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1948
The un-official begin. A writer of Billboard Magazine, Erry Wexler, used the term “rhythm and blues” to market this new type of music. -
1951
Many songs such as “Cupid’s Boogie”, “Double Crossing Blues” and “Mistrustin Blues”, produced by Johnny Otis, were hits in 1951. -
1951
Little Richard Penniman was the first R&B artist, working for RCA Records. -
1952
Antoine Dominique, also known as “Fat Domino,” made the top 10 charts with the song “Ain’t That a Shame” -
1952
B.B. King’s “3 O’Clock Blues” hits #1 on the US Billboard. -
1955
WINS radio states it will not play the white cover of Fat Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame. -
1957
Elvis Presley made the R&B top five with two records; “Jailhouse Rock”/”Treat Me Nice” and “All Shook Up.” This was a first for the R&B community, having a non-African American artist in this music category. -
1961
Carla Thomas of Stax Records produced a hit known as “Cause I Love You.” It sold over 30,000 records. -
1964
Rolling Stones hit big as one of the first white British R&B bands. -
1974
Marvin Gaye releases the Billboard hit “Let’s Get It On.” -
1990
Hip hop begins to weave into R&B music. -
1999
Eminem emerges as “white trash,” with R&B being notoriously big in the African-American community. -
2002
“Always On Time” by Ja Rule hits #1 in US singles chart. -
2003
Beyoncé starts her solo artist career. -
2004
The hit, “"If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys, wins a Grammy and Billboard Song of the Year. -
2004
Usher releases the Album, “Confessions,” which wins a Grammy and the Billboard Album of the Year. -
2005
"We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey wins a Grammy and Billboard Song of the Year. -
2007
Alicia Keys releases the album “As I Am” which wins a Grammy and the 2008 Billboard Album of the Year. -
2011
“Love on Top” by Beyoncé wins a Grammy and 2012 Billboard Song of the Year. -
Present
R&B has evolved through the years with many contemporary sounds influencing the style of music.
