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Who are the 35 Greatest R&B artists of all time?
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Jan 3, 2024 · The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century. Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Mariah Carey, and more. By Rolling Stone. January 3, 2024. Photo illustration by Maria-Juliana Rojas. Photographs in ...
- Michael Jackson. Motown Sound, Rock music, Electronic music. 1,450 votes. The undisputed King of Pop, he began his career as a member of the iconic group The Jackson 5 before skyrocketing to solo superstardom.
- Stevie Wonder. Motown Sound, Psychedelic soul, Pop music. 1,060 votes. Blind since birth, this multi-instrumentalist prodigy defied all odds by becoming one of the most successful and beloved musicians in history.
- Marvin Gaye. Doo-wop, Motown Sound, Rock music. 1,033 votes. A soulful crooner who revolutionized R&B with his distinctive voice and emotive lyrics, he also played a crucial role in the evolution of Motown Records.
- Aretha Franklin. Pop music, Rock music, Rhythm and blues. 804 votes. Dubbed the Queen of Soul, her powerful voice and emotive delivery made her an unstoppable force in the world of R&B and beyond.
- Michael Jackson. A dynamic force as the pre-teen frontman of chart-topping family group The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson moonwalked his way into solo superstardom.
- Stevie Wonder. Over the course of his five-decade career, Steveland Morris has often been dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. Blind since birth but blessed with natural gifts as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Stevie Wonder is one of the few artists able to successfully transition from teen to adult stardom.
- Smokey Robinson. With his piercing green eyes, sweet falsetto and prolific pen, William “Smokey” Robinson has kept females swooning since the ‘60s when he and his group The Miracles helped put Motown on the map with such love-charged hits as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Ooo Baby Baby.”
- Ray Charles. Nicknamed “The Genius” for his skills as a singer, songwriter, musician and composer, Ray Charles set off a firestorm in 1955. That’s when he scored his first No. 1 single, “I’ve Got a Woman” — and simultaneously pioneered the soul genre with his game-changing combination of R&B, gospel and blues.
Contemporary R&B Artist Highlights. Bruno Mars. John Legend. Miguel. Mary J. Blige. D'Angelo. Lauryn Hill. TLC. Kelis. Erykah Badu. Terence Trent D'Arby. Whitney Houston. Bilal. Luther Vandross. Babyface. Tony Rich. BeBe & CeCe Winans. Solange. Wyclef Jean. Jamila Woods. Rihanna. Lionel Richie. Toni Braxton. Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson.
- Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
- Mother – Cleo Sol
- Ctrl – Sza
- Black Messiah – D’Angelo and The Vanguard
- A Seat at The Table – Solange
- Freudian – Daniel Caesar
- Malibu – Anderson .Paak
- House of Balloons – The Weeknd
- Chasing Summer – Sir
- Shea Butter Baby – Ari Lennox
Frank Ocean is certainly one of the most influential artists in contemporary R&B. His 2012 album, Channel Orange is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern R&B. Channel Orange followed his seminal EP, Nostalgia, Ultra. The album features a blend of soulful ballads and experimental tracks, all anchored by Ocean’s rich and emotive vocals. Stand-ou...
Across featherlight tones Cleo decorates her second solo album, Mother. A tribute to herself as a mother, her mother and in doing so, encapsulates generational truths of women. This beautifully orchestrated project is brought to cinematic life through producer, Inflo – one of the real heroes of music in 2021. Cleo is truly sensational. Since the re...
SZA made her mark as a cult favourite in R&B with her debut album Ctrl, a stunning showcase of her songwriting and vocal abilities. The album explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, with SZA’s raw and vulnerable lyrics paired with innovative production that draws from a range of influences. Standout tracks include the introspective “Drew...
After a 14-year hiatus, D’Angelo returned withBlack Messiah, an album that showcased his pioneering blend of Soul, Funk and R&B. Notably, this pioneering sound spawned the Neo-Soul movement that continues to wax strong till today. Black Messiah features a range of collaborators, from Questlove to Kendra Foster, and explores themes of social justice...
Solange’s A Seat at the Table is a stunning work of art that explores themes of black womanhood, identity, and empowerment. Furthermore, this R&B album placed Solange in an elite artistic league. The album blends R&B, Jazz, Funk and even Hip Hop influences creating a rich and textured sound. Standout tracks include the dreamy Cranes in the Sky, the...
Daniel Caesar’s Freudian is a soulful and introspective masterpiece album. Daniel Caesar brings his church kid background to the fore on Freudian. Moreover, Freudian masterfully uses R&B devices like nay-hoos and doo-wops. The blend of R&B and Gospel influences creates a lush, heavenly sound. The standout tracks including the soulful Get You, We Fi...
With his 2016 debut, Anderson .Paak’s Malibu was solidified in stunning debut R&B albums. Malibu is a funky, yet eclectic album that showcases that .Paak is both a powerful vocalist and exceptional multi-instrumentalist. The album’s blend of R&B, Hip-Hop and Funk creates a unique and immersive sound. Again standout tracks include the soulful The Bi...
The Weeknd’s House of Balloons is one of the landmark R&B albums that helped to define the sound of modern R&B. The album’s dark and moody production, paired with The Weeknd’s seductive vocals, creates a deeply atmospheric listening experience. Standout tracks include the hauntingHigh For This, the seductive Wicked Games, and the emotionalThe Knowi...
Born and raised in Inglewood California, singer, songwriter and record producer, SiR’s project Chasing Summer, indicated by the name, is a bonafide summer jam project.
Born in Washington D.C, 28-year-old, Ari Lennox is singed to J-Cole’s record label, Dreamville Records. On the Cole-featured single, Shea Butter Baby, Ari effortlessly oozes sultry passion and the album with the same monicker delivers.
Dec 26, 2023 · December 26, 2023. I’ve put together an essential list of the best R&B artists of all time, celebrating the voices and talents that have defined and evolved the rhythm and blues genre. This collection highlights the timeless music and influential legacies that continue to inspire fans and musicians alike.
Dec 14, 2023 · Voting Rules. Only R&B artists releasing new music in 2020. Update: Follow Ranker's official New R&B 2020 playlist on Spotify! Here are the best R&B artists of 2020, ranked by fans everywhere. Featuring the hottest R&B artists right now, like Khalid, H.E.R., and Lizzo, this list only includes artists releasing the best new R&B in 2020.
