Anita Baker's "Rapture" album had only 8 songs and THAT ALBUM???? That album was iconic. Incredible. CLASSIC! And that's because every song was a fricking hit
Well that was in the 80’s, back then you never really saw albums with more than 9 songs. It wasn’t until the 90’s until the 10-18 song albums began popping up.
well, truth is that time marched on. brandy got locked up, aaliyah's dead, toni got sick, went broke, etc.... but r. kelly hasnt stopped. he keeps ...going.
As a R&B lover, I love your commentary. And "singing in cursive" is a great description! The reason why I don't appreciate the radio anymore. I might sound old, but I will stick to my Whitney and old Toni B, and classic music like that. I tried, but i cannot get into this current stuff. Wtf
I feel you. I used to work for an Rnb music blog, so good stuff is out there. They're usually independent, not mainstream, and you have to dig through deepest crevices of the internet, but there is still some good rnb out there. Check the blogs.
I'm with you when you right ..i still love older ebb songs from artists like ...Rome...Anita..Toni b..Lucy pearl..jahiem...case...how...avant..I can go on n on lol
R&B used to be an expression of real life passion (anticipation/yearning ..etc) with substance. In this present day, the world is very superficial and materialistic (they want everything NOW). R&B is not dead, it's just in a millennial induced coma. Love your commentary! 💞
Man, you ain't lying when you say the singles weren't the best songs from those albums! I say that about Dangerously In Love, Confessions, Emancipation Of Mimi, Destiny Fulfilled, Ne-Yo's debut, Chris Brown's debut & Keyshia Cole's 2nd album!
I'm old school. I like the gospel twinged type of R&B music. The 70s was the best decade of music, especially R&B music. You heard all kind of songs that STILL sound good today. In the 70s you had funk music played by bands that had been together for a long period of time: Ohio Players, Sly & The Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Parliament/Funkadelic, Heat Wave, Rufus, Rose Royce and Con Funk Shun. You had the female groups: Emotions, Honey Cone, Three Degrees, Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge and Labelle. Your guy groups: O'Jays, Tavares, Temptations, Dramatics, Moments, Manhattans, Chi-Lites, The Dells and Blue Magic. You the Jackson 5 and the Sylvers. I didn't all acts. My point it that music came from something.....struggle. Black folks were free to be. That music soul, blues, jazz and some rock. All coming from a foundation of gospel. We will never get back to these sounds.
Facts! I'm surprised that a white singer hasn't already capitalized on this new wave of R&B music. I'm actually glad that we do have a lot more Black R&B singers in this wave than we have had in a LONG time. Daniel Caesar, H.E.R, SZA, Luke James, Bj the Chicago Kid, etc. Not sure how long that will last though.
But ours don’t SING and are monotone like Calvin points out. Must b some kind of sabotage, sorcery or maybe dem pills they sing about. It don’t add up 🤔
Any man who entertains women should have the Best of Sade. And if you want her to have those tingles put on Regina's Bell's single After the Love has Lost It's Shine.
That "cursive" singing (or indie singing) is the reason why I can't get into Sza and Khalid. I hate that type of singing. AND "Boo'd Up" is annoying! Not sorry 😡 I used to watch BET Soul/ VH1 Soul when I had extended cable lol
Another thing lol...I think another reason the soul isn't there (the monotone melody ranges) is because today's singers didn't grow up singing in the church, which was where that soul came from. But Calvin, since the industry is going towards streaming, and streamimg royalties are very small, do you think the music industry is literally drying up since there's no money greasing the wheels? I'm down to make an online outlet for Rnb performances. Let's put our heads together!
Every 10 years a genre of music RISES AND SOME genres DIE out in the mainstream scene...couple of years later it happens again....that's what always happens...and it will continue happen.... The cursive ACCENT singing was started by indie alternative rnb artists and Sza...now all these girls are doing it and its gotten so redundant....if u think about it Erykah Badu is the God mother of cursive singing but the thing is she is an actually gifted vocalist so it comes across unique and effortless even though she's clearly putting on an accent...
You need to do a "Strong Male R&B" act video. Like you had Jaheim, Johnny Gill, Christopher Williams, Joe, Tevin Campbell, Eric Bennet, and groups like Tone Toni Tony, Boys to Men, and such. As for performance shows I miss the Arsenio Hall Show which gave the best sound. Even the Chris Rock Show and the Dave Chappell Show was the thing for R&B and Hip Hop.
THANK YOU. I so agree with you about the cursive singing. I think a lot of the young acts are too concerned with creating “a vibe” or “an aesthetic.” And while a lot of the songs are very relaxing and mellow...it puts me to sleep! And they all sound the same! 🙄
I agree with a lot of what you said Calvin especially the part about bringing back music platform shows like 106&Park and even Video Soul. Urban artists need that especially the R&b artists.
Yassssssssssssssss.....i love when you drop the music knowledge on us!!!! And the reason I have extended cable is for vh1 soul😉 TLC are the G.O.A.T. ...CrazySexyCool ...classic...you can do the same with Brandy's 1st album and "Never-say-never" and Aaliyah with "one in million" and her last album as well.
I've gotten so much of an education on the history of r&b music/industry from you! I've discovered so much music. Especially your twitter thread on underrated r&b jams.
When you talk about producer's not knowing what to do with singer's with larger than life voices I thought of Jennifer Hudson. She has one of the best voices but besides dream girl's she didn't get much recognition. Her solo career didn't take off for a numerous if reasons.
another thing no one makes good bridges anymore! I love a good bridge. Anyway, I am thankful for the non-mainstream artists who don't go with the trends. It's sad that the people in the forefront are not good representatives of the genre.
Before #MichaelJackson passed away, I remember this one video where Michael Jackson was talking with his friend, and he was saying Music is not the same anymore. Because some artists put out a full album or like 7 or 8 songs and it was only one or two songs on there that was a banger and the rest of the album was dull. But back in the days you had to have a full album to be a banger for people to buy it. Here's the link to that video. th-cam.com/video/FxlU2vNsYH0/w-d-xo.html Another thing is the young generation don't care about an whole album, nor do they have the capacity to sit and listen to a 10 or 12 song album. They want a single every minute on the minute and that is what streaming is. I remember #ChrisBrown just came out with a 16 song album and not everyone listened to all 16 songs and only 2 songs was actually okay. The rest of the album was trash in my OPINION.
