Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Brandy and Alicia Keys.

During the last four years, the genre of R&B music has rapidly lost its footing as a dominant art form of popular culture and has been marginalised on the charts. Yet, as critics and fans look to men, such as Chris Brown, Usher and Trey Songz, to provide an answer to this crisis, the salvation of the R&B movement could only truly be achieved by women.

Homophobia is the primary policing agent of gender used to maintain the hegemonic standards of masculinity in patriarchal societies. It affects both gay and heterosexual men as it is rooted in misogyny – a hatred of femininity – and used a tool to denounce feminine characteristics and preserve the dominance of masculinity. In other words, homophobia forces men to act like men and not women or else they won’t be regarded as real men.

The effects of homophobia encourages men to constantly survey their behaviour to ensure that they are matching the dominant gender ideals of masculinity. This ubiquitous self-observance prevents men from expressing their true emotions and ideas because they risk being victimised by other men and even women, who are unknowingly reinforcing the subordinate position of femininity in patriarchal societies. Have you ever considered how silly women sound when they call a man a “bitch” because he is considered feminine?

This fear of homophobia among men is termed as homophobiaphobia and it breeds overt expressions of masculinity that relate to the fragile male ego. Simply, men, particularly those of social minority groups, defend themselves from homophobia via hypermasculinity. That’s why Trey Songz and several other black R&B artists feel compelled to remind us of their sexual conquests.

So, what on sweet Mother Earth does all this fancy language have to do with women saving R&B? Well, think about it. If men are restricted by homophobia then how could they create the innovative material needed to boost the dying genre?

In the music industry, men and women are marketed in completely different ways, especially in the Urban fields. Men are rarely depicted in their music videos without a bevy of girls, money and other symbols of masculine power that emphasise their position as dominant individuals. Women, on the other hand, have more freedom for self-expression.

From their experiments with fashion to the dramatic uses of their vocal ranges, women are allowed to explore the limits of their artistry with few serious consequences. Indeed, with the exception of ageism affecting female artists over the age of 40 years and the limiting of overt expressions of their sexualities, women are given the liberty to do many things that men cannot.

Beyonce wore Jay-Z’s clothes in her ’Upgrade U’ video but could you imagine the reaction of audiences if the roles were reversed and he dressed in her butt pads?

Women could even dress in fashions usually tailored for men without causing serious scandal! For instance, Beyonce wore Jay-Z’s clothes in her ‘Upgrade U’ video but could you imagine the reaction of audiences if the roles were reversed and he dressed in her butt pads?

What this long-winded discussion really reflects is the fact that while men are constrained by homophobia, women have ample opportunity to think outside the box and develop new approaches for the rebranding of R&B.

We can’t overlook the efforts of all men, though. Concerning ‘Climax’, Usher created an innovative, contemporary hit that bridged the divide between Dance and R&B. However, what did he do for his followup single, ‘Let Me See’? He retreated to the expected hypermasculine model of men in Urban music:

“She say she want to take her skirt off. Be my guest. I decided to take my shirt off and show my chest so you know what’s next. Working intermissions, switching positions; we so explicit…”

Still, all of this talk would be worthless if women refuse to understand their unspoken power as artists. Indeed, unlike Monica and Ashanti who refuse to expand their sounds and have been creating redundant material dated to 2003 when they were still relevant, the women of R&B need to realise their true value.

Of course, only established women in the industry with large fanbases have the ability to influence a change in the current popular culture trends. Hence, it would take artists on the level of Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys to affect this mini-revolution.

Beyonce did try to inveigle a renewed interest in R&B with her ’4′ album but thanks to her terrible singles, poor management and unimaginative samples, the project failed to make a major impact. Read my full thoughts about that disaster here!

Brandy is another act who has the chance to inspire change in R&B but it is unclear whether her label is in a position to promote her effectively. Of course, she definitely has the skill to make it happen but talent alone is not enough to sell records. If you doubt me then ask Melanie Fiona.

All in all, after all these words and the cursing that some of you probably uttered while reading this article – hey Beyonce fans! – the key point is that women are in a unique position to revive the R&B genre in a way that men cannot. Unaffected by similar hindrances stemming from homophobia, women could go beyond the box in search of answers that fans of R&B so desperately need.

Watch Ashanti’s ‘Only U’ video below and remember the days when R&B music was exciting

http://thelavalizard.com/...l-save-rb/

“She say she want to take her skirt off. Be my guest. I decided to take my shirt off and show my chest so you know what’s next. Working intermissions, switching positions; we so explicit…”

lawd.

These women ALREADY are:

But you dont see the artile talking about them....

Ain't none of them heffas-Bouncy, Alicia "Homewrecker" Keys, Mariah and Brandy saving nothing, except the jobs of stylists, weavologists and makeup artists by keeping them gainfully employed.

mjscarousal said:

These women ALREADY are:

But you dont see the artile talking about them....

They don't get talked about because all those listed are a snoozefest IMO except Janelle and Erykah, with Janelle never changing her clothes and Erykah being a misunderstood weirdo. Besides, I'm sure they were talking in terms of relevance and success, not actual material.

Alicia Keys and Beyonce are really the only "force" in R&B, male or female, mainly because they crossed over so effortlessly. However, as big of a fan as I am of Alicia, she hasn't produced a great album since the 'DOAK' and Beyonce is just popular I guess. Mariah was never really that R&B and Brandy hasn't been relevant in years. I would replace Brandy with Mary, although she's fallen a bit lately.

