Genres of the 1970s, and 80s

The genre I'm going to be choosing is Contemporary R&B. This is one of my favourite of many genres I listen too. There were a lot of Contemporary R&B artists especially in the 1980s. These artists include:

• Michael Jackson
• Whitney Houston
• The S.O.S. Band
• Prince
• Stevie Wonder
• Kool and the Gang
• Marvin Gaye
• Earth, Wind & Fire

Two huge songs then by some of these artists were:

This is 'Get Down On It' by Kool and the Gang which was released in 1981 on their album 'Something Special'. 

The other song by one of these artists I've mentioned is:

This is 'Sexual Healing' by Marvin Gaye which was released in 1982 on his album 'Midnight Love'.

Contemporary R&B consists Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Soul, Funk and Hip Hop. It came around mainly after the Disco era was dying. During this time, producers then started putting synthesisers and slick drum machines on African-American beats. Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston were one of the first artists to go with it, then musicians like Luther Vandross, The S.O.S. Band, Marvin Gaye and many more carried it on. Most artists in this genre would base their songs on their love life and/or interest. So this means making the tempo slow if it were a sad song or speeding up the tempo a bit if it were a happy song, celebrating their relationship. This genre was then brought into the 1990s, gaining artists like:

• Aaliyah
• Brandy
• TLC
• Faith Evans
• Boyz II Men

Contemporary R&B still carries on today.

Case Study of an Artist

MICHAEL JACKSON

In 1964, Michael Jackson and Marlon Jackson (his brother) joined the Jackson Brothers - a band formed by their father and which included brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine Jackson. In 1965, Jackson began sharing lead vocals with his older brother Jermaine, and the group's name was changed to The Jackson 5.

Michael Jackson then became a solo artist and his genres included:

• Pop
• Rock
• Soul
• R&B
• Funk
• Disco
• New Jack Swing

He also used to make up his songs from head. The clever and talented musician then beat-boxed his ideas to the different producers who he worked with and his ideas led to being Number #1 on Billboard Charts.

Michael Jackson was also famous for his legendary dance, The Moonwalk.

Michael Jackson has influenced American Singer Chris Brown. His single "She Ain't You" off his album 'F.A.M.E' samples "Human Nature" by Michael Jackson. He also uses his dance moves. Its a tribute.

Cultural, Political and Social movements in the 1960s

This post is about one of the main social, political and cultural movements that took place in the 1960s.

One of the major movements in the 1960s was racism. A lot changed when it came to racism, especially in music. Music created by people of colour was invented way before but this was the decade that it boosted, which resulted in the famous Elvis to "Support" black music. Elvis, like many other white musicians of this particular time, has been accused of stealing elements of black music and selling it as his own.

A lot happened during this decade. These include:

• The Anti-War Movement
• Second Wave Feminist
• The Black Civil Rights Movement

One genre of music which has been influenced by the Black Civil Rights movement is Rap. Another genre is Hip-Hop. Many rappers, especially in the 1990s used to rap about racism. One of these artists is Tupac.