Where r&b comes from
Rhythm and blues began as a marketing term in late-1940s America for Black popular music. It grew through soul and Motown into the slick 1990s productions of Babyface and Jodeci, and later the minimal, atmospheric R&B of the 2010s.
What makes a track sound like r&b
- Lush harmony that rewards headphones
- Soft transients and warm low end
- Space for vocal runs
- Half-time hi-hats in modern takes
Typical structure
Verse, pre-chorus, chorus in a pop shape, with a bridge that often modulates or strips back.
Vocals in r&b
R&B is a singer’s genre: smooth lead vocals with runs, stacked harmonies and an intimate, close-miked sound. Ask for "silky lead vocals with gospel-style runs" and give the chorus a long, open note.
Prompting tips
Specify "90s R&B" for groove-heavy tracks with swing, or "alternative R&B" for dark, spacious, reverb-heavy production.
R&B can tip into generic pop if the chords are simple triads. Ask for 9th chords or gospel passing chords.
Prompts to start from
Smooth 90s R&B instrumental at 88 BPM, swinging drums, Rhodes 9th chords, deep bass, finger snaps
Dark alternative R&B, slow 68 BPM, spacious reverb, sub bass, soft hi-hats, airy synth pad and a distant guitar
Romantic R&B ballad with gospel piano chords, warm strings and a gentle groove, room for a lead vocal