The hottest R&B Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

The Soul of the Soul of 1960s Soul

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 552 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🎶 Music R&B
  1. A revisionist take on 1960s soul spotlights artists like Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Etta James and Freddie King and a landmark 1966 Dallas TV show as crucial to post‑war American musical culture.
  2. All profits from the post are being donated to an immigrant legal services and defense fund, with a promise to publish receipts.
  3. The fundraising pitch is wrapped in a bizarre, attention‑grabbing anecdote about a community member’s run‑in with ICE and a withheld recording, used to drive subscriptions and support.

From "Iron Man" to D’Angelo: A year of music notes

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 285 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎶 Music R&B
  1. Some rock songs feel eternal—like 'Iron Man,' 'Smoke on the Water,' or 'Seven Nation Army'—they seem dug up rather than written.
  2. Drummers get a playful defense that if you can keep the beat, you can handle multiple partners, so drummers should be allowed to be polyamorous.
  3. Prince's solo on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is criticized as showy and self-indulgent, while 'Marquee Moon' by Television is offered as an example of a truly glorious guitar solo.

1980 to 1988: A MUSICAL CULTURE IN TRANSITION

The Nelson George Mixtape • 432 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎶 Music R&B
  1. Transition from R&B to hip hop in music culture between 1980 and 1988 was significant.
  2. 1980 showed dominance of self-contained bands in music sales, while 1988 marked rise of hip hop and solo stars.
  3. The shift in the music landscape led to decline of bands and vocal groups, giving rise to singular stars.

THE USHER BOWL

The Nelson George Mixtape • 196 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎶 Music R&B
  1. Usher, as a true soul singer, stands out from current R&B singers who heavily use autotune and rap-singing.
  2. Usher's confidence and immense stage presence make his performances, like his Vegas residency show, epic and engaging for the audience.
  3. Usher's upcoming album release and arena tour mark a significant moment in his four-decade career, with expectations of him integrating past performance traditions like never before.

"Money Don't Matter 2 Night," Prince (1992)

The Lost Songs Project • 216 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎶 Music R&B
  1. The song "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" by Prince is a socioeconomic battle cry with a sexy vibe.
  2. The song peaked at #14 on the R&B chart and #23 on the Hot 100, with 11.4 million streams.
  3. The post features guest columnists Jami Smith and Songs That Saved Your Life, offering unique insights and perspectives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

"Love Child" by Diana Ross & the Supremes (and bonus tracks)

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🎶 Music R&B
  1. Diana Ross and the Supremes were a major Motown group in the 1960s, known for their stylish performances and hit songs.
  2. Their success helped pave the way for future African-American artists in pop and soul music, with twelve of their singles hitting number one on the Billboard charts.
  3. Behind their hits, there were talented songwriters and musicians, although not all voices on their recordings belonged to the group members themselves.