High Ranked

I think r&b killed its self by thinking you have to feature a rapper in every song.Although, I like rap too,Thats just my opinion.

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High Ranked

I think that the quality of R&B artist/groups took a nose dive when gangster rap took over the airwaves. Now a days, you have a new generation of folks that don't give a damm about nothing, so the music that's out there is a reflection of that. You've also have school systems that have taken music out of public schools in the inner cities, and none of our youngsters are raised up in church. So, it's a combination of things that have contributed to why R&B music has declined over the years. Personally, I would like to see some quality R&B groups and artist back on the scene. There was a time when brothers were trying to be men. We need to get back to that mindset!!

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Neutral

Simple answer...the record companies. Groups start out, then the producers divide them up and now the producers and record companies have successfully eliminated R & B. It is not the singers and groups, they've always had their problems, but consider the managers who are appointed by the producers and record companies and whisper in the ears of the groups and divide them up. It is easier to pay one singer than an enitre group.
Sure rap had something to do with the changes, but not enough to eliminate R & B. Look at the groups of old. They stayed together until alcohol or drugs tore them apart. Now the folks who divided the Supremes and groups thereafter made so much money on one hit singer than a group. Just take a serious look at the groups of R&B and think about how the groups were seperated.

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Neutral

R&B was a flash in the pan and appealed to mostly
african Americans who make up 12% of the U.S. population.. Africsn Americans should focus on their true contribution to world of music--JAZZ. Jazz is all over the world. One of the leading Jazz stations in Los Angeles is now being sponsored by China Airlines. Today, I heard a commentator on a Los Angeles Jazz station discussing Israeli Jazz groups!! Jazz is our contribution to the world of music, --we need to tke our rightful credit and tell this to the world.

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Neutral

Why can't I edit, choose fonts and colors on the BV forums and blogs? I was always able to do this before. What's with this nonsense?

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Neutral

Somebody missed the memo...you don't have to be talented to be R&B artist these days. All you need is a hot body and handsome or beautiful face...and you are in. People that look the part, but can't sing worth a dime...as my grandmother would say.

There are only a handful of talented POPULAR R&B singers at this time in my opinion.

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Neutral

Well said. I totally agree. I was going to add my own comments but everyone who already posted is so eloquent and accurate that all I have to do is add a few "yups" "I agrees" and a couple of "I know thats rights."

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Neutral

In regards to greed, the record companies are the biggest culprits. Even today, most artists literally make pennies per cd sale. Imagine splitting that small amount of change between group members. Touring is an artists cash cow and even then, there are a lot of people that have to be paid. The bigger the production, the less money for the artist(s).

I don't know how groups like Earth, Wind and Fire were able to survive.

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