R&B & Soul Music Photography
In the aftermath of World War II, the combination of traditionally black genres jazz, blues, and gospel—when sanitized for white audiences—emerged as rock ’n’ roll. These same musical influences—filtered through the American black experience in the civil-rights era—resulted in the birth of R&B and Soul music.
Detroit-based Motown Records was a major player in producing refined, pop-oriented Soul like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, but was also responsible for the socially conscious songs of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Memphis’ Stax Records gave rise to Southern Soul—a raw, gritty, horn-driven sound—with artists like and Isaac Hayes.
By the end of the ’60s, artists like James Brown and Sly Stone were at the forefront of funk—a groove-centered sound with a strong and consistent downbeat—and samples of funk and Soul percussion breaks served as the backbone of hip-hop. The line of evolution from jazz and blues to Soul and R&B to funk and hip-hop reflects the changing times, but all have been significant in recognizing and celebrating black American culture.
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James Brown
by Barrie Wentzell
Starting at $1,500 -
James Brown
by Allan Tannenbaum
Starting at $2,400 -
James Brown
by Andy Freeberg
Starting at $1,200 -
James Brown
by Ebet Roberts
Starting at $900 -
James Brown
by Ian Dickson
Starting at $1,300 -
James Brown
by Jérôme Brunet
Starting at $500 -
Aretha Franklin
by Barrie Wentzell
Starting at $1,500 -
Aretha Franklin
by Barrie Wentzell
Starting at $1,500 -
Aretha Franklin
by Jérôme Brunet
Starting at $500 -
Marvin Gaye
by Jim Britt
Starting at $1,200 -
Marvin Gaye
by Jim Britt
Starting at $1,200 -
Marvin Gaye
by Gijsbert Hanekroot
Starting at $1,050 -
Marvin Gaye
by Adrian Boot
Starting at $600 -
Marvin Gaye
by Adrian Boot
Starting at $600 -
Marvin Gaye
by Andy Freeberg
Starting at $1,200 -
Marvin Gaye
by Ebet Roberts
Starting at $900 -
Michael Jackson & Diana Ross
by Andy Freeberg
Starting at $1,200 -
Otis Redding
by Jim Britt
Starting at $900 -
Smokey Robinson
by Neil Zlozower
Starting at $400 -
Smokey Robinson
by Ebet Roberts
Starting at $900 -
Smokey Robinson
by Ebet Roberts
Starting at $900 -
Tina Turner & Mick Jagger
by Ebet Roberts
Starting at $900 -
Diana Ross
by Barrie Wentzell
Starting at $1,500 -
Diana Ross
by Gijsbert Hanekroot
Starting at $1,050