Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men explains why today’s R&B music doesn’t sound like R&B music from back in the day agree or disagree?

[SNYC]

Back in the day, you mostly had average-looking people with elite vocal skills. If the vocal skills were less than elite, they made up for it with dancing, playing instruments at an elite level and having some kind of sex appeal.

Now it's people that are (often) more physically attractive with average skills...or at least they're "plug & play." Good enough to do what the studios require but easily replaceable. They want a model with forgettable music that the machine can control and use for its own ends.

Started in the 80s with MTV & the rise of music videos

'Video Killed The Radio Star' <-- was the first vid they played for a reason

 

[YakSpiller]

Too many "singers" today are just melodic speakers/rappers.

This and also it may sound corny but they aren’t singing about live or being loved.

It’s very narcissistic now.

My nikka K-Ci was willing to give up his house and car for one hit of that shyt

 

[YakSpiller]

Back in the day, you mostly had average-looking people with elite vocal skills. If the vocal skills were less than elite, they made up for it with dancing, playing instruments at an elite level and having some kind of sex appeal.

Now it's people that are (often) more physically attractive with average skills...or at least they're "plug & play." Good enough to do what the studios require but easily replaceable. They want a model with forgettable music that the machine can control and use for its own ends.

Real talk.

Singing or actually being talented was the 1st priority and they glammed you up after.

 

[Big Boss]

Who is this generation Babyface, R Kelly etc for songwriting???

 

[Rapmastermind]

He killed this solo joint back in the day. But as far as R&B, it's sad how there use to be so many R&B male and female groups. Not much anymore. Not big on much modern R&B honestly. There are one-hit wonder R&B artist from back in the day that have better songs than a lot stuff out now.

 

[DrexlersFade]

He killed this solo joint back in the day. But as far as R&B, it's sad how there use to be so many R&B male and female groups. Not much anymore. Not big on much modern R&B honestly. There are one-hit wonder R&B artist from back in the day that have better songs than a lot stuff out now.

I have a theory on that too many black men and women were getting generational wealth couldn't have that where did they all go.

That Visions of a Sunset is angelic