Last thing, im keeping my eyes on normani. She could be the next big thing and shes releasing an rnb album next year. She might be what this industry and rnb needs. Just hope they dont hypersexualize her SORRY FOR SPAMMING YOUR COMMENT SECTION. i loved this video.
Same, there are clips of her album being made with uptempo NOLA sounds (e.g. Big Freedia, marching bands, etc.) I’m very excited to see what she brings to the table.
@@Lordpraisethe her lead single she just dropped with 6lack is not rnb either.....if she really wants to do rnb music she should stop dropping songs that don't fit in the genre because she will just confuse her target audience.....
Sunny Gordon I wanna hear some new stuff from Jazmine. I was lie, “Okay, cool” when I listened to like two of her songs, but I fell in love when I finally listened to “In Love With Another Man” 😍😍😍
Where are the VOICES?!?? That's the real question. Back in the day, we had the likes of Mary, Faith, Patti, Luther, Whitney, Mariah, Brandy, Monica and TLC. People were actually singing and harmonizing and they had distinctive voices. We have people like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, but what are they doing now?? Beyonce is too busy trying to rap and Christina's music hasn't been interesting since 2007.
I love your R&B is dead series! You're always vocalizing my exact thoughts on the current state of music. The music isn't bad, it just needs improvement, creativity and effort!
GOAT of “in your face” slow jam has to be Brian McKnight- Anytime. Catching your ear with the beat, slow build, emotional melody and the vocals 😩ugh!!!!!
Calvin, I watch BET Soul and Sub Soul. My 10 year old daughter likes some R&B but I don't know what to play for her to take her over into loving R&B the way I do. I feel like I can't raise her the way I was raised. My parents and I loved listening to music together. I went to school dances knowing all the words and latest dances but now, I feel like there is a disconnect with me and the music now. R&B now is synthesized and too oversexed for me to feel comfortable letting my daughter listen to it. I don't know what to do. Sorry about my rant but I'm literally disappointed in my favorite genre of music right now.
@PurelyAfrican Yes, she does like that, "Boo'd up" song. Your right, the older stuff is the only thing that's age appropriate. I miss when people sang about sex and adult situations but the lyrics were innuendos and metaphors. Today they are just cussing and being raunchy.
angelti23 welp do what my parents did. Put on a playlist from music you and your parents listened to. My mother has the best Taste in soul, r&b and hip hop. She cleaned the house jamming to Luther Vandross, Boyz 2 Men, Destiny’s Child, Phil Perry, Usher and Monica, Tupac. And keep in mind, she’s a baby boomer. Nonetheless, put her daughter on to the old school. She’ll appreciate it as she gets older
@@AyeishaN0Curry Yes, I think that's what I'm going to have to do. I just don't want her to feel left behind. When we went home for Thanksgiving, all of the kids in our family (two of them slightly younger than her BTW) knew all the words to Cardi B's whole album. But then again. My cousin said she doesn't care if her daughters listen to lyrics promoting sex and gang violence though.
@31:36 YES!!! Acts aren't using vocal range. They literally sing btwn 4 notes ... that's bc of the overlap btwn rap and r&b .. singers trying to be accepted by rap enthusiasts and rappers trying to grab neglected r&b fans ... also, the great point of THE LACK OF R&B PRODUCERS smh BRING BRIDGES BACK!!! Mainstream songs are so linear and derivative - they stay in one place vocally, musically
Calvin, thank you for talking about Rich Harrison and the way all his songs built up as they went along!!! He's one of my favorite producers of all time and I wish he would come back cuz ALL his songs were GOLD, especially the ones he made with Amerie. Congrats on another great episode, too many great points being made as always...
Another thing, too (and you touched on this in a previous episode), in the 90s, there were so many TYPES of rnb in the mainstream. Subgenres were trending (new jack swing, balladeers, slow jams), but there was a variety we could choose from. Now, whatever little mainstream rnb that does squeeze through rides on the same sound....Also Jlo's "Get Right" was Usher's song first...but that's a whole nother story lol
I agree with you 100%!!! I meant to comment last night. Yes, R&B needs multiple sounds. And I agree with you on the lack of "In Your Face" Songs. The Introduction of a song really sets the tone. Like MAZE & Frankie Beverly with "Before I Let Go" OR the Drum Combination in the intro of Cherrelle's "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On". I can keep going on great examples!
The dislike for Beyonce mainly came from her daddy oversaturating her in the media. SHE WAS EVERYWHERE ALL OF THE TIME! People got burned out on her quickly--including me--back in 2002-2003.
"Can we please use another octave? No we're not, we're gonna stay right heeerrre.." That right there, sir, left me dead on the side of the road!😂 I love you! Can't stand the lazy vocals these artists are creating nowadays.
Alicia used to have range and could belt! I watch her performance of "How Come You Don't Call Me" from the Lady of Soul Awards in 2001 and wonder how her voice declined so quickly.
You are so on point Calvin! These are things that I thought about since I was a teen (I'm 30) but I couldn't really discuss them with my peers because majority of them don't care to do deep analysis of the downfall and changes of R&B
You are right.. the intro to the song hooked you in as a listener! Jaheim- Could it Be Deborah Cox- How Did You Get Here Faith Evans- Love Like This Or remember when artists just jumped in the song like 112- It’s over now then the beat dropped🔥🔥 Can you please make one about R&B Duets, please?!?!
True, I'm a huge Beyonce fan and my all time favourite cuts are Yes, Kitty Kat, Be With You, 1+1, I Care, Dance for you, schoolin life, Rocket, Superpower , Wake Up (which got leaked in August) and most of the non singles. The hits are cool but these songs just get me in my feels.
When I was in college, they used to have R&B karaoke every semester and I would always sing tevin campbell songs with my sister (we DO have the range lol)
Shout out to Normani - Waves. And Sevyn Streeter is a queen. I still think people don't respect her due to colorism. All her music is great. She is a singer a writer and a dancer. Love her. And my favorite Beyonce songs are : me myself and I, disappear, Hollywood, work it out, green light. I like it when she attaches herself to funky sounds. If there is a band, even better. I still think BDay was a great all around album. I don't really care for what she puts out now. I don't really feel anything. It's cool but I get tired quick. And as far as men singing today, rappers always want to be singers. The singers want to be rappers and today we have found an unhappy medium of rap singer (monotone singer).
