Big Band R&B: Who did it first? Who did it best?

Which songs are your faves? Check out this playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/big-band-r-b-key-songs/pl.u-WabZ5rRCdBG4RdXhttps://music.apple.com/us/playlist/big-band-r-b-key-songs/pl.u-WabZ5rRCdBG4RdX

For about 5 years I’ve been hearing that Beyoncé “stole” Amerie’s big band sound released in 2005. What’s so interesting is, they didn’t even want Amerie to have it, “1 Thing” was going to be J Lo’s song. I can see how Beyoncé took influence from Amerie, but only in their music videos.

For example, the “1 Thing” MV from 2005

Versus, Beyoncé’s “Green Light” from 2006.

The similarities are undeniable—the background, the band concept—one featuring all women, the other all men. Surprisingly, I actually prefer Amerie’s video.

"1 Thing" embodies everything that B’Day is—LOUD vocals, an explosion of instruments, etc. But to say Beyoncé “stole” Amerie’s sound would imply that Amerie was producing her own music. She wasn’t. Her sound was crafted by Rich Harrison, the same producer who worked with Beyoncé on her 2003 solo debut, Crazy in Love—which predates 1 Thing.

Rich Harrison had a hand in B’Day, and producers are known for having signature sounds. Naturally, when he produced "Suga Mama," it carried his signature style.

So, no, Beyoncé didn’t “steal” Amerie’s sound in 2005—she simply worked with the same producer. Producers often create beats for multiple artists, and their signature sounds carry across projects. However, I do believe Beyoncé drew some inspiration from music videos—just as she did with Lady Gaga during the I Am... Sasha Fierce era. B’Day is undeniably loud, but it’s still authentically Beyoncé.

Now, let’s talk about who may have actually been influenced.

Alicia Keys’ third album, released in 2007, is very clearly inspired by the big band sound. But Alicia never does things like everyone else. She took the Amerie/B’Day energy and reworked it into something uniquely hers.

The theme ties back to the old-school essence of Songs in A Minor. She carried that vintage vibe into As I Am, taking the big band sound and making it her own. Think about how loud No One is, or how retro Teenage Love Affair sounds. Yet, she brings her signature authenticity with collaborations like those with Jack White and John Mayer. It was an experimental album for her, but if we’re talking about influence—Alicia Keys. She did it so well that people rarely make the connection. Tracks like No One, Wreckless Love, and I Need You all carry that big band energy.

Beyoncé is often accused of “stealing” styles that weren’t really anyone’s to begin with. For years, people claimed she took from Aaliyah, but when it comes to solo Beyoncé, I don’t see Aaliyah’s influence. Truthfully, I believe those comparisons are part of what stifled the careers of artists like Ashanti and Amerie.

Let’s just acknowledge Beyoncé as the incredible artist she is—and give Alicia Keys her flowers for embracing and evolving that sound. I couldn’t listen to No One for a while because she belts that track so loud!

Listen to the playlist and let me know whose sound you vibed with most! 🪄