In Kerry Dirk’s “Navigating Genres”, Dirk explains “genres as tools to help people to get

things done” (Dirk 252). In addition, Amy Devitt, a professor in genre theory, elaborates on the
idea of genres and the importance of having them in human interaction. This idea can be seen
through music. More specifically, R&B (rhythm and blues) music eases communication by
providing a means for emotional expression. This can be seen as a way to help and hurt human
interaction as it may encourage one to speak their mind. Expressing how one is feeling is healthy
for human interaction. In R&B music, artists use soulful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and distinctive
musical elements to connect with their audience on a deep emotional level. The music is
normally structured around topics such as love, heartbreak, and relationships, which many
listeners can relate to and find comfort in. Although R&B is a style that has established themes
and commonalities, it can also be versatile where artists are able to experiment and encompass
elements from other genres. Elements of pop, hip-hop, or rap can be incorporated into the music
as a way to reach a broader audience or create a new kind of sound. Thus, deception can be
created when blending together genres because it can challenge or surprise the usual R&B
listeners since they are more accustomed to R&B music. It can also cause debates about artistic
integrity and authenticity. R&B music enables artists to speak their truth and convey their
emotions through the established language and theme of the genre, making it a welcoming space
for those who want to express themselves within those boundaries. However, it can also
discourage artists who want to say something different or challenge the genre's norms. Similar to
the example Devitt uses about advertisers, R&B music advertisers use genre conventions in R&B
music to make their messages more palatable or engaging, but this can also be seen as deceptive.