Rhythm and blues retained an emphasis on vocals while adding a more pronounced beat characteristic of the blues. It has developed since the early 1950s into hundreds of subgenres, each with its own audience, record labels and radio formats. A brisk form of Jamaican-born rock derived from reggae and rock energy. The name for a type of rhythm and blues built on elements of gospel and spiritual music. Often, practitioners such as Sam Cooke maintained two careers simultaneously in soul and popular music.
Instrumentation includes washboards and accordions, though more generally, electric instruments.