Reneé Rapp Addresses R&B Album Controversy During Texas Performance

AUSTIN, Texas (Oct. 23, 2025) — Reneé Rapp performed at the Moody Amphitheater on Wednesday, October 22, as part of her BITE ME tour. The concert featured opener Ravyn Lenae and showcased songs from Rapp’s recent album, BITE ME, which released in August.

Before the show, Rapp participated in a soundcheck and addressed a question regarding the possibility of her making an R&B album. The singer expressed her ambivalence, stating, “I feel two ways about this. A) 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…which has just been true…”

Rapp continued to explain her influential inspirations, stating, “Every single one of most important inspirations are Black men and women who are in R&B or in rock music…There will always be influences of those artists and of that music genre in my music.” She elaborated, saying, “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.”

The singer’s statement sparked a significant online reaction. Many took to social media to share their perspectives. Comments ranged from criticisms of Rapp’s hesitancy to enter the genre to supports for her stance. One user remarked, “White savior syndrome. She’s desperate for that black approval lmao,” while another mentioned, “If you want to make an R&B album as a white artist, why not do so but then collaborate with up and coming Black R&B artists as well?”

Rapp’s ongoing BITE ME tour supports her latest album, which includes 12 tracks with a runtime of 32 minutes and 22 seconds. The tour continues into the coming months, gaining attention with each performance.