Rhythm and Blues – It’s also abbreviated as R&B.

R&B is a genre of popular African American music, which was originated

in the nineteen forties.

The term has had several shifts of meanings along the time.

In the 1950 , R&B contributed to the development of Rock and Roll, and
the term became used to refer to music styles that developed and
incorporate electrics blues, as well as gospel and soul music.

By the 1970s, rhythm and blues was used as a blanket term for soul and
funk.

In the 1980s, a newer style of R&B was developed becoming known as

Contemporary R&B.

Contemporary R&B has a polished record production style, drum

machine, an occasional saxophone to give a jazz and a smooth.

Electric influences are becoming an increasing trend, the use of hip hop
inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in
hip hop may be reduces and smoothed out.

Some important R&B artist are for example: Michael Jackson, Usher,
Beyonce, T-Pain, Drake and Fergie.