Over the past few years, there have been many debates on the state of R&B. Some artists have been supportive of the direction, while others have not been satisfied. In an interview with Rolling Out, Bobby V shared his thoughts on today’s R&B music.
“R&B is in a weird place,” he said. “Me being a real singer and playing piano and stuff like that and trying to be one of the forerunners [who are] bringing R&B back, and seeing the business and game where it is now …I’m not giving up on it —but I’m just sitting back a little bit and reevaluating things. I’m seeing where urban music is going. Having a record deal and them keeping you in a box as an urban artist, it just opened my eyes to want to do something different and try some different stuff.”
The Atlanta native also stated how he feels R&B music has turned into an underground genre. “In 2014, I don’t really think it is R&B,” Bobby said. “R&B is more of a black market, kind of. It’s [gone] all the way hip-hop. The rappers are singing. So if rap is more popular than R&B and rappers are singing, then it kind of leaves us out the door — those that really do real R&B.
Bobby also said he feels like the only R&B songs — for the most part — that get popular are ones that promote negativity or degrade women. “Of course, you can make an R&B song degrading women and saying some negative things and that may work,” he said. “Because it seems like those are the R&B songs that are working now, which is a little sad to me. But I’m not that kind of guy.”
After the interview, the “Slow Down” singer made a statement via his Instagram. “Sorry for those who hate & disagree it’s jus my opinion!,” he wrote. “For the last 3 yrs people keep saying r&b coming back! I can’t wait! But I been waiting! It’s becoming a lost art for the future generation #opinion.”
(Source: Rolling Out)
