I think there's also something to be said about the idea of individuality (culturally and imposed), familiarity (young black artists didn't necessarily grow up on bands), production technology (learning an instrument vs learning to make beats), and record labels acting like that don't know how to promote a band... and perhaps even the expense of signing/promoting a band vs an individual.

That all being said, I think we should stay away from language like they're aren't ANY r&b bands. And I would love a post we're folks just list the current r&b bands.

-The Internet
-Phony Ppl
-Hiatus Kaiyote (they count?)
-Astralblak (fka Zuluzuluu) (local, perhaps more funk than r&b but genres are hard for me)
-Free Nationals
-Durand Jones and the Indications
-The Suffers
-Moonchild
-Holy Hive (i don't know if their material is as r&b, but they were Kirby's band on her Sis. ep, one of the best r&b releases this year)
-Thee Sacred Souls
-79.5
-The Sinseers

Who else?