Rhythm & Balance

Did Young M.A.’s tweets about R&B highlight a bigger issue?

**Header photo: Johnny Nunez—WireImage

Two weeks ago, Rapper Young M.A. caused a rumble on the internet with her take on the state of R&B music and her perceived imbalance in the music industry. With a take like that, many fans and artists chimed in. PJ Morton, 6lack, and others felt like it was lazy and a short-sighted POV. Here are my two cents.

On the surface level, you’d assume that it doesn’t land since R&B is in a better space than in years past. Summer Walker, H.E.R., Ari Lennox, Snoh Aalegra, Sir, Jhene Aiko, and countless others are making their marks in the current landscape of music. R&B is charting and pushing numbers in the streaming era. “So, Young M.A. is wrong. She doesn't know what she is talking about.” Slow down, my truth in what she is saying lies in the second half of the tweet.

There is big business in nostalgia in today’s marketplace. Nostalgia is something that all mediums are dealing with. R&B provides a balance in the music landscape compared to the more prominent genres like Hip-Hop (specifically Trap and Trill). R&B has evolved over the years and fused with its Hip-Hop counterpart. In terms of content, one could argue that R&B has become more introverted compared to the declarations and emotions of love in years past. Let’s revisit the balance argument. Many would point out that the top sub-genre in R&B is Alternative R&B. Again not a bad thing, but too much of a singular sound can make the genre appear to be a one-trick pony, even if it's not.

Which brings me to my next point:

Can you honestly say that you are aware of the new R&B acts when they drop? Probably not, and if you say that you do then you are lying. There is so much music out there that it is easy to miss. Unless they have a viral hit from social media, major backing from a label, or have their song on a featured Spotify or Apple Music playlist, you can easily miss them. At peak popularity, all of the sub-genres of R&B were reported and showcased just as much as their counterparts. There were many outlets but now there are fewer. We as fans/consumers have a role by championing these individuals and projects. Word of mouth is still the best way to get the message out.  For every Chris Brown or Ella Mai there is a Daley or JMSN that needs shine as well.

Balance.