Contemporary R&B

For the parent genre, see Rhythm and blues.

Contemporary R&B (or simply R&B) is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.

Contemporary R&B
Stylistic origins	Rhythm and blues pop soul funk hip hop electronic
Cultural origins	Late 1970s and early 1980s, North America
Derivative forms	Neo soul nu-funk 2-step alternative R&B afroswing
Subgenres
Hip hop soul RnBass
Fusion genres
Crunk&B Latin R&B new jack swing pluggnb raï'n'B rhythm & grime snap&B

The genre features a distinctive record production style and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. Electronic influences and the use of hip hop or dance-inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop may be reduced and smoothed out. Contemporary R&B vocalists often use melisma, and since the mid-1980s, R&B rhythms have been combined with elements of hip hop culture and music, pop culture and pop music.