Genre Research- R&b: Rhythm and blues or R&B, is a genre of popular African-American music that originated in the 1940’s.The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African-Americans, at a time when “urban, rocking, jazz, based music with a heavy beat” was becoming more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the 1950’s through the 1970’s, the bands usually consisted of piano, one or two guitars, bass, drums, saxophone, and sometimes background vocalists. In early R&B, lyrical themes often encapsulate the African-American experience of pain and the quest for freedom and joy: lyrics focus heavily on the themes of triumphs and failures in terms of relationships, freedom, aspirations and sex.

The term rhythm and blues has undergone a number of shifts in meaning. In the early 1950’s, it was frequently applied to blues records. Starting in the mid 1950’s, after this style of music contributed to the development of rock and roll the term “R&B” became used to refer to music styles that develop from and incorporated electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music. By the 1970’s, rhythm and blues was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the 1980’s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as “Contemporary R&B”. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance. Artists of this type of R&B include Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey.

The term Rhythm and Blues replaced the term “Race Music” in 1984. The name of the genre was changed because it was deemed offensive in the postwar world. Writer and producer Robert Palmer defined rhythm and blues as "a catchall term referring to any music that was made by and for black Americans". He has used the term "R&B" as a synonym for jump blues. However, All Music separates it from jump blues because of its stronger, gospel backbeat. Lawrence Cohn, author of nothing but the Blues, writes that "rhythm and blues" was an umbrella term invented for industry convenience. According to him, the term embraced all black music except classical music and religious music, unless a gospel song sold enough to break into the charts. Well into the 21st century, the term R&B continues in use to categorize music made by black musicians, as distinct from styles of music made by other musicians.