Is R and B dead? There really isn't a simple answer to this question. From one perspective, I say YES! Here are my reasons why I feel R and B is dead in 2009:
When the campaign began about Hip Hop being dead, many rappers and industry insiders were offended. Well, I felt people that proclaimed that Hip Hop was dead had many, many valid points. With R&B, noone can deny that real, true and soulful R and B is living in today's current music industry. R&B is dead for that reason alone. My new book Rhythm Without Blues: The Dichotomy of a Music Genre details vivid opinions, viewpoints and arguments about the state of R&B and the music industry as a whole. Today, R and B is not R&B. I am sure you are asking yourself "what does she mean by R and B is not R and B?" Well, R andB today is Hip Hop mixed with watered down lyrics, boring vocals and uninspiring melodies. R and B is not really R and B. Let's examine this further....What did R and B look like decade by decade...
R&B in the 1960's: Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Motown
R&B in the 1970's: Curtis Mayfield, Motown (again), Mavis Staples, Michael Jackson
R&B in the 1980's: Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman
R&B in the 1990's: R. Kelly, SWV, Mary J. Blige, New Edition, Jagged Edge, Brandy
R&B in early 2000's: Tamia, Deborah Cox, Syleena Johnson, Joe, Anthony Hamilton
R&B today: Ledisi, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, and many more.
Is Drake, Jeremih, Trey Songz, T-Pain and many others are they considered R and B.....?
Do you see the change, the transition, the watered down vocal ability......Today we do have artists that are artistic, musical and who have voices that are powerhouses but that is the minority.....where is Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, Kelly Price, and others...why arent they considered mainstream R and B....NO disrespect to artists out there but vocally the artists that exist today are weak in comparison to 5 or 10 or even 20 years ago....so now ask yourself...is R and B dead?
YES. Hip Hop destroyed R and B's movement.....Urban radio ruined R&B's mainsteam appeal and finally the major record label created an environment where PROFIT over ARTISTRY rules!
So,................................ R&B is DEAD! Join my campaign to SAVE R&B. Check my youtube blog this week about the issue....www.youtube.com/syleecia........My new book is coming soon...BUY TRUE R and B...support R and B artists......go to concerts of real artists....demand that your radio station save R and B...
ARE YOU WITH ME?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Who I am...defines why I wrote this book!
Rhythm Without Blues: The Dichotomy of a Music Genre coming late November 2009. More details to come but check out my bio created by Tamekia Singleton!
What more can a woman do once she has done about everything within her field of work? “Anything” can be done, according to Dr. Syleecia Thompson and she has set out to prove it. With three degrees, a BS in Economics, MBA and a Doctorate in Business; Dr. Thompson is inspired and driven by the belief that anything is possible if you work hard and think big. Based on these credentials and a ‘multi-task with a multi-purpose’ mentality, Dr. Thompson set out to seek her greatest passion: teaching. She has taught everything from Algebra, Public Relations, and Leadership; all at college level. “I really love the classroom, teaching new concepts, and watching others learn,” Dr. Thompson says, who currently is a full-time Professor in Business, Management, Organizational Behavior, Managing for Change, Music Business Management and Project Management for a college in New York.
As the daughter of legendary soul singer Syl Johnson and older sister of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson, it was natural for Dr. Thompson to incorporate her teaching and leadership skills into music. “I have a strong passion for music too,” says Thompson, who began managing Syleena Johnson’s career in 2005 and is currently the President of Aneelys Records; Syleena Johnson’s independent record label. Dr. Thompson gained a deep passion for R&B music watching her father and sister record, but became disturbed by the lack of respect for the genre and artists who contribute great music to the art form, including Syl and Syleena Johnson. Driven by passion and fueled with a go-getter attitude, this scholar decided to seek out the soul of a fading genre. Dr. Thompson wanted a resolution to the music she loves the most.
