#1- Music

 For music I am a R&B type of girl. R&B music has evolved significantly over the years, blending influences from soul, funk, jazz, gospel, and even pop and hip-hop. At its core, R&B is about emotional depth, storytelling, and creating a connection with listeners. In recent years, artists like Kehlani and Drake have helped redefine the genre, bringing fresh sounds and perspectives that resonate with a global audience. Both artists have earned their place at the forefront of contemporary R&B, but they do so in distinct ways, each contributing their unique touch to the genre.

Kehlani’s music is a blend of sensuality, vulnerability, and raw honesty. She rose to prominence with a style that feels deeply personal, yet universally relatable. From the beginning of her career, with her Cloud 19 mixtape to her debut studio album SweetSexySavage, Kehlani has always been unafraid to delve into themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and empowerment. Her voice, soft but powerful, carries an emotional weight that resonates through each track. She seamlessly fuses elements of R&B with pop and even hip-hop, creating a sound that feels contemporary but timeless.

Her “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t” album, released in 2020, showed a more mature side of her artistry. The album’s mix of intimate, introspective tracks like “Toxic” and “Can I” highlighted her ability to express complicated emotions with simplicity and grace. Kehlani is also known for her collaborations, working with artists across genres, from Chance the Rapper to Cardi B. This versatility allows her to experiment with different sounds while maintaining the emotional core that defines her work.

One of Kehlani’s most defining traits is her authenticity. She’s never shied away from discussing her experiences with love, mental health, and sexuality. In a genre where vulnerability is often prized, Kehlani stands out for how candidly she shares her personal life, using it as a means of connection with her audience.

Kehlani's apple music

Drake, on the other hand, has carved out his own lane by blending rap with R&B, bringing a distinct emotional complexity to both genres. Though he’s primarily known as a rapper, many of his most iconic songs fall within the R&B realm, where his introspective, vulnerable lyrics shine. Tracks like “Marvins Room”, “Take Care”, and “Shot for Me” showcase his ability to explore complex emotional landscapes, from heartbreak to longing and regret. What sets Drake apart is his seamless fusion of hip-hop swagger with R&B tenderness, giving him the ability to explore both sides of the emotional spectrum.

Drake’s 2011 album Take Care remains one of his most influential R&B projects, where he blurred the lines between rap and R&B in a way that few artists had done before. The album’s melancholic vibe, marked by moody production and heartfelt lyrics, resonated deeply with fans. His 2016 project Views continued this exploration, incorporating more dancehall and Caribbean influences into his R&B-influenced tracks.

Drake's apple music

What makes Drake so successful in the R&B space is his authenticity. Like Kehlani, he wears his heart on his sleeve, but with a different approach—his emotional vulnerability is often mixed with a dose of braggadocio and self-awareness, making his music both relatable and aspirational. His ability to create anthems of both joy (“One Dance”) and pain (“Marvins Room”) has made him a mainstay in modern R&B.

Both Kehlani and Drake represent different aspects of contemporary R&B. Kehlani embodies the soulful, introspective side of the genre, while Drake merges rap and R&B to craft songs that speak to a wider range of emotions. Their influence on R&B today is undeniable, as they’ve helped shape the sound and direction of modern music. Whether it’s Kehlani’s tender, vulnerable expressions of love or Drake’s complex, sometimes conflicted takes on romance and self, both artists continue to push the boundaries of R&B, keeping it fresh and relevant in the ever-changing music landscape.