is R&B dead?

On Overview On Classic and Modern Music Taste

Well… Here we are again guys! Another week of Teatime in ShadyBrooke … and let’s just say the celebrities must have heard about my arrival to the team, because they are as quiet as a hooker in church. But never fear! I’m here to have a nice long talk about my favorite subject….Music! So let’s get this party started. Let’s go back to earlier in the week, where I just so happen to be on Twitter doing my usual “rounds” and interesting enough the question “Is R&B Dead” was being answered by just about EVERYONE I followed. Of course I had to put my two cents in. I don’t know about y’all… but when I hear R&B music I automatically feel at ease. Sometimes I just sit around in my room and log onto Spotify and jam like there is no tomorrow. Being a part of the generation I was born in, I was ALWAYS told that I was an “old soul”, which was something I have grown to live with. For example, I rarely listen to trap music. “Trap Music” (in MY opinion) is mainly about living a dangerous lifestyle full of drugs, sex, and violence. Although I listen to these songs on certain occasions (WHEN THE TURN UP IS REAL), I never could relate to the words. This is when I turned to a few friends for answers and got the same response, “I don’t listen to R&B music because it talks about feelings and love too much.” We live in a time where showing any emotion other than anger is a sign of weakness. In other words, you can’t show how much you really care about someone without being a target for jokes or malicious talk from others. But what our generation fails to realize is that “love” is one of the most magical feelings you can have and R&B music is the greatest way to feel that magic. When we get old, we are going to slowly forget the memories of “trapping”, but the memories of love (lost and gained) will stay forever. Another thing this generation fails to realize is that R&B music talks about more than love. Believe me, there is a song written for just about EVERY emotion. They even have songs about being petty. Ask Jazmine Sullivan… she wrote a song about busting windows out her dude car.

So… to answer the question: “Is R&B Dead?” No, its not, because feelings will never die!! As long as there are feelings (no matter how hard we try to hide them) R&B music will never die. I encourage you ALL to listen (or at least try) to R&B music. Here are a few of my favorites to get you started:

Old School:

Anita Baker: My affair with Anita Baker started two years ago and let me say this *lights cigarette*…. It’s been nothing but passion and pleasure ever since. If you are ever in the mood to scream how in love you are, Ms. Baker will be there to help you. • Song Suggestions: o “Sweet Love” o “Mystery” o “Giving You The Best That I Got” o “You’re The Best Thing Yet”

Luther Vandross: “LOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG AGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOO” there was man named Luther Vandross who could sing about a chair and have you crying for two hours!! Mr. Vandross sung songs about many genres, from “losing his baby” to sneaking out the window for a party. He will forever be missed. • Song Suggestions: o “Since I Lost My Baby” o “Creep” o “If Only For One Night” o “If This World Were Mine”

Toni Braxton: THE QUEEN OF ARISTA!!!! You may have heard about her after her hit biopic “Unbreak My Heart” which premired a few months ago. Toni Braxton has had her share of love and heartbreak and she gives a glipse of it in each of her songs. And don’t let her team up with BabyFace… IT WILL GET REAL!!!!! Ms. Braxton has song for every single mood and occasion. • Song Suggestions o Just listen to all of her albums (I own them all) Janet Jackson: JANET DAMITA JO JACKSON (MS. JACKSON IF YOUR NASTY)!!! Before Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, Janet Jackson was one of the first “woke” artist in music. Her album “Rhythm Nation 1814” talks about poverty, illiteracy, and racism (which are all still major problems almost 30 years later). Also, she is one of the first female artists to talk about sex and not hide her sexiness. In my opinion she is a legend. (I own all her albums too) • Song Suggestions o “That’s The Way Love Goes” o “Rhythm Nation” o “Anytime, Anyplace” o “I Get Lonely” DeBarge: Probably one of the most overlooked group of all time. This family group has had many hits on love. Although, many of the groups members have taken the wrong turns in life, their music will forever hold a special place in my heart. • Song Suggestions o “Who’s Holding Donna Now” o “Love Me In A Special Way” o “Rhythm of The Night” o “I Like It”

NEW SCHOOL:

K. Michelle: Y’all have seen her on Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta…. So yall know that what she say is going to be real and honest. I may not like her many beefs with celebrities but her music is so real and raw I am willing to overlook it. • Song Suggestions: o “V.S.O.P.” o “Hard To Do” o “Miss You, Goodbye” o “Maybe I Should Call” Tamar Braxton: The Hardest Working Woman in America. Television Host, Songwriter, Singer, Reality Star, Wife, and Mother. Not to mention she Toni Braxton little sister!! Listen to her and you will say *in Tamar Voice* “YAAAAAAASSSSSS GAWD!!!” • Song Suggestions o “Love and War” o “Never” o “If You Don’t Wanna Love Me” o “Raise The Bar” Twenty 88: This a very recent group formed by Big Sean and Jhene Aiko. I know what your thinking… “How Is Big Sean a part of R&B?” Go listen to their new album and find out!!! First off, Big Sean is speaking lyrical gold in every verse that he raps. Second, Jhene Aiko is the only woman other than Hillary Clinton that can turn me on just by speaking… but that’s another story for another day. • Song Suggestions: o “Two Minute Warning” o “Talk Show” o “London Bridge” o “Memories Faded”

So there you go readers.. Another wonderful chat in ShadyBrooke!!!! Til’ next time and remember “Spread nothing but peace, love, and shade!”