Omg yessss you’re so right about this singing with accents shenanigans going on. I peeped that out awhile ago. Case in point, I like alittle bit of SZA’s songs, but she is the Queen of doing this. I had to google her bio to see where she was from. Also Kehlani I don’t matter how hard I try to listen to her, but it’s something with her voice that hurts my ears😫. Anyways great video as usual👍🏽!!!
Great video! I love how you broke it down on how R&B used to me and how artists aren’t selling their albums. I wanted to ask, if they are not making as much sales in physical copies, then how are they able to get their album to #1 on Billboard charts? And R&B charts if that is still around. I’m very curious about it since technology is taking over a lot of things. And when you mentions about artists used to do behind the scenes for their albums and music videos, I remember watching those as a kid in the early 2000s. Now a days it’s like they either taking that making endorsement deals with Netflix or another streaming network.
Also you're exactly right about what shows like TRL and "Behind the Scenes" themed shows did for artists success. It helped us feel more connected to them and helped build anticipation for their new video/single/album! TV producers have really fallen off and gotten less creative
I agree 1000%. R&B has no initiative anymore, and with this streaming (thanks for bringing that up cuz I always say it doesn't equate success at all with an album) and no great producers anymore, R&B will continue to be on life support. Also, I've also noticed two names. Adele and Taylor Swift, who can still manage to sell physical albums. Why? Cuz they don't automatically give their albums to streaming platforms. They sold all those albums cuz they hustled their work and make people aware of it and didn't send it off to streaming platforms right away until about 7-8 months later. I think that's how all acts should go forward with stuff. Make people want to go out and buy albums again.
R&B, Hip Hop and even Country music is dead. When you can auto-tune a country western tune, that's how you know that corporate driven music is nothing but garbage. The payola factor has gotten even WORSE. When Teddy Riley has been reduced to a victim on "American Greed" last year, that's when you know that pop music is driven by money. The last newest person we had was Skye Dakota Turner - who Calvin introduced to us!
My suggestion... H.E.R. She sings, has a distinct sound and flow from what's out now, has stage presence (but has some improvements to make in that area) , plays instruments. Check her out
@calvin michaels, i think with R&B just like recently with hip hop, they want the commercial faces for the genre to be more racially ambiguous and white, as well as performers who are connected to social media. That explains why queen ninja was able to blow up before seyven with her lighter skin tone and huge youtube following play a part. I mean it literally took janelle monae to star in hidden figures and moonlight for folks to take her seriously outside of her covergirl endorsement deal
I don't really consider something being mainstream as criteria for it being alive or not. R&B isn't dead there are many R&B artists out there in the music scene rn such as Masego, St. Beauty, Danial Cesar, SZA, Gallant ect. the genre is moving toward a new sound Alternative/Indie Moody R&B I think ppl are too concerned with something being mainstream/super popular rather than the actual quality of the music.
i'm curious as to how you'd feel about the kpop industry. artists tend to favor shorter albums (EPs) in order to keep interest as there's an over-saturation of kpop groups and the occasional full albums that are usually about ~9 songs but also continuous live performances on music shows with vocals and full out choreography, fan chants, etc. not to even mention the constant concept changes per album, a set aesthetic for each era, genre switches, the whole 9 yards. you can never get bored of kpop because there's always something new
I’m almost convinced witchcraft was involved in 2 songs on Faith’s debut album, You Used to Love Me and No Other Love. Once the beat dropped, entranced! 🤔 or maybe Ancestors were involved. Anyways outstanding post!!
Age 14? I think I read an article a few years ago that said it was 30. That fit more with me. I was all into the music I grew up with in the 80s, the music of my teens in the 90s (the best era), I still hung on in my 20s in the 2000s but it was during this period that to me R&B was getting to be all slow songs and about sex blatantly and about 2006 or 2007 it didn't catch my ear anymore. I liked the pop sounds, the electronic dance music 2008 to about 2010 and by that time I was 31... fewer songs started flowing in that I liked. Hip Hop turned terrible with the sprinkler beats and mumbling and it remains the same today. When is that style changing? NJS had evolved by this point in time as far as trap goes. I get introduced to new songs today by commercials and my friend's 7 year old playing Fortnite. All the big R&B artists seem to be on a hiatus right now. Beyoncé is all Jay-Z and social commentary. Where is Justin? Where's Usher? Are they all old now? You had me laughing not singing in another octave. I am also annoyed they're all tenors who sound exactly alike. Lou Rawls could never have made it today. Oh yeah it's 3 years later and it's still the same!!!
I forget how well you sing until you (kablam!) the rifts from these songs. R&B dies when the musician/producer aims a song to hop in more than one genre. Sustainability is key; for example, Toni Braxton's 'long as i live' is 2019 grammy nominated as it has her 90's formula. Class lasts. Oh, and the CDs with 7-9 tracks cater to ppl's short attention span.
Did you ever get into neo soul? I was and not a fan of how R&B don't actually phase into my adult years like my parents had it in the 50-70's. Grew up on the greats and many 90's artists tried, but I still feel in late 2018 that neo soul, even though the younger generation doesn't listen as much. Might actually change the course of R&B
Can you also do a mini series on what happened to pop music? I love to see your take on what happened & knowledge about pop artists. It seems now that pop music is just all about trap music music or kpop. People like Cardi B, 6ix9ine, 21 savage, lil baby, migos, future, etc. Trap music has become pop music. Even people like Taylor swift who had done country music in the past went from pop music into trap music & now she even has a song with future. I would like to know more about each pop music cycle. We had Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Jessica Simpson, backstreet boys, NSYNC, etc doing rnb music known as teen pop up until 2008/09 with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj & Kesha doing their own pop music with rihanna & Kelly Rowland doing the euro pop sound until 2012 having chief keef who started the trap music trend & ever since then pop music has never been the same. We may had a couple of one hit wonders but no pop music cultural impact artist like we did up until the early 2010s. It just seems that in 2018 the only music that is getting the most attention is either trap music or kpop which is cool. I respect & appreciate all types of music but I kind of miss the little musical diversity we had such as pop, rnb, hip hop, rock, dance, euro pop and even country. Heck, Taylor swift help made country music mainstream for a little while. Sorry for the little rant but there’s my two cents. Lol 😸
As a musician I think of music as seasons, a genre emerges, gets it's day in the sun, then fades away. Elements of rnb still show up in a lot of genres, even if the distinct sound is gone. I'm excited to see what genre will emerge next. I've always been in love with chords, progressions, rhythms, etc. For me, the genre is a container, some really different sounding stuff coming out. Interesting times.
I loved this video so much you are very smart and intelligent Im literally taking notes as i watch this video because im a singer/song writter (well aspiring too be) and i promise you when i release one of my songs its gonna huge aha
And i was born in 2001 and i talk to my mother all the time about how all music these days sound the same and how music should of evolved into somthing better it seems like since 2011 or maybe 2012 whoever is in charge of the generally sound said "fuck it give it to the wolves or something" like i have a vision of what music should have sounded like if music would have properly evolved from the 90s but it didn't thats why i listen to kpop and old music because alot of the music has that "WoW" factor Im hoping i can bring back when music made people really..REALLY feel y'know? Like real talent i wanna being back the real stuff And we really need to bring back those types of music shows
Recommendations for late comers to this video (like me) Flowerchile "Forever" Vocal prowess Kenny Pahina " Are You Still in Love" Early 2000s sound Vitamin Cea "Cea Ya L8r" Rap/Poetry with an r&b vibe Baby Boy Keith "Missing You Like Friday" Very late 90s vibes All here on youtube
There's some newer R&B artists that I really enjoy like Ro James, Daley and Kevin Ross, BUT a lot of this current generation sounds too much alike and don't have enough personality or charisma. As far as that BIG sound on the first single, I think The Weeknd and Bruno Mars have done a good job with that this decade. Songs like "Starboy" and "24K Magic" still get burn at the house and the ride.
Another reason why there aren't any closeness with today artists is the increasing of social media. Even though social media is good way to introduce your work to the world, but there isn't a real interaction. Sometime behind the profile is the artist's publicist who has to promote the artist's content to get more fans and keep the fans satisfy. I have always said the music no-a-days doesn't have a great style of being unique and different. Everything sounds the same with both genres of music; hip-hop and rnb. I give J. Cole his respect because he doesn't use the same rhythmic sound or beat in all of his songs even Childish Gambino. However, my generation is so transfix with the beat of the song and not actually paying attention to the sound or creativity. Most of them are trying to be rappers, but not understanding you can't have the same style like a Lil Wayne or Lil pump (roll eyes)- bring something different to the table. However, they also see dollar signs as well because how much mainstream most of the boring, non-unique, and not so creative music artists are making (they aren't making much yearly).
Praise & worship (Gospel & Christian) music never dies but all this secular garbage will that's why every couple of years there a new genre buried and another one gaining popularity. It's all overhyped trash music now on the radio only reason people like it is because they play it over and over again till it get stuck in your head but when you listen to the song a couple of years later your like what was i thinking.
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Anita Baker's "Rapture" album had only 8 songs and THAT ALBUM???? That album was iconic. Incredible. CLASSIC! And that's because every song was a fricking hit
True! Rapture is 1)a. Yet her album 'Composition' come in as 1)b not 2. 😜😜😜
Yes! That! She sounds exactly the same in concert as well. A true legend! I love Anita Baker!
Well that was in the 80’s, back then you never really saw albums with more than 9 songs. It wasn’t until the 90’s until the 10-18 song albums began popping up.
AGREED rnb sounds the same. It used to be creative. Brandy, mjb aaliyah, toni, etc..
Go even old like Troop, Mint Condition, Baby Face, Silk, Angela Winbush, Stephanie Mills , En Vogue etc...
Part of the problem is everyone is using the same producers or sound mixing programs.
well, truth is that time marched on. brandy got locked up, aaliyah's dead, toni got sick, went broke, etc.... but r. kelly hasnt stopped. he keeps ...going.
As a R&B lover, I love your commentary. And "singing in cursive" is a great description! The reason why I don't appreciate the radio anymore. I might sound old, but I will stick to my Whitney and old Toni B, and classic music like that. I tried, but i cannot get into this current stuff. Wtf
I feel you. I used to work for an Rnb music blog, so good stuff is out there. They're usually independent, not mainstream, and you have to dig through deepest crevices of the internet, but there is still some good rnb out there. Check the blogs.
Tell me about I actually get irritated listening to the radio the quality of sound and vocals is trash
Soulbounce was my source. Hadn't checked them out in a while.
I'm with you when you right ..i still love older ebb songs from artists like ...Rome...Anita..Toni b..Lucy pearl..jahiem...case...how...avant..I can go on n on lol
Lea Brown hmm good point. Do you have any blogs you’d recommend?
And this generation lacks Black Bands and Groups. That will help R&B a lot.
Good point
You're right, people be singing with these weird affectations. They be yodeling on the mic. I can't.
Alex B. And generic lyrics
Not yodelin lmao
H.E.R will definitely be a staple because she actually has a distinctive voice
I hope so
I agree she does
This and she is keeping it about her music.
I love her sound but she has No stage presence
@Lil Heinrich troll
@Calvin Mitchell I'm so glad you mentioned Janet, I'm so tired of people pretending like she isn't a gigantic part of R&B in the last 25 years
R&B used to be an expression of real life passion (anticipation/yearning ..etc) with substance. In this present day, the world is very superficial and materialistic (they want everything NOW). R&B is not dead, it's just in a millennial induced coma. Love your commentary! 💞
Big fax, no printer! No soul, no passion, no emotion, no LIFE EXPERIENCE in these new age R&B songs! Not feeling most of it nowadays!
Man, you ain't lying when you say the singles weren't the best songs from those albums! I say that about Dangerously In Love, Confessions, Emancipation Of Mimi, Destiny Fulfilled, Ne-Yo's debut, Chris Brown's debut & Keyshia Cole's 2nd album!
Belize2787 yessssss🙌🏽
It seems like D'Angelo is being forgotten in the realm of R&B. To me he revived classic R&B in the 90's.
"Send It On" is probably my favorite song of all time! I love D'Angelo!
@@anjelheaven his voodoo album and brown sugar are classic
@@lololee24 I hear you but max came after D
I hear you but I had no idea what neo soul was as a child, so...
vanitysmirror He’s not even rnb tho he’s neo soul.
I'm old school. I like the gospel twinged type of R&B music. The 70s was the best decade of music, especially R&B music. You heard all kind of songs that STILL sound good today. In the 70s you had funk music played by bands that had been together for a long period of time: Ohio Players, Sly & The Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Parliament/Funkadelic, Heat Wave, Rufus, Rose Royce and Con Funk Shun. You had the female groups: Emotions, Honey Cone, Three Degrees, Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge and Labelle. Your guy groups: O'Jays, Tavares, Temptations, Dramatics, Moments, Manhattans, Chi-Lites, The Dells and Blue Magic. You the Jackson 5 and the Sylvers.
