R&B is dead because of lack of spirituality, empathy and, dare i say it "God."
I say God because God is love...and nowadays people want God out of their music so that they can participate in a secular (godless) lifestyle. People may not believe this but African-American culture used to very spiritual and religious, which meant this lifestyle was passed on to their music. However, in today's times, you can see why R&B is so bad because R&B requires empathy, love, sensuality, intimacy, relationship, respect, honor....all of these things are synonymous with "God"...

you take God (or a God-centered lifestyle) out of the lifestyle of a music artist and all you get is an empty and self-centered style of music....you can hear what's missing in R&B if you really decide to listen....instead of catering or worshipping your "flesh"