Characteristics/Symptoms:

 

• A hybrid style that fuses the rhythms, samples, beats and production techniques of hip-hop with dance-pop and an urban contemporary 

• Name derives from the Swing beats heard in hip hop tracks created by drum machines.

• Contemporary R&B singing

• Soulful solo or harmonizing vocals sung over beats from urban influences

• True hiphop acts criticized the genre by abusing the popularity of hiphop and demeaning it's style without incorporating it's true message.

• Ice Cube criticized it in one of his songs: It ain't no pop 'cause that sucks/And you can new jack swing on my nuts."

• Combined olders styles with upcoming new trends.

• Ghostbusters II helped spread it's notoriety,

• Bobby Brown was known as the "King of New Jack Swing."

• Fresh Prince of Bel Air, A Different World and In Living Colour gave it fame in the television world. As well as music shows Video Soul, Showtime at the Apollo and Soul Train.

• Dangerous by Michael Jackson is the most successful New Jack Swing record.

• Boomerang and Boyz n The Hood used New Jack Swing soundtracks.

• Pop music usually performed by black musicians.

• "Most pop-oriented blues since 60s Motown" 

• Didn't use sampled beats but created new beats witha 1200 sampler and a Roland TR 808 drum machine.

• Insistent beats with light melody lines and clearly spoken vocals.

• Key producers of the genre were Babyface (Paula Adbul, Michael Jackson, Boys II Men) and Teddy Riley (Bobby Brown, Guy, Blackstreet)

• Janet Jackson was one of the forefronters with her album "Control"

• The producers were commerical professionals and the singers didn't have artistic pretentions and were more entertainers.

• Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson have been major influence on this style. Vocalists also immitate the singing range of Stevie Wonder.

 

Paraphrased from Last FM and Wiki

 

--Fact: Grand Theft Auto created a radio channel on their videogame that focuses exclusively on New Jack Swing

 

1986-1995

 

Anthems:

 

1. Michael Jackson- In The Closet

2. Montell Jordan- This is How We Do It

3. Madonna- Erotica

4. TLC- Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg

5. SWV- Right Here

6. Redhead Kingpin- Do The Right Thing

7. Jade- Don't Walk Away

8. Tracie Spencer- Symptoms of True Love

9. Joe Public- Live and Learn

10. II D'Extreme- Cry No More

11. Bobby Brown- Don't Be Cruel

12. En Vogue- My Lovin'

13. Boyz II Men- Motownphilly

14, Wreckx-N-Effect- New Jack Swing

15. Guy- Groove Me

16, Michael Jackson- She Drives Me Wild

17. Aaron Hall- Don't Be Afraid

18. Ralph Tresvant- Sensitivity

19. Bell Biv DeVoe- Poison

20. Keith Sweat- I Want Her

21. Janet Jackson- Miss You Much

22. Color Me Badd- I Wanna Sex You Up

23, Hi Five- I Like The Way

24. Troop- Spreading My Wings

25. Michael Jackson- Remember The Time

26. Soul II Soul- Back To Life

27. Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract