Contemporary R&B (also known as simply R&B) is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk. Although the abbreviation "R&B" originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in the 1980s. Some sources refer to the style as urban contemporary (the name of the radio format that plays hip hop and contemporary R&B). Contemporary R&B has a polished record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, an occasional saxophone-laced beat to give a jazz feel (mostly common in contemporary R&B songs prior to the year 1993), and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. Electronic influences are becoming an increasing trend, and the use of hip hop or dance inspired beats are typical, although the roughness and grit inherent in hip hop may be reduced and smoothed out. Contemporary R&B vocalists are often known for their use of melisma, popularized by vocalists such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

As the disco era came to a close, a new generation of producers began adding synthesizers and slick drum machine beats to African American music. Michael Jackson and Prince were among the first post-disco black musicians to cross over to mainstream audiences. In its early years, mainstream R&B was very pop-oriented. Notable 1980s R&B musicians include Luther Vandross, the SOS Band, Mtume, Freddie Jackson, DeBarge, Loose Ends, and Stephanie Mills. During the mid 1990s, Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, TLC, SWV and Boyz II Men brought contemporary R&B to the mainstream. Janet Jackson's self-titled fifth studio album janet. (1993), which came after her historic multi-million dollar contract with Virgin Records, sold over twenty million copies worldwide.[7][8] Boyz II Men and Carey recorded several Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits, including "Fantasy", "One Sweet Day", a collaboration between both acts, which became the longest-running #1 hit in Hot 100 history. Carey, Boyz II Men and TLC released albums in 1994 and 1995Daydream, II , and CrazySexyCool respectively that sold over ten million copies, earning them diamond and also making them the best selling female R&B group of all time. RIAA certification.

The popularity of neo soul continues into the 21st century. Prominent 2000s neo soul artists include Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Dwele, and Kem. By the 2000s, the cross-pollination between R&B and hip hop had increased. Mainstream modern R&B has a sound more based on rhythm than hip hop soul had, and lacks the hardcore and soulful urban "grinding" feel on which hip-hop soul relied. That rhythmic element descends from new jack swing. R&B began to focus more on solo artists rather than groups as the 2000s progressed. Some of the most prominent R&B musicians today include artists such as Michael Jackson, Beyonc?, Ashanti, Ciara, R. Kelly, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, [[Chris Brown (American singer) Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Jay Sean, and Trey Songz.[citation needed] As the 2010s approaches, R&B music begins to revert back to more traditional elements along with an emerging hybrid with dance and electronica music that is popular in the current decade. Also, there are some international R&B artists, because of course, R&B has spread to other countries.