New Era of Rhythm and Blues

Final

“That’s The Way Love Is”, by Marvin Gaye, was a song of love, passion and inspiration. This artist told a passionate story about how to find that one you love. Then you have an artist like R. Kelly who made songs like “Sex me” and “Bump and Grind”. He made some good music that speaks positively but his overall message is sex. These two artists are from two different era’s and they are amazing. They have songs to where their styles were similar and, songs to where their styles are completely different. I will break down the two and let you decide who is the better artist.

Before we talk about which artist is better we need to talk about what R “n” B is. R “n” B really stands for Rhythm and Blues. A man named Jerry Wexler in 1949 gave this name to this form of music. He not only gave this music its name but its roots as well. He helped artists such as Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and many more.

Jerry Wexler was the vice president of Atlantic Records in the 1950’s. He was very influential to all the artist that were signed to his label. He helped each artist give America something positive in every song that was produced. Around the time he helped the artist, World War II had just ended and many blacks were migrating north. This was his chance and he took it by getting African American’s to sing songs of inspiration, freedom, love and spirituality.

Now R “n” B is not just the slow music you hear, it is all kinds of genres. It consist of; Rock, Country, Western, Blues, and Gospel. All these different genres speak to a different demographic but they all have a positive message in behind them. Most songs are about uplift and love, not this generation’s definition of love but real soulful love. These forms of music also give people a personal connection that makes them feel as though someone else knows them and is speaking their pain for them through their song.

Now Marvin Gaye was one of the most influential artists there has ever been. He was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. He went to the air force and got discharged and returned back to Washington. While being back at home he sang in a on the corner in a number of doo wop groups. He got noticed in a local group named Rainbows.

He later was signed to Motown Label and it took awhile but he took off in 1963 after he was signed in 1961. He had such a great voice and in 1965 he had 39 Top 40 singles for Motown. His success was hard to gain when he had a certain passion. He wanted to sing about love but the company wanted something else. He had all kinds of music. Marvin’s style early

 on in his career was about making people feel love and getting a person back. He also had inspirational songs such as “I Heard it Through the Grapevines” and “Pride and Joy”. He covered almost all things imaginable when it came to his singing and his song writing.

R. Kelly grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He too sang on street corners before being discovered. He made his debut in a group named Public Announcement. He got a name with this group, but later gained reputation on his and a spot on the Top 10 charts with Sex me Part I and II. He was moving faster than most expected. Just like Marvin Gaye, he is a great composer, songwriter, and performer.

That brings me to my next point, where I compare both artists. Both R. Kelly and Marvin Gaye have been influential to each generation they sang to. In R. Kelly’s song “You Saved me”, he told a variety of stories, that lead to each person in the story to turn to God. In Marvin Gaye’s song, “Wholly Holy”. He talks about how God is amazing in all aspects and how we can do all things through God. These two songs are both speaking on God and give you the most uplifting feeling when listening to them.

Although they both have a totally different message, they are different because R. Kelly gives you people who never put true faith in God. A good example of this is when he sang as if he had been a drunk driver. He talked about how he had gotten into a wreck and the doctors told his wife to give up hope. Then one day God spoke to him and said, “ I will give you life if you stop drinking.” In Marvin’s song, he is telling you how God is amazing and how he created this land for us and his book for us to read and learn. Both a dynamic especially when these two artists sing their respective songs.

Another song R. Kelly made that has similarities to Marvin Gaye is “Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby”. In this song he is telling his woman that she has been there through his up’s and down’s and how he appreciates her. He reminds this woman of how she can have anything and how she changed him. In the song he even says a prayer with her asking God to never part their love. In Marvin’s song “Your Precious Love”, ft Tammi Terrell. They sing about their love and how she has brought him true happiness.

These two songs are great for people who are in love. They inspire you to see the best in the other person and how they brought the best out in you. R. Kelly’s song is a bit more spiritual and thankful for her helping him see God and he actually says a prayer for their love. Marvin’s song just thanks the woman for loving him and asking her never to leave because of the peace she brought to him.

As you can see both artists tell real good stories with their songs and their styles are amazing. Most people will say, “There’s no way you can compare the two”. Forget what most people say. These two artists are pioneers of R “n” B in two different era’s, and are an influence to other singers.

There is one last comparison that should be made here, and that is the love making music. Now R. Kelly can really get a party started in this category, most his top hits came from love making music. The one I feel that compares to Marvin Gaye’s song “Sexual Healing” is “It Seems Like Your Ready”. Now in both songs they speak of making love, but R. Kelly’s version is just about having sex. Marvin Gaye is telling the woman descriptively how he is ready to take her in his arms.

I really believe Marvin Gaye was a better song writer. His music was so amazing and it really touches the soul. R. Kelly has some great songs like that but Marvin made people love the way he wrote. His songs just related to you in so many ways and painted pictures in your mind that made you feel good. R. Kelly just focused on sex because he knows sex sellsAt the end of the day, both artists are phenomenal. They are true pioneers of R “n” B. Both artists speak on a variety of issues and help the listener feel good. Marvin will always be a legend for his work and the way he changed the way we listen to music. R. Kelly will be that legend one day but, he has a few more hits to go before reaching that status. Both artists are great and are one of the reasons you should listen to R “n” B.

 and that really isn’t what true love is really about, and that’s why Marvin is better.