Now, as far as the article is concerned, I agree with the notion that male singers are safe, which is probably why I find them boring. Me and my friends have had this talk and feel that male r&b singers lack creativity in their music, vocals, "fashion" and performances. I thought Justin Timberlake, would be that guy but I guess he isn't that interested in making music.

Personally, I find all male R&B singers to be boring except Anthony Hamilton and occasionally John Legend. I use to like Musiq & Usher but I've lost interest. I like Miguel but his album got old pretty fast, though I'm still interested in his next project. Never been a fan of the Chris Brown, Trey Songs, Mario, Tank (who has a nice voice but is BOOOORING) and Ne-Yo's of the world. Chris Brown is possibly the only one who challenges himself musically and on stage (his vocals still suck IMO) but I just can't get into his music at. all.

Now that I think about it, males don't seem to dominate popular music like they use to, with rock music essentially being non-existant. I can't even think of a popular Pop male singer/performer besides Justin Beiber, who makes terrible music, and maybe Maroon 5.

Janelle keeps being hyped as the next big something or other, but she's turning out to be a zero.

They don't get talked about because all those listed are a snoozefest IMO except Janelle and Erykah, with Janelle never changing her clothes and Erykah being a misunderstood weirdo. Besides, I'm sure they were talking in terms of relevance and success, not actual material.

Alicia Keys and Beyonce are really the only "force" in R&B, male or female, mainly because they crossed over so effortlessly. However, as big of a fan as I am of Alicia, she hasn't produced a great album since the 'DOAK' and Beyonce is just popular I guess. Mariah was never really that R&B and Brandy hasn't been relevant in years. I would replace Brandy with Mary, although she's fallen a bit lately.

The article was implying that THEIR MUSIC will save R&b and the ONLY artists out of the four that exactly makes R&B is Brandy and although Im not a huge fan Alicia Keys... Its been years since Mariah Carey came out with a solid R&B album and Beyonce well... is just Beyonce like you said.

I disagree with you claiming Alicia Keys and Beyonce being the force of R&B when one, Beyonce doesnt even make R&B music and two, Alicia Keys hasnt recenetly came out with anything and none of what she has came out matches Diary of Alicia Keys.... Beyonce crossovered because of how she was marketed and her manufactured looks.

I simply listed current female artists who exactly MAKE R&b whether you find them personally entertaining or not. They dont get no attention because their not showing their ass or making pop shit not because their a snoozefest...

IIAGY said:

Personally, I find all male R&B singers to be boring except Anthony Hamilton and occasionally John Legend. I use to like Musiq & Usher but I've lost interest. I like Miguel but his album got old pretty fast, though I'm still interested in his next project. Never been a fan of the Chris Brown, Trey Songs, Mario, Tank (who has a nice voice but is BOOOORING) and Ne-Yo's of the world. Chris Brown is possibly the only one who challenges himself musically and on stage (his vocals still suck IMO) but I just can't get into his music at. all.

Now that I think about it, males don't seem to dominate popular music like they use to, with rock music essentially being non-existant. I can't even think of a popular Pop male singer/performer besides Justin Beiber, who makes terrible music, and maybe Maroon 5.

Males havent been that dominate in a while as far as pop music in general...

Alot of people bag on John Legend but I exactly like him... his first two albums are real good and I think his a talented vocalist. Anothony Hamilton is that dude that needs no explanation

There is nothing creative about Chris Browns horrible singing and his mediocre MJ impersonation show.

TO be completely honest, I honestly wouldnt have mind Usher if he had stuck with making R&B, he pretty much ended it all right there...

It would be nice if more cats like Anthony Hamilton, Mint Condition got more attention because their really challenging themselves creatively with that genre... kinda sad exactly... The article wants R&b but is looking for it in pop singers.

This article is a bit ridiculous, isn't it? If homophobia was a new trend then maybe it would have a valid point but if you change the names the article could have been written in 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992 or 2002 (well, maybe not 1982, the eighties were all about androgyny ). I just don't see why women are in a position today to save R & B in a way that they were not in the past. I also think it is fair to say that most women are just as boxed in when it comes to what they sing about as most men are. There may be small differences but do women really have a broader range of issues they sing about as compared to men?

Besides, it all comes down to the audience. If people don't have an appetite for R & B music and have no desire for it to be "saved" it doesn't matter how many great and innovative singles/albums are made, they will be ignored. Mainstream music in general is in decline, that is the problem and that is what needs to change.

scriptgirl said:

Janelle keeps being hyped as the next big something or other, but she's turning out to be a zero.

I remember reading an article about her one or two years ago. People were saying she was the "female James Brown." I think she performed on a BET special, and I was like okay so she's going for the "unique" thing by dressing "differently" and doing old-school dance moves? Okay then..

I don't think I've ever heard a song from her. All that hype and nothing. I'm tired of people trying to be the odd ball and being "different." It's all just a marketing ploy anyway. I'm looking at you Erykah..

rialb said:

Besides, it all comes down to the audience. If people don't have an appetite for R & B music and have no desire for it to be "saved" it doesn't matter how many great and innovative singles/albums are made, they will be ignored. Mainstream music in general is in decline, that is the problem and that is what needs to change.

Thats pretty much it in a nutshell

No.

Fuck women, I will save R&B.

HAPPYPERSON said:

Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Brandy and Alicia Keys.

If your premise is correct......................R&B will NEVER return 2 it's former glory.

smoothcriminal12 said:

No.

Fuck women, I will save R&B.