R&B
Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Music
| Stands for | Rhythm and blues |
|---|---|
| Categories | Arts & Entertainment |
R&B stands for Rhythm and blues, a music abbreviation.
Genre of African American popular music that began in the 1940s, blending blues, jazz and gospel; today the term mostly refers to contemporary R&B, a smooth, vocal-centered style influenced by soul, funk, pop and hip-hop.
Example: Her new single topped the R&B charts and crossed over to pop radio.
Usage notes
Billboard writer Jerry Wexler suggested "Rhythm & Blues" to replace the chart name "Race Records" in 1949. The genre fed directly into rock and roll and soul. Pronounced "R and B"; written R&B or RnB, never "R & B" with spaces in most style guides.