What is New Jack Swing?

New jack swing (also called swingbeat) is a subgenre of R&B that emerged in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and a combination of hip hop, R&B, and pop influences. New jack swing is often regarded as the antecedent of hip-hop soul, contemporary R&B, and hip-hop-influenced rhythm and blues.

The term "new jack swing" was first used by DJs and music critics in the early 1980s to describe a new sound emerging in the hip-hop scene. This sound was characterized by its use of swing beats (a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes the off-beats), as well as its blending of R&B, funk, and hip-hop elements.

The development of new jack swing can be attributed to several factors, including the influence of hip-hop culture, the rise of drum machines and samplers, and the collaboration of hip-hop and R&B producers and artists. Key pioneers of new jack swing include Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, and Keith Sweat, among others.

Some of the most successful and iconic new jack swing artists and songs include:

- Teddy Riley & Guy - "My Fantasy" (1988)

- Keith Sweat - "I'll Give All My Love to You" (1987)

- Bobby Brown - "Every Little Step" (1988)

- Bell Biv DeVoe - "Poison" (1990)

- New Edition - "If It Isn't Love" (1990)

- Boyz II Men - "End of the Road" (1992)

New jack swing enjoyed significant popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, charting numerous hit songs and influencing the development of contemporary R&B. Its legacy can still be heard in various contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop productions.