BPM by genre

R&B

Curated by se7en beatlab · updated September 2026

Soul · 3 subgenres mapped

70 BPM typical

Range: 60–90 BPM

Contemporary R&B is slow and spacious, usually 60–90 BPM with the low 70s as the pocket. Like trap, much of it is felt in half-time, which is what gives R&B its smooth, unhurried groove. Trap-soul is the exception, written at trap tempos (~140).

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Subgenres

Subgenre	Typical	Range
Contemporary / alternative R&B	72	60–85
90s/2000s R&B	80	65–95
Trap-soul	140	130–150

Typical structure

Intro → verse → chorus → verse → chorus → bridge (vocal run/ad-libs) → outro. Vocal-led with room for runs and harmonies.

Production notes

Leave space — R&B is about the vocal, the pocket, and the chords. Program drums with swing and ghost notes; keep the bass warm and rounded. Lush, extended chords (7ths, 9ths) and a half-time feel define it. Around 70 BPM (or 140 felt in half-time) is the comfortable center.

Related genres

More in this family

Funk

FAQ

How fast is R&B, in BPM?

R&B is typically 60–90 BPM, with the low 70s being most common. It's often felt in half-time.

What BPM is trap-soul?

Trap-soul borrows trap tempos, usually written around 130–150 BPM but felt in half-time.

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R&B