2. R&B
Originally R&B was used in the 1940s as a replacement of the term "race music" to identify black artists
R&B has actually changed quite a bit over the decades of use, although it has generally (right or wrong) been associated with music made predominately by black artists and musicians.
Originally R&B was used in the 1940s as a replacement of the term "race music" to identify black artists . At the time musicians were also mixing jazz styles and blues together. One of the pronounced differences is in the locking together of the drums and bass into a tight rhythm feel (as opposed to Jazz where the bass is often loose).
Allan Freed took the term Rock & Roll from many R&B songs (The Trieners, Louis Jordan, Roy Brown), and turned the term into a name for white youth playing black R&B music.
R&B went on to be used in the eras of 60's soul (Stax and Motown), 70's Funk, Disco, and even at one time HipHop, before that became it's own break out genre. Today the Billboard Chart that used to be R&B is listed as R&B/Hip Hop.
Rock & roll branched out into "doo-wop" which then evolved into the "Motown sound" in the 60's. R&B may share characteristics from other genres of music like Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Disco, Dance and Hip-Hop
Some have noted that R&B songs deal with emotions and themes of pain and suffering, the pursuit of freedom and happiness. But this is the human condition described in all genres of music, and even Country Music includes these metaphors, just with the imagery of Pick-up trucks, dogs, and women in Cowboy Boots.
So in the end R&B describes a style of music, but it still somewhat a racial term.

3. DEFINITION OF R&B
R&B is a specific genre of music for sure but there are also different 'subgenres' that R&B can be divided into, each with their own characteristics..
Even though R&B music is usually associated with black artists, blue eyed soul is a term for white artists primarily known for producing quality R&B music.
A common feature of all R&B songs is that they have to be melodic with a steady, semi-predictable beat that uses a bass track that stands out from the other instruments.
Up-tempo R&B songs must have a melody that is fast enough to be considered high energy and danceable, but not so fast that specific dances cannot be constructed to the beat (i.e.: techno or trance music).
Slower R&B ballads usually have a melody with a groove that allows slow two person dancing.
Lyrically, most R&B songs have to do with love, sex or relationships in general both positive and negative. Some R&B songs involve the telling of an elaborate story (as in

4. Pioneering Groups and Contemporary Artists
Pioneering R&B groups in the 1940s and 50s included The Cardinals, the Swallows, Dunbar Four / Hi Fi's, the Four Bars of Rhythm, the Five Blue Notes, the Melodaires, the Armstrong Four, the Clovers, and the Buddies / Capt-Tans. The musicians of these bands were mostly born before 1935 and came of age about 1947.
Examples of popular contemporary R&B artists include Usher, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly and Jennifer Hudson.
Pioneering Groups and Contemporary Artists

5. Other genres of music that can also be considered Sub-genres of R&B music include:
Rock & Roll- Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino
Motown- James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye
Disco- Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross
Funk- Rick James, George Clinton, Prince
Jazz- Miles Davis, Al Jarreau, Rachelle Ferrell
Gospel- Bebe & CeCe Wynans, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin
Classic Soul- Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker
Dance/Pop- Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston
Modern R&B- Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Usher, Genuine
Neo Soul- Jill Scott, Erika Badu, Alicia Keys, John Legend
Blue Eyed Soul- Teena Marie, Michael Bolton, Lisa Stansfield
Hip-Hop- The Fugees, The Outcast, The Black Eyed Peas

6. Hot R&B Songs In 2017
Last Week: 1 Wild Thoughts DJ Khaled Featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller
Last Week: 2 That's What I Like Bruno Mars
Last Week: 4 Young Dumb & Broke Khalid
Last Week: 5 Love Galore SZA Featuring Travis Scott
Last Week: 3 Feels Calvin Harris Featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean
Last week: 7Do Re Mi Blackbear
Last Week: 8 The Weekend SZA
Last Week: 6 F**k Love XXXTentacion Featuring Trippie Redd
Last Week: 9 B.E.D. Jacquees
Last Week: 10 Versace On The Floor Bruno Mars