I didn't all acts. My point it that music came from something.....struggle. Black folks were free to be. That music soul, blues, jazz and some rock. All coming from a foundation of gospel.
We will never get back to these sounds.
Rnb aint dead rnb is just packaged into a cute little white bow! Keyword “white” but u aint heard it from me
Facts! I'm surprised that a white singer hasn't already capitalized on this new wave of R&B music. I'm actually glad that we do have a lot more Black R&B singers in this wave than we have had in a LONG time. Daniel Caesar, H.E.R, SZA, Luke James, Bj the Chicago Kid, etc. Not sure how long that will last though.
But ours don’t SING and are monotone like Calvin points out. Must b some kind of sabotage, sorcery or maybe dem pills they sing about. It don’t add up 🤔
blk coverboy 😂😂😂😂Nope I don’t hear it from you. 😉
Or racially ambiguous
These songs are good wavy vibes, but I don't get tingles in the back of my neck listening to it. The heart and passion needs to come back to R&B.
Any man who entertains women should have the Best of Sade. And if you want her to have those tingles put on Regina's Bell's single After the Love has Lost It's Shine.
That "cursive" singing (or indie singing) is the reason why I can't get into Sza and Khalid. I hate that type of singing. AND "Boo'd Up" is annoying! Not sorry 😡
I used to watch BET Soul/ VH1 Soul when I had extended cable lol
For the longest, I thought that Boo'd Up and Tripping were the same song 🙄
Another thing lol...I think another reason the soul isn't there (the monotone melody ranges) is because today's singers didn't grow up singing in the church, which was where that soul came from. But Calvin, since the industry is going towards streaming, and streamimg royalties are very small, do you think the music industry is literally drying up since there's no money greasing the wheels? I'm down to make an online outlet for Rnb performances. Let's put our heads together!
Exactly! No church grooming! No soul!
Every 10 years a genre of music RISES AND SOME genres DIE out in the mainstream scene...couple of years later it happens again....that's what always happens...and it will continue happen....
The cursive ACCENT singing was started by indie alternative rnb artists and Sza...now all these girls are doing it and its gotten so redundant....if u think about it Erykah Badu is the God mother of cursive singing but the thing is she is an actually gifted vocalist so it comes across unique and effortless even though she's clearly putting on an accent...
True and the first example that comes to mind is Khalid's Location song.
You need to do a "Strong Male R&B" act video. Like you had Jaheim, Johnny Gill, Christopher Williams, Joe, Tevin Campbell, Eric Bennet, and groups like Tone Toni Tony, Boys to Men, and such. As for performance shows I miss the Arsenio Hall Show which gave the best sound. Even the Chris Rock Show and the Dave Chappell Show was the thing for R&B and Hip Hop.
I need to caught up on the other 19 episodes. And I really want to see Maxwell.
The singing in cursive thing is soooooo real though. Its so annoying
Examples? Like is SZA an example?
Lami Onifade My wife always says it sounds like SZA is whining when she sings. I don’t really mind it but it grates on her nerves.
@@meriani777 Don't start me with sza 😩😩😩
Cursive how can u sing in cursive 😂😂😂😂
THANK YOU. I so agree with you about the cursive singing. I think a lot of the young acts are too concerned with creating “a vibe” or “an aesthetic.” And while a lot of the songs are very relaxing and mellow...it puts me to sleep! And they all sound the same! 🙄
I agree with a lot of what you said Calvin especially the part about bringing back music platform shows like 106&Park and even Video Soul. Urban artists need that especially the R&b artists.
India Arie new song "That Magic". India Arie is consistent.
Angb Rwill I was gonna say this! 💕
I just heard this for the first time the other day... Love it!!
That song is amazing.
You need to be an A&R. I watched this entire video, all of your videos, and you know what you’re talking about.
Yassssssssssssssss.....i love when you drop the music knowledge on us!!!! And the reason I have extended cable is for vh1 soul😉
TLC are the G.O.A.T. ...CrazySexyCool ...classic...you can do the same with Brandy's 1st album and "Never-say-never" and Aaliyah with "one in million" and her last album as well.
I've gotten so much of an education on the history of r&b music/industry from you! I've discovered so much music. Especially your twitter thread on underrated r&b jams.
When you talk about producer's not knowing what to do with singer's with larger than life voices I thought of Jennifer Hudson. She has one of the best voices but besides dream girl's she didn't get much recognition. Her solo career didn't take off for a numerous if reasons.
I do like H.E.R. I think she might be around for a minute. Focus was an ear catcher.
another thing no one makes good bridges anymore! I love a good bridge. Anyway, I am thankful for the non-mainstream artists who don't go with the trends. It's sad that the people in the forefront are not good representatives of the genre.
Yaaayyyy love this series
Before #MichaelJackson passed away, I remember this one video where Michael Jackson was talking with his friend, and he was saying Music is not the same anymore. Because some artists put out a full album or like 7 or 8 songs and it was only one or two songs on there that was a banger and the rest of the album was dull. But back in the days you had to have a full album to be a banger for people to buy it. Here's the link to that video. th-cam.com/video/FxlU2vNsYH0/w-d-xo.html Another thing is the young generation don't care about an whole album, nor do they have the capacity to sit and listen to a 10 or 12 song album. They want a single every minute on the minute and that is what streaming is. I remember #ChrisBrown just came out with a 16 song album and not everyone listened to all 16 songs and only 2 songs was actually okay. The rest of the album was trash in my OPINION.
Last thing, im keeping my eyes on normani. She could be the next big thing and shes releasing an rnb album next year. She might be what this industry and rnb needs. Just hope they dont hypersexualize her
SORRY FOR SPAMMING YOUR COMMENT SECTION. i loved this video.
Yeah you heard wave ft 6lack? It's a real bop.
None of the music she's releasing is really rnb.....its just contemporary urban music....
@@nielsenmakaba5777 yeah those are songs to test the waters. She siad her main focus was rnb
Same, there are clips of her album being made with uptempo NOLA sounds (e.g. Big Freedia, marching bands, etc.) I’m very excited to see what she brings to the table.
@@Lordpraisethe her lead single she just dropped with 6lack is not rnb either.....if she really wants to do rnb music she should stop dropping songs that don't fit in the genre because she will just confuse her target audience.....
