Watch: Jordss moves through the history of R&B
From Ma Rainey and Motown to new jack swing, neo-soul and SZA.
Jordss, London DJ and founder of Girls Can't DJ, explores the history of R&B in the latest Listening Room session at 180 Studios, sharing records that chart the genre’s evolution from its blues and gospel roots.
“I haven’t really planned what I’m gonna play. I’m just gonna let the spirit take me,” she tells the room.
Drawing on her vinyl collection, Jordss moves between musical history and personal favourites. Along the way, she considers how changes in instrumentation, production and the relationship between R&B and hip-hop have shaped the music.
Beginning with Ma Rainey and Louis Jordan, Jordss explores the connections between sacred and secular music before moving into Motown selections from The Supremes, The Four Tops and Stevie Wonder.
From there, Jordss moves through soul, funk, disco, new jack swing, '00s R&B, and the present day.
Throughout, she returns to the influence of gospel. “I feel like you can’t really speak about R&B without speaking about gospel,” she says.
Watch Jordss' History of R&B above or on YouTube.
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