RnB and House Music
What’s next for Rnb?
Imagine walking into a party in the late '80s or '90s. The music wasn’t just something to dance to—it was part of something bigger. R&B and house music were not just songs, but they helped create a whole vibe in Black nightlife. These two types of music mixed together in a way that made a huge impact on music history.
Even though many people think of house music as just “club music” and R&B as slow, emotional songs, these two styles were more connected than people realize. Let’s take a look at how R&B and house music worked together to create something special.
The Late '80s & Early '90s: The Fusion Begins
House Music’s Rise in Clubs
House music started in the underground clubs of Chicago and New York. DJs from Black and Latinx communities started creating a new sound. After disco music started to fade in the '80s, they needed fresh music to keep people dancing. Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, and Marshall Jefferson were the pioneers who added deep beats and funky sounds to make house music.
House music wasn’t just for dancing. It became a place where Black, queer, and other groups could feel free to be themselves. It became a safe space for everyone to come together and express themselves. And at the center of this music was the soulful feeling of R&B.
R&B’s Evolution in the Late '80s
At the same time, R&B music was changing. Artists like Luther Vandross and Anita Baker made smooth songs, but a new style called New Jack Swing was popping up. It mixed R&B with hip-hop beats, thanks to producers like Teddy Riley.
More and more, R&B started mixing into house music. Singers with amazing voices, who learned to sing in church, added their soulful voices to house tracks. This brought the two styles together to create something new.
The '90s: The Golden Age of R&B & House Music Together
House Remixes That Got R&B to the Dance Floor
In the '90s, many of your favorite R&B songs got turned into house remixes. Record labels would ask DJs to make new dance versions of popular songs so they could play them in clubs. Some of the best ones include:
Whitney Houston – "I’m Every Woman" (Clivillés & Cole House Remix, 1993)
Mariah Carey – "Dreamlover" (David Morales Remix, 1993)
Toni Braxton – "Un-Break My Heart" (Soul Hex Anthem Mix, 1996)
These weren’t just remixes; they became the versions of the songs that people danced to in clubs. Mariah Carey even became a big name in house music because of these remixes.
R&B Singers in House Music
Some artists didn’t just get remixed into house—they became stars in house music. Singers like CeCe Peniston, Crystal Waters, and Robin S. took their R&B voices and sang over house beats. Songs like “Finally” by CeCe Peniston and “Show Me Love” by Robin S. mixed R&B with house, and they became huge hits.
The Early 2000s: Changes in the Music Scene
House Music Changes
In the 2000s, house music started to become more mainstream, but the story of its roots was forgotten. Now, house music was more about pop hooks and big festivals. The soulful voices that used to be in house tracks were replaced with auto-tuned voices.
R&B Changes Too
At the same time, R&B started to change. Hip-hop was dominating the music charts, and R&B artists were looking for new ways to stay relevant. Many R&B songs started to sound more electronic, like Usher’s “Yeah!” and Chris Brown’s “Forever.” But even with the change, something was missing—the soul that R&B and house had together in the '90s.
The 2010s-Present: The Return of R&B and House Music
House Music Comes Back to Its Roots
Today, house music is going back to its roots, mixing R&B with house again. Artists like Beyoncé with her album Renaissance (2022) and Drake with Honestly, Nevermind (2022) are bringing house beats back into their music.
Artists like Kaytranada, Channel Tres, and Honey Dijon are showing that R&B and house music are still connected and will always be important. Thanks to social media, younger people are discovering '90s house remixes of R&B songs, proving that great music never goes away—it just waits for the right time to shine again.
Why This Era Still Matters
R&B and house music were more than just styles—they were about Black creativity, joy, and standing strong. They gave people a place to be themselves, pushed music forward, and made songs that still connect with us today.
Even though the music industry tried to push out house’s Black creators, today’s artists are bringing that history back. R&B and house music will always be together, waiting for the next big moment to show the world their power.
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