Yes! I’ve been dying for you to post a new video about R&B. Glad to see you done one.
Mainstream r&b isn’t as great probably because they aren’t real instruments involved... #PrinceWasRight
I'm listening to Masego. Jazz Trap he's so talented watch Navajo on The Colors channel. You would keep him on the playlist
im sooo ready for new music from Jill Jazmine nd Fantasia hopefully they do something in 2019!!
Sunny Gordon I wanna hear some new stuff from Jazmine. I was lie, “Okay, cool” when I listened to like two of her songs, but I fell in love when I finally listened to “In Love With Another Man” 😍😍😍
Where are the VOICES?!?? That's the real question. Back in the day, we had the likes of Mary, Faith, Patti, Luther, Whitney, Mariah, Brandy, Monica and TLC. People were actually singing and harmonizing and they had distinctive voices. We have people like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, but what are they doing now??
Beyonce is too busy trying to rap and Christina's music hasn't been interesting since 2007.
I don't think r&b is dead, it's changing and when it re-emerges in the mainstream it won't be the same old r&b as we know it.
I love your R&B is dead series! You're always vocalizing my exact thoughts on the current state of music. The music isn't bad, it just needs improvement, creativity and effort!
GOAT of “in your face” slow jam has to be Brian McKnight- Anytime. Catching your ear with the beat, slow build, emotional melody and the vocals 😩ugh!!!!!
Calvin, I watch BET Soul and Sub Soul. My 10 year old daughter likes some R&B but I don't know what to play for her to take her over into loving R&B the way I do. I feel like I can't raise her the way I was raised. My parents and I loved listening to music together. I went to school dances knowing all the words and latest dances but now, I feel like there is a disconnect with me and the music now. R&B now is synthesized and too oversexed for me to feel comfortable letting my daughter listen to it. I don't know what to do. Sorry about my rant but I'm literally disappointed in my favorite genre of music right now.
@PurelyAfrican Yes, she does like that, "Boo'd up" song. Your right, the older stuff is the only thing that's age appropriate. I miss when people sang about sex and adult situations but the lyrics were innuendos and metaphors. Today they are just cussing and being raunchy.
angelti23 welp do what my parents did. Put on a playlist from music you and your parents listened to. My mother has the best Taste in soul, r&b and hip hop. She cleaned the house jamming to Luther Vandross, Boyz 2 Men, Destiny’s Child, Phil Perry, Usher and Monica, Tupac. And keep in mind, she’s a baby boomer. Nonetheless, put her daughter on to the old school. She’ll appreciate it as she gets older
@@AyeishaN0Curry Yes, I think that's what I'm going to have to do. I just don't want her to feel left behind. When we went home for Thanksgiving, all of the kids in our family (two of them slightly younger than her BTW) knew all the words to Cardi B's whole album. But then again. My cousin said she doesn't care if her daughters listen to lyrics promoting sex and gang violence though.
Yeah, put her on that old school. This soul-less music today seems manufactured too lead our kids to depression and suicide. I could be paranoid tho 🤔
@@BrothaJ365 If you're paranoid then so am I. I don't like negative lyrics in my spirit let alone hers.
@31:36 YES!!! Acts aren't using vocal range. They literally sing btwn 4 notes ... that's bc of the overlap btwn rap and r&b .. singers trying to be accepted by rap enthusiasts and rappers trying to grab neglected r&b fans ... also, the great point of THE LACK OF R&B PRODUCERS smh BRING BRIDGES BACK!!! Mainstream songs are so linear and derivative - they stay in one place vocally, musically
Calvin, thank you for talking about Rich Harrison and the way all his songs built up as they went along!!! He's one of my favorite producers of all time and I wish he would come back cuz ALL his songs were GOLD, especially the ones he made with Amerie. Congrats on another great episode, too many great points being made as always...
Sign and Me, Myself, and I was my favorite songs on the album and my favorite songs from her catalogue.
Usher, prince of r&b, really decided to drop a TRAP album. That darn “r&b”-trap sound :/
Another thing, too (and you touched on this in a previous episode), in the 90s, there were so many TYPES of rnb in the mainstream. Subgenres were trending (new jack swing, balladeers, slow jams), but there was a variety we could choose from. Now, whatever little mainstream rnb that does squeeze through rides on the same sound....Also Jlo's "Get Right" was Usher's song first...but that's a whole nother story lol
I agree with you 100%!!! I meant to comment last night. Yes, R&B needs multiple sounds. And I agree with you on the lack of "In Your Face" Songs. The Introduction of a song really sets the tone. Like MAZE & Frankie Beverly with "Before I Let Go" OR the Drum Combination in the intro of Cherrelle's "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On". I can keep going on great examples!
The dislike for Beyonce mainly came from her daddy oversaturating her in the media. SHE WAS EVERYWHERE ALL OF THE TIME! People got burned out on her quickly--including me--back in 2002-2003.
I liked Crazy in Love, but nothing else to date. To me The Carter's was just awful.
Tessie Dobey eh. The song was ok. Yes, Signs and Gift from Virgo were 🔥
"Can we please use another octave? No we're not, we're gonna stay right heeerrre.." That right there, sir, left me dead on the side of the road!😂 I love you! Can't stand the lazy vocals these artists are creating nowadays.
I want to like Ella Mai but sometimes she sings in loops too much. I don't want you to do that just belt that song out girl!
Her voice gets old
My problem with her is she sings in the same octave the whole song. There's no range to her voice.
Yeah her delivery is a bit too safe at times.
Chance Ussery like Alicia Keys? 👀
Alicia used to have range and could belt! I watch her performance of "How Come You Don't Call Me" from the Lady of Soul Awards in 2001 and wonder how her voice declined so quickly.
Your personality and commentary is contagious! New follower here!
Calvin Michaels thank you for this series! When I saw the very 1st Series and you were playing great 90's R&B music it was cool
You are so on point Calvin! These are things that I thought about since I was a teen (I'm 30) but I couldn't really discuss them with my peers because majority of them don't care to do deep analysis of the downfall and changes of R&B
Luckily I can discuss it with my brother because we're both huge music history heads :)
You are right.. the intro to the song hooked you in as a listener!
Jaheim- Could it Be
Deborah Cox- How Did You Get Here
Faith Evans- Love Like This
Or remember when artists just jumped in the song like 112- It’s over now then the beat dropped🔥🔥
Can you please make one about R&B Duets, please?!?!
