Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman Thinks “R&B Has Lost Its Identity”

June 30, 2022

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Boyz II Men‘s Shawn Stockman has had a lot to say about the music business lately.

The vocal icon recently trended after making tweets that (seemingly) related to the controversy surrounding the Omarion vs. Mario Verzuz.

Viewers of the anticipated battle argued that it was highly unprofessional and underprepared, leaving room for fans’ disappointment that subsequently filled everyone’s social media timelines.

Along with supporters of the participating artists, even industry heavy-hitters like Q Parker of 112 spoke out, expressing his discontent with the way the show went.

This is what Shawn Stockman had to say:

I don’t wanna see any more artists’ jewelry on social media. No more videos of their cars cribs or money. From now on, I wanna see videos of artists in rehearsal! Your jewelry don’t mean shit if u can’t perform! Man this music business is weird!
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

I’m watching artists squander their blessings by not doing what it takes to have a longstanding career in this music business! It’s heartbreaking! It’s all about optics, no soul, no conviction. No intention to last any longer than just a few streams.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

I don’t care about your clothes, how fly u look, how much u spent on your damn ring! If u don’t put the work in where it counts, Diamond ring and all, u still suck! Shout out to the artists I know and respect who do the work to be great! I love y’all, even if the world doesn’t.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

Labels signing these artists and not willing to help make them great should be ashamed of themselves. You pimpin these kids for their raw gift and not giving them the tools to stick around. It’s gross.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

Protecting them from themselves, teaching them through their music about life. Me and my guyz were blessed to have that guidance. Do we always perform perfectly, hell no! But we put the work in always wanting to be better. Effort is what I wanna see.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

Rehearsal is the new flex!
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 27, 2022

However, Stockman’s opinions about the newer generation of R&B didn’t stop there.

Yesterday, he had some more views to share about the genre, and in doing so, he stated that he felt that R&B’s identity had been robbed by the “bravado of the Hip Hop world.”

Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman on the state of R&B:

R&B has lost their identity because it felt like it had to compete with the bravado of the hip hop world. Because labels stopped supporting the perception of Black men being more than displaying a “thug image”.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 29, 2022

He then further elaborated on the fact that most singers in that area of artistry are seen as “soft.”

There was a time when it was kool to identify as an R&B singer. It was kool that there was a clear distinction between a rapper and a singer, persona wise. And it was respected. It wasn’t viewed as being “soft” to be smooth and to speak to ladies a certain way.
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 29, 2022

Stockman concluded his rant by making it known that R&B crooners don’t get as much love as they used to, offering his support to those who are currently up and coming.

Let me disclaim, my tweets are not to say there aren’t any great singers out there. There always have been great singers, but the love they get is disproportionate. So let’s do this: send me some artists y’all think are ? and I’ll repost! I’ll go first…
— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) June 29, 2022

What are your thoughts? Do you believe this to be true? Let us know in the comments below!

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