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IS R&B MUSIC DEAD?!
Well, that is according to Sean ‘Love’ Combs aka P. Diddy. Recently the Bad Boy, Ciroc Boy, and Mr. “Take That, Take That” declared that Rhythm and Blues is dead on social media. This proclamation about the survival and current state of R&B music set off a firestorm amongst R&B Crooners including Usher and Chris Brown. If I may add my two cents to this debate, I’d tell Diddy to go see The O’jays, Gladys Knight, and El Debarge in concert. I recently attended a show and my perspective might change your mind.
The Winning Formula for R&B
I may disagree with P. Diddy about R&B Music being dead, however, I will submit that what has been increasingly missing from the music genre is live music, showmanship, and singing love songs at the top of “our” lungs. The reason why millions of fans pack stadiums and arenas for an R&B concert is that as fans, we know we are going to be entertained. At least that still exists with artists and groups from the “Old Skool”; And on this Saturday night in the DMV at the “Last Stop On The Love Train The Final Tour”, The Ojays reminded fans of that. Before even taking the stage, the band had set the precedence by opening with a good, classic jam session.
Have you ever just witnessed a 10-minute groove where all the instruments are just jammin’ in unison? The 5 piece horn session is dancing and blowing their asses off. The electric and base guitarists are in a zone where their eyes are closed and even though we are in the first 10 minutes, already you can see the beads of sweat on their brows. Similarly, they gave the drummer another pair of drumsticks after he “drummed” his way through the first set. THIS IS R&B!!!
Today’s Artists Come with Limits, Unlike the O’Jays Music Generation
This is why we love it so much!!! And this is what is missing!!! No offense, but only a hand full of R&B artists of today get it when it comes to performing live with a band, no tracks, and really singing without additional assistance. These ‘youngins’ should be ashamed of themselves. If pops and unc can dance, sing and give a performance for over an hour, these millennial and Gen Z artists have no excuse for getting winded while simply standing still. I guess that’s what makes groups and bands like The O’Jays legendary.
My Saturday night along with thousands of others in attendance was a magical display of R&B music at its best. Walter and Gladys’ voices are as strong as when they made their debut on the Rhythm and Blues scene in the 60s. Let’s not even talk about the dance moves. Eddie’s replacement, Eric, and Walter moved with precision and coordination to match their matching Red Suits. No one missed a step or a beat as they two-stepped to their classic hits like “Love Train” and “For The Love of Money”. And when they did take a breather, it was only to give the fans nostalgic love ballads like “Cry Together” and “Forever Mine”.
Gladys Knight also brought the house down with her sultry voice that continues to captivate half a century later. Ms. Gladys may not have been dancing all around the floor, but with a voice like that, there is no need. The Audience became her Pips and knew every step as she sang songs like “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “If I Were Your Woman”. The entire arena sang like this was their private shower and Gladys Knight showed why she is considered the Empress of Soul Music.
Despite putting on one of the best shows in 2022 that felt organic, it was a little bittersweet. The O’jays announced that this would be their final tour after 60 years. As for Ms. Gladys, we don’t know how many more tours she has left in her. So, while I don’t agree with Diddy that R&B Music is dead, I will say that live music is what’s in jeopardy.
Legendary artists are legendary because they are entertainers. Studio artists may top the charts, but they don’t bring out an audience that fills arenas, and if you want longevity in any musical space, you best learn to do something more than just use Fruity Loops and a beat machine. As we continue to lose our memorable musical artists to retirement and unfortunate circumstances, we wonder who will pick up the baton and continue to preserve a musical genre that is starving for the next generation of entertainment.