Yes to all of these classics!!!
True, I'm a huge Beyonce fan and my all time favourite cuts are Yes, Kitty Kat, Be With You, 1+1, I Care, Dance for you, schoolin life, Rocket, Superpower , Wake Up (which got leaked in August) and most of the non singles. The hits are cool but these songs just get me in my feels.
You bringing up these songs had me pausing to get a little dose of these songs again. Love love love R&B. And you too. 😊
You're killing me with the "stay in one key" rnb singer 😄!
I swear I can sit and listen to you discuss music all day. Dope bro.
Ari lennox - whipped cream
NAO ' ADORE
Finally I never clipped so fast 😂
Truth seeker 18 so excited 💯🔥🔥🔥
When I was in college, they used to have R&B karaoke every semester and I would always sing tevin campbell songs with my sister (we DO have the range lol)
Shout out to Normani - Waves. And Sevyn Streeter is a queen. I still think people don't respect her due to colorism. All her music is great. She is a singer a writer and a dancer. Love her. And my favorite Beyonce songs are : me myself and I, disappear, Hollywood, work it out, green light. I like it when she attaches herself to funky sounds. If there is a band, even better. I still think BDay was a great all around album. I don't really care for what she puts out now. I don't really feel anything. It's cool but I get tired quick. And as far as men singing today, rappers always want to be singers. The singers want to be rappers and today we have found an unhappy medium of rap singer (monotone singer).
Omg yessss you’re so right about this singing with accents shenanigans going on. I peeped that out awhile ago. Case in point, I like alittle bit of SZA’s songs, but she is the Queen of doing this. I had to google her bio to see where she was from. Also Kehlani I don’t matter how hard I try to listen to her, but it’s something with her voice that hurts my ears😫. Anyways great video as usual👍🏽!!!
Great video! I love how you broke it down on how R&B used to me and how artists aren’t selling their albums. I wanted to ask, if they are not making as much sales in physical copies, then how are they able to get their album to #1 on Billboard charts? And R&B charts if that is still around. I’m very curious about it since technology is taking over a lot of things. And when you mentions about artists used to do behind the scenes for their albums and music videos, I remember watching those as a kid in the early 2000s. Now a days it’s like they either taking that making endorsement deals with Netflix or another streaming network.
Also you're exactly right about what shows like TRL and "Behind the Scenes" themed shows did for artists success. It helped us feel more connected to them and helped build anticipation for their new video/single/album! TV producers have really fallen off and gotten less creative
I agree 1000%. R&B has no initiative anymore, and with this streaming (thanks for bringing that up cuz I always say it doesn't equate success at all with an album) and no great producers anymore, R&B will continue to be on life support.
Also, I've also noticed two names. Adele and Taylor Swift, who can still manage to sell physical albums. Why? Cuz they don't automatically give their albums to streaming platforms. They sold all those albums cuz they hustled their work and make people aware of it and didn't send it off to streaming platforms right away until about 7-8 months later. I think that's how all acts should go forward with stuff. Make people want to go out and buy albums again.
Been watching this series since Part 1! I love it! Keep up the great work!!
R&B, Hip Hop and even Country music is dead. When you can auto-tune a country western tune, that's how you know that corporate driven music is nothing but garbage. The payola factor has gotten even WORSE. When Teddy Riley has been reduced to a victim on "American Greed" last year, that's when you know that pop music is driven by money. The last newest person we had was Skye Dakota Turner - who Calvin introduced to us!
Calvin, you know a lot about music!! Much respect
My suggestion... H.E.R. She sings, has a distinct sound and flow from what's out now, has stage presence (but has some improvements to make in that area) , plays instruments. Check her out
Yes! Exactly! I noticed that pattern too about R&B albums: Tracks 1-9: SECULAR!; Track 10 at the end: GOSPEL! Used to kill me every time! LOL
@calvin michaels, i think with R&B just like recently with hip hop, they want the commercial faces for the genre to be more racially ambiguous and white, as well as performers who are connected to social media. That explains why queen ninja was able to blow up before seyven with her lighter skin tone and huge youtube following play a part. I mean it literally took janelle monae to star in hidden figures and moonlight for folks to take her seriously outside of her covergirl endorsement deal
What are your takes on the singer "H.E.R."??
I miss how music did draw you in like you said....music used tell a story or could relate to them.
I don't really consider something being mainstream as criteria for it being alive or not. R&B isn't dead there are many R&B artists out there in the music scene rn such as Masego, St. Beauty, Danial Cesar, SZA, Gallant ect. the genre is moving toward a new sound Alternative/Indie Moody R&B I think ppl are too concerned with something being mainstream/super popular rather than the actual quality of the music.
I agree
Your commentary is always seamless. I just nod my head. Lol
i'm curious as to how you'd feel about the kpop industry. artists tend to favor shorter albums (EPs) in order to keep interest as there's an over-saturation of kpop groups and the occasional full albums that are usually about ~9 songs but also continuous live performances on music shows with vocals and full out choreography, fan chants, etc. not to even mention the constant concept changes per album, a set aesthetic for each era, genre switches, the whole 9 yards. you can never get bored of kpop because there's always something new
I love SZA, H.E.R. the rest of them I can do without. Now Fantasia I’m still stuck on her. She in my opinion is the best
The monotonous segment just had me keep hearing "Bueller, Bueller"! Lol.
Raymond Brown lmao. You mark my words, they’ll make a remake. Hollywood is running out of ideas
Raymond Brown me too! I had me hollering 😂
Dudes done his research
I’m almost convinced witchcraft was involved in 2 songs on Faith’s debut album, You Used to Love Me and No Other Love. Once the beat dropped, entranced! 🤔 or maybe Ancestors were involved. Anyways outstanding post!!
"Hit the freeway" 😂😂😂I use to fast forward on my VHS tape to get to "Gimme The Light". It's was too chill...for the energy of that time.
Age 14? I think I read an article a few years ago that said it was 30. That fit more with me. I was all into the music I grew up with in the 80s, the music of my teens in the 90s (the best era), I still hung on in my 20s in the 2000s but it was during this period that to me R&B was getting to be all slow songs and about sex blatantly and about 2006 or 2007 it didn't catch my ear anymore. I liked the pop sounds, the electronic dance music 2008 to about 2010 and by that time I was 31... fewer songs started flowing in that I liked. Hip Hop turned terrible with the sprinkler beats and mumbling and it remains the same today. When is that style changing? NJS had evolved by this point in time as far as trap goes. I get introduced to new songs today by commercials and my friend's 7 year old playing Fortnite. All the big R&B artists seem to be on a hiatus right now. Beyoncé is all Jay-Z and social commentary. Where is Justin? Where's Usher? Are they all old now?
