Grammy Award winning producer Chuck Harmony has one goal and that’s reintroducing the “swag” to rhythm and blues. No, he is not attempting to create a new dance move or change the fashion style; rather he is assembling a group of R&B ambassadors that fans from all genres will view as icons.
In his recent interview with Singersroom, Harmony discusses the pitfalls hurting the R&B genre, connecting with youth culture, the Grammy awards cutting R&B brackets and much more.
Grammy’s Downsizing R&B Categories… I think they should have left if open for both sexes. It gives people more of an opportunity to actually win a prestige award. What they’re really doing, especially in black music, by consolidating, deserving people won’t even get an opportunity to be nominated because it is so consolidated.
The Industry Killing R&B… We did it to ourselves, we let the genre die. What happen was so many of our talented people stepped on the Pop train and they forsaken their own music. We all just jumped on the Pop train because we thought that was winning. It was winning but I think we owe it to ourselves and to a genre we actually created to keep it moving.
R&B Should Look Like… I think R&B just needs to be fly again. We need to get some young fly people doing it. A lot of times, the R&B artists at this stage are older in age, they’re like in their late twenties/early thirties. Imagine if Rihanna was doing R&B; she’s young, she’s fly, she don’t give a sh*t. If that was in an R&B format, it would win. We have to introduce it to the young people.
Difference between R&B and Pop… The difference is the soul element. Music is music and to classify music to me is actually a sin but in that classification, the one thing that makes R&B different is the soul element of it. At a certain point, we were so against the neo-soul movement that we took soul out of R&B music and it just became Pop music. You can tell that in the evolution of artist…a lot people started off R&B and went Pop.
Neo-soul A Bad Word… To a lot of people, including myself, neo-soul is a bad word because I look at it like soul is soul. I don’t know what the hell neo-soul is but soul is soul music. Even though the founders of neo-soul were D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, they weren’t neo-soul they were soul people.
New Enterprise Plan… I am looking to literally put R&B on my back and try to be one of the ambassadors. I know I can’t do it by myself but I can be one person that finds a young a hot something. Making those same great songs I have been making throughout my career but just putting them on somebody young, hip and fly. And try to introduce it to the eighteen and nineteen year olds.
Importance of Capturing 18-21 Year Olds… Because people look to them to determine what is fly. The people I work with, I really believe they are fly, I really believe they can sell a billion records but I think people look to eighteen or nineteen year olds to determine what is hip and cool now. Really thirty years olds are cool, forty year olds are cool but a lot of times, especially in black music, [people lose interest in older acts]. Look at white music; Dave Matthews is still cool, playing the guitar and being forty whatever is cool to the younger generation.
R&B Lifestyle Elements… It’s even less about the song and more about the lifestyle. We got to a point where it is not cool to be an R&B singer. It is not cool to listen to it. It’s cool to listen to Lil Wayne; that is some stuff we have to bring back to the table; the artistry and lifestyle.
There is $$$ in Soul… I really feel like the tides are changing because people are really not selling records. What we thought was working is really not working that well. So they searching and they have to come back to something. Then you have soul artist like Adele twelve/thirteen million records worldwide. She made big impression on the music business this year. That soul sh*t; we may have to revisit that!
—— By: Interview By Staff
Chuck Harmony is an R&B artist with a unique, soulful sound that has captivated audiences around the world. Not only is he talented on stage, but he’s also become known as the chief ambassador of contemporary R&B music. Chuck’s influence in the genre has been felt for nearly two decades and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With his signature style that blends neo-soul, hip hop, funk and jazz elements together into one powerful sonic experience, it’s easy to see why fans flock to him wherever he goes. In this article we will explore how Chuck Harmony became the beloved figurehead of modern R&B music and what sets him apart from other artists in the genre.
Biography Of Chuck Harmony
Chuck Harmony is a music producer and songwriter who has been dubbed R&B’s chief ambassador. His career began in the mid-90s, when he co-founded production company RedZone Entertainment with Rodney Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels. Since then, Chuck has collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip hop, pop, and R&B to create chart topping hits. He is best known for his work on Rihanna’s hit singles “Umbrella” and “We Found Love” as well as Beyonce’s single “Halo”.
In addition to producing, Chuck also composes songs for other artists such as Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, John Legend and Ne-Yo. He is also credited for helping launch the careers of many young new artists such as Jhene Aiko and Brandy. As an accomplished songwriter/producer, Chuck continues to work at the top tier of the industry by producing tracks that become instant classics.
Not only contributing to popular culture through music but also raising awareness regarding social issues that are important to him; Chuck uses his platform to support causes like mental health awareness and anti-racism initiatives through collaborations with organizations like The Human Rights Campaign (HRC). It is clear that Chuck Harmony will continue to be a force within the music industry while being a strong advocate for positive change.
His Musical Contributions To R&B
Chuck Harmony has made a significant impact on the R&B genre. He is responsible for producing some of the biggest hits in recent years and his musical contributions have helped shape modern music culture. His production style blends elements of both hip-hop and soul, creating an infectious sound that appeals to audiences around the world.
Through his work with artists like Rihanna and Beyonce, Chuck has been able to bring new life into classic R&B sounds. By infusing contemporary production techniques with traditional rhythm and blues melodies, he creates an unmistakable vibe that captivates listeners from all walks of life. This unique fusion of styles allows Chuck’s productions to stand out from other producers within the industry.
From collaborating with top stars to helping up-and-coming talent break through, Chuck Harmony continues to be one of the most influential forces in today’s music scene. Through his incredible songwriting abilities and innovative production skills, he has been able to create timeless pieces of art while being an advocate for positive social change. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, it is clear that Chuck will continue to make major waves in the music industry for many years to come.
Conclusion
I. Summary of Chuck Harmony’s Career
Chuck Harmony has made an impressive impact on the R&B music industry over his career. He has produced and written for some of the most influential artists in modern R&B, including Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and John Legend. His musical contributions have helped to shape the genre into what it is today.
II. Impact of Chuck Harmony’s Work
The success that Chuck Harmony has achieved as a producer and songwriter makes him one of the most important figures in contemporary R&B music. He has earned a reputation as one of its chief ambassadors, helping to elevate the genre through his work with major recording artists. His influence can be felt throughout popular culture today, evident in many up-and-coming musicians’ sound and style.
III. Conclusion
It can be argued that without Chuck Harmony’s contribution to R&B, much of the genre would not exist in its current form today. His passion for creating new sounds and pushing boundaries within pop music has been invaluable and will continue to inspire generations of future producers and songwriters alike. I’m sure we’ll hear more from Chuck Harmony in years to come!
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