Rhythm and Blues has been greatly overlooked in the mainstream and leaves Dr. Thompson asking, “How can R&B be living in an industry that does not support it, respect it or promote it?" This question is the foundation of her first book, “Rhythm Without Blues: The Dichotomy of a Music Genre”. This rhetoric rooted in R&B delves into the reality of the cutthroat industry and debunks the myth that talent is all you need to make it in the music business. "Talent is the last thing you need", according to Dr. Thompson. Dr. Thompson goes beyond giving her opinion in her book and shows a broad perspective with interviews from industry insiders; singers, songwriters, executives and producers such as R. Kelly, Larry Khan, Toxic, Mickey “MeMpHitZ” Wright, Nicci Gilbert of Brownstone, Syleena Johnson, and more who all share the same passion for music. She sets out to expose the unchallenged rules of the R&B music industry and propose ways of bringing balance back to the genre. “I do believe there is a way to make money in this industry and act like a decent human being,” Dr. Thompson says.
As a teacher, manager, president, and author Dr. Thompson shows no signs of slowing down. Dr. Thompson recently wrote for the Encyclopedia of African-American Music soon to be published under Greenwood Press. Her entry focused on black music in Chicago from 1942 through today and covered several genres of music. She even looks forward to publishing another booked titled “The Leader Who Follows: Successful Strategies for Leading in Any Capacity”. Respectfully, Dr. Thompson has proven she can apply herself to any situation with precision. And although Dr. Thompson has proven herself four times over, she still feels her work is unfinished. ”I’m inspired daily to leave a legacy that has meaning and purpose,” says Dr. Thompson. She is sure to leave a legacy of leadership and inspiration that will ignite passion in everyone she touches.
What more can a woman do once she has done about everything within her field of work? “Anything” can be done, according to Dr. Syleecia Thompson and she has set out to prove it. With three degrees, a BS in Economics, MBA and a Doctorate in Business; Dr. Thompson is inspired and driven by the belief that anything is possible if you work hard and think big. Based on these credentials and a ‘multi-task with a multi-purpose’ mentality, Dr. Thompson set out to seek her greatest passion: teaching. She has taught everything from Algebra, Public Relations, and Leadership; all at college level. “I really love the classroom, teaching new concepts, and watching others learn,” Dr. Thompson says, who currently is a full-time Professor in Business, Management, Organizational Behavior, Managing for Change, Music Business Management and Project Management for a college in New York.
As the daughter of legendary soul singer Syl Johnson and older sister of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson, it was natural for Dr. Thompson to incorporate her teaching and leadership skills into music. “I have a strong passion for music too,” says Thompson, who began managing Syleena Johnson’s career in 2005 and is currently the President of Aneelys Records; Syleena Johnson’s independent record label. Dr. Thompson gained a deep passion for R&B music watching her father and sister record, but became disturbed by the lack of respect for the genre and artists who contribute great music to the art form, including Syl and Syleena Johnson. Driven by passion and fueled with a go-getter attitude, this scholar decided to seek out the soul of a fading genre. Dr. Thompson wanted a resolution to the music she loves the most.
Rhythm and Blues has been greatly overlooked in the mainstream and leaves Dr. Thompson asking, “How can R&B be living in an industry that does not support it, respect it or promote it?" This question is the foundation of her first book, “Rhythm Without Blues: The Dichotomy of a Music Genre”. This rhetoric rooted in R&B delves into the reality of the cutthroat industry and debunks the myth that talent is all you need to make it in the music business. "Talent is the last thing you need", according to Dr. Thompson. Dr. Thompson goes beyond giving her opinion in her book and shows a broad perspective with interviews from industry insiders; singers, songwriters, executives and producers such as R. Kelly, Larry Khan, Toxic, Mickey “MeMpHitZ” Wright, Nicci Gilbert of Brownstone, Syleena Johnson, and more who all share the same passion for music. She sets out to expose the unchallenged rules of the R&B music industry and propose ways of bringing balance back to the genre. “I do believe there is a way to make money in this industry and act like a decent human being,” Dr. Thompson says.
As a teacher, manager, president, and author Dr. Thompson shows no signs of slowing down. Dr. Thompson recently wrote for the Encyclopedia of African-American Music soon to be published under Greenwood Press. Her entry focused on black music in Chicago from 1942 through today and covered several genres of music. She even looks forward to publishing another booked titled “The Leader Who Follows: Successful Strategies for Leading in Any Capacity”. Respectfully, Dr. Thompson has proven she can apply herself to any situation with precision. And although Dr. Thompson has proven herself four times over, she still feels her work is unfinished. ”I’m inspired daily to leave a legacy that has meaning and purpose,” says Dr. Thompson. She is sure to leave a legacy of leadership and inspiration that will ignite passion in everyone she touches.
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