuously went overlooked. Before Pick Up Your Feelings, Jazmine hadn’t charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 years! 10 whole years.
Meanwhile artists like Summer Walker, Kehlani, Jhene Aiko and more have had huge success on the charts. I’m not pitting them against each other nor am I comparing. But I will say a bulk of their music is about sex or “fuck niggas” vibes. But where’s that leave room for the lovers? It takes a huge name to get the love back on the radio, like a Bruno Mars with his latest single, “Leave The Door Open“. I have a feeling that real R&B is on it’s way back, and Vibe&B is about to take a little break. At least I’m hoping.