Welcome to NuR&B. This is a personal project of mine, and as the tagline says, I’m just “vibin’ to R&B tunes, both old and new.” I wanted a space to share some curated playlists that emphasize and celebrate the rich and soulful sounds of the Rhythm and Blues musical genre. Whether you’re a lifelong R&B fan or a newcomer looking to explore, this I hope this is a strong introduction to the music that has defined generations.
Background & history
I’ve always had a pulse on R&B, but I didn’t really get into it until 2015. At some point during that year, I realized that I wasn’t the same hip-hop head downloading the latest rap mixtapes from Nahright, Datpiff, or 2dopeboyz. It may have been that I was just looking for something new, or that R&B was incorporating more trap and hip-hop sounds, but I immediately locked in. I created an excessively long playlist on Spotify. Then another, and another, and another. Then I was hooked.
It’s always a bit weird sending someone a text or WhatsApp message like, “hey, wanna listen to my playlist?” Most people don’t. It’s just not a priority. And it’s an awkward ask.
I’m not a musician or a singer, nor am I a DJ. But I really love music. And I really making playlists. I try to think about the overall theme, the length of the playlist, the vibe throughout the playlist, and just… does it feel right? I feel like they’re great for getting people to let their guard down and relax a bit more. I think they’re great to set the mood for a particular occasion or moment. Or they’re perfect when you’re trying to get in the right state of mind from everything from a workout to a work day.
I’m a newbie when it comes to the music format. But I am passionate about R&B in all its forms—from the classic hits that paved the way to the modern tracks that keep the genre alive and evolving. There are so many storied names throughout its history and more coming everyday. And R&B is international too!
This site is a personal project, but it’s labor of love. It’s created by an avid R&B fan who has spent countless hours compiling playlists that capture the essence of the artists and songs that make R&B so special. I hope you enjoy.
What You’ll Find Here
– Curated Playlists: Dive into our extensive collection of R&B playlists, each one carefully crafted to highlight different moods and aspects of the genre. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a playlist for every occasion.
– Artist Spotlights: Explore artist-focused playlists, where I try to delve deep into the discographies of R&B legends and up & comers. These playlists feature the greatest hits and some of the hidden gems that showcase the full range of an artist’s talent.
– Album Reviews: I feel like albums have lost their prominence in our short attention span era. But they still are the core of an artist’s musical production. I try to provide a simple, succinct, and accurate review of these bodies of work from time to time.
Parting Words
The goal of NuR&B is simple: to share the love of R&B with the world. I hope this can be a space where fans and newcomers explore the genre with me–discover new music, revisit old favorites, and share their feelings about the art. Music moves us, and through these playlists, I hope to bring a little more soul into your day.
Thank you for visiting NuR&B. I’m more than excited to have you here and I look forward to sharing the music that moves us all.
Cover photo by Yvette de Wit on Unsplash