When would you all say rhythm & blues/Soul music went on a decline?
 

The late 80s - early 90s for me.

What about you guys and gals?

I wouldn't.

Pop music in general (not only black music) came to a decline as the medias were taking over the labels compagnies. It slowly started in the mid 80s after the success of Thriller and it became obvious in the late 90s. Yet many artists are still doing good stuffs but they are not mainstreamed.

late 70s/early 80s I think

the 60s and 70s were a great time for soul & Rnb, but since disco & synthesisers started I feel like it all went downhill

though some good stuff happened later on too

Early 90's for sure.. I wanna say around '93 or so it was over for me.. The sound changed too much or just didn't sound that good to me anymore..


Same with the Club Dance music.. there aren't nearly as many favorite records of mine I like after '93.. as the sound was changing into something different that I never cared for. There are some exceptions but not much :) I think '97 was the nail in the coffin as I didn't hear any oldschool House/Club sound anymore.

What are some of the last songs or albums you remember enjoying before things went downhill in early 90's?

An artist like Geoffrey Williams did many great soul stuffs in the 90s and later on. I also recommand the Brand New Heavies with their albums from 1994 and 2006.
Finally the LP The Way I See It from Raphael Saadik was a brillant release as well.

Declined in which way(s)?

For rhythm and blues/soul specifically ?

Any Love by Luther Vandross but after that, it was over

When artists were creating ****


The golden era for that genre for sure!

In my opinion, the rise of rap and hip-hop brought about the demise of classic soul and rhythm & blues. These days anyone that thinks they're a poet or singer can get on stage and swear into a Mic and call it music. I really miss the good old days on 80's soul.