You had me laughing not singing in another octave. I am also annoyed they're all tenors who sound exactly alike. Lou Rawls could never have made it today. Oh yeah it's 3 years later and it's still the same!!!
Would Khalid's Location song be an example of singing in Cursive?
I forget how well you sing until you (kablam!) the rifts from these songs. R&B dies when the musician/producer aims a song to hop in more than one genre. Sustainability is key; for example, Toni Braxton's 'long as i live' is 2019 grammy nominated as it has her 90's formula. Class lasts.
Oh, and the CDs with 7-9 tracks cater to ppl's short attention span.
Did you ever get into neo soul? I was and not a fan of how R&B don't actually phase into my adult years like my parents had it in the 50-70's. Grew up on the greats and many 90's artists tried, but I still feel in late 2018 that neo soul, even though the younger generation doesn't listen as much. Might actually change the course of R&B
Can you also do a mini series on what happened to pop music? I love to see your take on what happened & knowledge about pop artists. It seems now that pop music is just all about trap music music or kpop. People like Cardi B, 6ix9ine, 21 savage, lil baby, migos, future, etc. Trap music has become pop music. Even people like Taylor swift who had done country music in the past went from pop music into trap music & now she even has a song with future. I would like to know more about each pop music cycle. We had Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Jessica Simpson, backstreet boys, NSYNC, etc doing rnb music known as teen pop up until 2008/09 with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj & Kesha doing their own pop music with rihanna & Kelly Rowland doing the euro pop sound until 2012 having chief keef who started the trap music trend & ever since then pop music has never been the same. We may had a couple of one hit wonders but no pop music cultural impact artist like we did up until the early 2010s. It just seems that in 2018 the only music that is getting the most attention is either trap music or kpop which is cool. I respect & appreciate all types of music but I kind of miss the little musical diversity we had such as pop, rnb, hip hop, rock, dance, euro pop and even country. Heck, Taylor swift help made country music mainstream for a little while. Sorry for the little rant but there’s my two cents. Lol 😸
Agree, the 90s was the most diverse artists that we have.
As a musician I think of music as seasons, a genre emerges, gets it's day in the sun, then fades away. Elements of rnb still show up in a lot of genres, even if the distinct sound is gone. I'm excited to see what genre will emerge next. I've always been in love with chords, progressions, rhythms, etc. For me, the genre is a container, some really different sounding stuff coming out. Interesting times.
I believe they were called the Hitmen...j.dub and stevie j. I hope you do more of these videos!
Sam J dark-child, Dianne Warren, Pharrell “Old Black” Williams
I loved this video so much you are very smart and intelligent
Im literally taking notes as i watch this video because im a singer/song writter (well aspiring too be) and i promise you when i release one of my songs its gonna huge aha
And i was born in 2001 and i talk to my mother all the time about how all music these days sound the same and how music should of evolved into somthing better it seems like since 2011 or maybe 2012 whoever is in charge of the generally sound said "fuck it give it to the wolves or something" like i have a vision of what music should have sounded like if music would have properly evolved from the 90s but it didn't thats why i listen to kpop and old music because alot of the music has that "WoW" factor
Im hoping i can bring back when music made people really..REALLY feel y'know? Like real talent i wanna being back the real stuff
And we really need to bring back those types of music shows
Recommendations for late comers to this video (like me)
Flowerchile "Forever"
Vocal prowess
Kenny Pahina " Are You Still in Love"
Early 2000s sound
Vitamin Cea "Cea Ya L8r"
Rap/Poetry with an r&b vibe
Baby Boy Keith "Missing You Like Friday"
Very late 90s vibes
All here on youtube
Jay z said all this in his song moonlight....we rocking the same flow idk who is who
Jay Z be on it, just as in his track “Death of Autotune”. 👍🏾
@@BrothaJ365 yup everyone trying to be popular instead of innovative
There's some newer R&B artists that I really enjoy like Ro James, Daley and Kevin Ross, BUT a lot of this current generation sounds too much alike and don't have enough personality or charisma.
As far as that BIG sound on the first single, I think The Weeknd and Bruno Mars have done a good job with that this decade. Songs like "Starboy" and "24K Magic" still get burn at the house and the ride.
When are we getting a part 21 for 2019!?
Tonte Awanen going to be doing a live version either Weds or Thursday :)
That's a deep message about the black and white piano keys. Did not really think about the black church influence and vocals and musical training.
No, I'm sorry, it's still dead. They're still serving Kraft while I'm waiting for homemade mac n' cheese.
Track masters was the in house production for bad boy during the 90's
What about when talent mattered over looks? Too many artist was being pushed, not so much for their talent but their looks.
Anderson .Paak is amazing!!!
I saw him for the first time the other day on Trevor Noah's show.... He was really good!
Tonia682 You gotta check out his Tiny Desk concert or his pre-Grammys show. Dude shows out!
@@trumpetking11 I will definitely do that... Thanks!
Boy is bad!
Another reason why there aren't any closeness with today artists is the increasing of social media. Even though social media is good way to introduce your work to the world, but there isn't a real interaction. Sometime behind the profile is the artist's publicist who has to promote the artist's content to get more fans and keep the fans satisfy. I have always said the music no-a-days doesn't have a great style of being unique and different. Everything sounds the same with both genres of music; hip-hop and rnb. I give J. Cole his respect because he doesn't use the same rhythmic sound or beat in all of his songs even Childish Gambino. However, my generation is so transfix with the beat of the song and not actually paying attention to the sound or creativity. Most of them are trying to be rappers, but not understanding you can't have the same style like a Lil Wayne or Lil pump (roll eyes)- bring something different to the table. However, they also see dollar signs as well because how much mainstream most of the boring, non-unique, and not so creative music artists are making (they aren't making much yearly).
The music specials was lit back in the day
Praise & worship (Gospel & Christian) music never dies but all this secular garbage will that's why every couple of years there a new genre buried and another one gaining popularity. It's all overhyped trash music now on the radio only reason people like it is because they play it over and over again till it get stuck in your head but when you listen to the song a couple of years later your like what was i thinking.