[cymbeline]

“R&B and Hip Hop, means a lot of auto-tune microphones and lip-synching”

Please explain as I know little about how music is performed these days. Also, what’s the purpose of the earpieces that the performers use?

[rockrr]

This u-toob video explains it pretty well. Auto-tune is an electronic pitch correction. It can make poor singers sound on pitch. Used incorrectly it can also make you sound like a robot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKK6L8X7S9Q

[MarkL]

Also, what’s the purpose of the earpieces that the performers use?

They're IEMs, or "In Ear Monitors."

Especially on larger stages, it's hard for performers to hear the other performers and vocals. It's also to allow personal mixes for the performers and eliminates a lot of monitor speakers scattered around the stage, which can also cause feedback.

Mark