Rhythm and blues, also known today as "R&B", has been one of the most influential musical genres within African-American culture and have evolved over many years. decades of style and sound. Emerging in the late 1940s, rhythm and blues, sometimes called jump blues, became the dominant black popular music during and after World War II. Rhythm and blues artists often sang about love, relationships, life problems and sometimes focused on segregation and racial struggles. Rhythm and blues helped embody what was unique about black American culture and validate it as something distinctive and valuable. The term "rhythm and blues" was coined in 1947 by a white man named Jerry Wexler who was a reporter, editor and writer for Billboard. Review. Record labels that distributed fashionable black music charted: Harlem Hit Parade, Sepia, and Race Music. Wexler recognized that these names were demeaning to the black community, so he changed the name to a more tasteful and acceptable rhythm and blues. Wexler also signed and produced many of the most popular black singers of the past fifty years, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, LaVern Baker and Ruth Brown. Wexler was more than a top executive: he was a national trendsetter and a prophet of roots and rhythm. The impact of his actions matched his larger-than-life personality. Thanks to him, we use the term “rhythm and blues” and hail Ray Charles as “Genius” and Aretha Franklin as “Queen.” We knew a label called Stax and a little town called Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Kahn, 2008). Stax was renowned for its production of African-American music such as jazz, gospel, funk and blues. The most frequently used connotation of the term rhythm...... middle of paper ......e and in their own words. More than the music of many generations, it is the music that influenced a generation, sustained them in struggle and helped ease their pain. I believe this is one of the most remarkable and unique characteristics that makes African American culture one of a kind. is the music he produced. Even though African American music has evolved through various eras and styles, the influential melodic lines and rhythm have remained prominent and powerful. Rhythm and blues is constantly evolving and will continue to have a substantial impact on African American culture. .nytimes.com/books/first/w/ward-soul.htmlhttp://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jerry-wexler-the-man-who-invented-rhythm-blues-20080815