Tamar Braxton has never been one to bite her tongue when it comes to voicing her opinion on a topic. And as always, Braxton was nothing short of candid when she weighed in on the state of R&B music and explained that she took issue with Rihanna being nominated for R&B Grammys.
Braxton’s frank conversation took place this week during an interview with Angie Martinez, during which she was asked to share her thoughts on R&B music and Sam Smith winning Best New Artist at the recent BET Awards. Although Braxton congratulated Smith, she explained why she feels he does not make R&B music.
“I definitely wouldn’t consider that R&B, though. No, not at all,” she said. “It’s very pop music to me.”
Braxton then explained her feelings on Rihanna being nominated for Best R&B Album at the Grammys.
“I had an issue with Rihanna being nominated at the Grammys for Best R&B Album. She doesn’t sing R&B music. She is a pop star. You know what I’m saying? I had an issue with that a little bit.
“I love her, though,” she added.
Martinez then asked Braxton what constitutes R&B music.
“It’s called rhythm and blues. Ribs and barbecue. It’s not twerk music. It’s soulful. That’s R&B music,” Braxton laughed.
Braxton then added another comment about Rihanna, “Every song of [Rihanna’s] that I’ve got my complete and utter life to has been [while] twerking. I love her and I’m one of her biggest fans period, but that’s not R&B music.”
Someone Braxton does think is R&B is Beyoncé.
“Beyoncé, for me, is more R&B than what Rihanna music would be considered,” Braxton said.
Well, we can understand why Braxton sees Rihanna that way considering she is one of pop music’s reigning queens and doesn’t have a traditional R&B voice. We just hope that Rihanna’s sees that Braxton did praise her talent and music, otherwise this could end up in yet another pointless music beef for Braxton.
