Reneé Rapp is opening up about her musical direction — and showing deep respect for the cultural roots of R&B.
During a soundcheck Q&A at her Bite Me Tour stop in Austin, Texas, the popular entertainer addressed online speculation that her next project would lean into R&B. Known for her powerful vocals and emotional songwriting, Rapp told fans she doesn’t consider her music part of the genre — and explained her reasoning with honesty and humility.
“Any non-Black person that makes anything that can be deemed remotely soulful or R&B… historically will always be praised and uplifted much more than people who are actually Black and make R&B music,” she said during the session. “I would never consider an album of mine at any point to be R&B because in my opinion, R&B is just tied to something much more culturally significant than me.”
Reneé Rapp on being inspired by Black musicians and why she hasn’t made an R&B album:
“Any non-Black person that makes anything that can be deemed remotely soulful or R&B…historically will always be praised and uplifted much more than people who are actually Black and make R&B… pic.twitter.com/T4ghX4Fzus
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 23, 2025
Rapp’s thoughtful comments immediately resonated with fans, many of whom applauded her self-awareness and cultural sensitivity. On social media, clips of the exchange spread quickly. Her answer sparked discussions about artistic responsibility and how non-Black performers navigate genres rooted in Black culture.
Her remarks also come amid growing conversations about cultural appreciation versus appropriation in music. Especially as genre lines blur in the streaming era. Artists across pop and soul often face questions about influence, authenticity, and recognition — topics Rapp addressed head-on.
Reneé Rapp Addresses R&B Album Rumors
Rapp’s style incorporates soulful undertones. Her refusal to label it as R&B reflects a deliberate choice to honor the genre’s origins. It also shows a clear understanding of how systemic inequities have historically shaped who gets celebrated for certain sounds.
For Rapp, it’s about intention and integrity. By acknowledging her place outside of R&B’s lineage, she positioned herself as an artist who values cultural respect over categorization.
“R&B is tied to something much more culturally significant than me,” she emphasized. It’s a reminder, she said, that some traditions deserve reverence, not reinvention.
