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Christian R&B

Christian R&B is a genre of music that combines Rhythm and Blues instrumentals with Christian-based lyrics or lyrics that inspire, uplift, and give a Christian perspective on certain issues. Recently there has been an emergence of Christian artists who choose to take a non-traditional approach to their music. Unfortunately, these artists receive a lot of criticism by many of their listeners because of it. On the flip side, these artists gain a younger audience and become more popular with those who do not neccessarily like or listen to Gospel/ Christian music. This list of artists include Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and Erica Campbell, Kierra Sheard, Mali Music, Johnathan McReynolds, Tye Tribbett and so many more.

Many Christian or Gospel artists have also been using well known R&B lyrics and incorporating them into new songs. They also either use a well known R&B beat or change the lyrics of a well known R&B song by changing a few words to make them talk about God. For example, Trey Mclaughlin and the Sounds of Zamar is an outstanding Christian group, whom in my opinion do not receive the credit or popularity they deserve. They recently in responce to the tragic news of Prince’s death took his song “I Would Die 4 U” and rearranged it to say “Jesus died for you”.

Here are some other examples:

Erica Campbell rearranged Aaliyah’s song “More than a Woman” to “More than a Lover”

Zarcari Cortez uses the beat of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” for his song “YDIA”.

I personally think Christian R&B is the direction Gospel/ Contemporary Christian music is headed in. Of course you can never abandon the oldie but goodie style of music, but just as people change and evolve, the music regardless of what genre has to as well.

Andra Day

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Andra Day is a new R&B artists who got her start after being noticed by Stevie Wonders second wife, Kai Millard Morris. She is now signed to Warner Bros Records. Her first album was released in 2015 titled “Cheers to the Fall”. Lately Audra has been receiving a lot of attention. Many compare her to other female artists such as Adele, Erykah Badu, and Amy Winehouse. Andra has a very noticeable voice, and her style can be described as a mixture of Jazz, Soul, and R&B. Andra’s album was nominated for Best R&B Album and the album’s main single, “Rise Up”, was nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

I first noticed Audra Day when I heard her single “Rise Up”. I was immediately captivated by her voice, which is definitely unlike most voices you hear on the radio. I especially loved the lyrics of the song. I thought it was very inspirational. What I love most about an artist is when they can write music that can be enjoyed by anyone. When I first heard Andra, I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations Star 99.1, which is a contemporary Christian music radio station. Since then I have heard her music on other popular stations, but I love the fact that her music can be played on various stations to reach people which different music preferences.

“I think ya better call Tyrone…But you caint use my phone”

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If you haven’t figured it out by now this blog post will be featuring the vibrantly soulful R&B artist, Erykah Badu. She began her music career in 1996 and has been in the music game ever since. I remember growing up hearing Erykah’s catchy songs such as “On and On,” “Next Lifetime,” “Call Tyrone,” and much more. Overtime she has been categorized as the Queen of NeoSoul; a contemporary R&B music genre that is more soulful and tends to have deeper messages and meanings than R&B. Erykah Badu’s style of music is poetic, soulful, smooth, colorful, vibrant, eclectic, very original and authentic. In my opinion her music is what they call an aquired taste.

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Recently in 2015, Erykah has released some new music in the form of a mixtape called “But You Caint Use My Phone.” If you are a Badu fan, you understand the reference of her mixtape title. One of her popular songs is titled “Tyrone“. In this song she expresses her frustration with her man who doesn’t want to spend time alone with her anymore. He’d much rather spend time with his male friends, one of them named Tyrone. So Erykah in this song is kicking her boyfriend to the curb and she suggests that he calls his friend Tyrone to come help him get his belongings. The last lines of this song is “You need to call Tyrone. Hold on, But you can’t use my phone.”

Erykah’s new mixtape embodies contemporary styles of music, but she still manages to be herself. Some of my favorite songs are “Phone down“, “U Don’t Have to Call“, and “Cell U Lar Device“. In “U don’t have to call” she put a spin on Usher’s 2001 hit song, and “Cell U Lar Device” is a remix to Drake’s “Hotline Bling”. So If you are an old fan or new fan of Erykah’s I highly recommend checking out her new mixtape. While you’re at it you mind as well go explore some of her older albums as well. I promise you will not be disappointed!

~Latoyah Sunday