Is Traditional R&B Becoming a Lost Art Form?

[Crystal Cartier VP]

There is so much discussion these days about what has happened to traditional R&B. We have Old School music lovers crying "Where is the real music, love, dignity & respect that Black Artists once commanded around the globe?" The once clever and even noble lyrics of Black music have given way to extreme profanity & lewd explicit sexual descriptions. The beautifully orchestrated music & melodies have decomposed to sampled sound bytes, loud bass & back beats. Distinctive skilled singers accompanied by harmonious & well choreographed background singers have been replaced by raucous crotch grabbing rappers surrounded by half naked strippers and whispering stylists that all sound the same. Meanwhile White folks are singing their hearts out and putting us to shame. When did Black folks forget how to sing?

It used to be that when we sang, White folks listened with rapt attention. Now, everybody's talking (Rapping) and nobody's listening... No one of social substance except the Dollarmites getting paid to help guide generations of impressionable young people down the drain of debauchery, wanton sexual activity, violence & rebellious lawlessness. Now parents are burying their children instead of the other way 'round.

So do we let Traditional Rhythm & Blues become a lost art form? If not how do we reclaim it? I think its up to the new producers & songwriters to reward artists that make the effort to stay true to the traditional values of R&B music. Songwriters need to write real songs again... You know... the kind that have verses, chorus and even a bridge?
The kind with lyrics that you can sing around your mother? What do you think? Do artists, songwriters and music producers have a responsibility to help guide the minds of our young people in the right direction?

[Crystal Cartier VP]

Beloved Earth Mother Coraleena, plz let the Church of the Holy Spirit say... "AMEN & ASHE!!!"
Meanwhile while Blacks only make up 12% of Amerikkka's population we have the highest AIDS/HIV stats in the nation. And we wonder 'WHY?"