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Jan 3, 2024 · The 100 Best R&B Songs of the 21st Century: Usher, Mariah Carey, Frank Ocean, and more ... Solidifying its place as an all-time classic for R&B boy bands, “On the Hotline” not only pushed the ...
- 4 min
- Rolling Stone
- ‘U Remind Me’ – Usher
- ‘7 Days’ – Craig David
- ‘Them Changes’ – Thundercat
- ‘Blue Lights’ – Jorja Smith
- ‘Dumb’ – The 411
- ‘Don’t Think I’m Not’ – Kandi
- ‘Passionfruit’ – Drake
- ‘If You Love Me’ – Brownstone
- ‘Case of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)’ – Mya
- ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ – D’Angelo
There are so many Usher songs that could have made this list but ‘U Remind Me’ is the one for its melancholic soap opera-style tale and for the way it accentuates Usher’s syrupy vocals. Best R&B lyric: “You won’t believe all of the things she put me through/this is why I just can’t get with you“
The garage undertones and recognisable guitar line coupled with Craig David’s smooth-talking account of wooing a lady make ‘7 Days’ a bonafine UK R&B classic. Best R&B lyric: “Monday, took her for a drink on Tuesday/we were making love by Wednesday, and on Thursday and Friday and Saturday/we chilled on Sunday“
Using a sampled beat from the Isley Brothers’ ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ with Thundercat’s bubbly bass riff and woozy vocal lines, ‘Them Changes’ is a sterling R&B groove. Best R&B lyric: “Nobody move, there’s blood on the floor/and I can’t find my heart“
‘Blue Lights’ was our first introduction to the talent that is Jorja Smith, when she posted the track on her SoundCloud back in 2016. Since then, she’s collaborated with Drake, toured with Bruno Mars, won plenty of awards and so much more. Best R&B lyric: “I wanna turn those blue lights into strobe lights/not blue flashing lights, maybe fairy light...
British girl group The 411 might not have been around for too long but ‘Dumb’, released in 2004, was the pinnacle of their time together. Best R&B lyric: “Dumb diggi-diggi-di dumb di-dumb/and ‘though I know it would be fun to get some“
Kandi Burruss might be more recognisable as one of the main cast members of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ but her debut solo single remains her finest work to date. Best R&B lyric: “When you’re feeling good in somebody’s spot, getting hot, don’t stop/just don’t think I’m not ’cause I’m out getting mine“
Drake’s foray into tropical house was a success with ‘Passionfruit’, with the track giving off carefree, mellow vibes from start to finish, Best R&B lyric:“Passionate from miles away, passive with the things you say/passin’ up on my old ways, I can’t blame you, no, no“
If you’re after an emotional, harmony-filled R&B ballad, you can’t go wrong with Brownstone’s 1995 second single ‘If You Love Me’. Best R&B lyric: “But if you want my heart, then it’s time that you start/to act like you’re mine in the light and the dark“
The pairing of ‘Case Of The Ex’’s dramatic, percussive keyboard and Mya’s sweetly seething vocals give the track just the right amount of rage. Best R&B lyric: “Tell me what is it that she needs?/Did she hear about the brand new Benz, that you just bought for me?“
Originally composed as a tribute to Prince, you can definitely hear the latter’s influence in the soulful style and funky electric guitar of ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’. Best R&B lyric: “I wanna stop, silly little games you and me play/and I am feeling right on, if you feel the same way, baby“
Listen to the best contemporary R&B songs in 2024 on Spotify and YouTube above. Songs from Sza, Summer Walker, Snoh Aalegra, Ari Lennox, H.E.R., Ella Mai, Frank Ocean and more. Check out more of our playlists of the best contemporary R&B, Soul, Neo-Jazz and Hip Hop Soul here. Get a 2-MIN. read of the best of new-age Soul and R&B music.
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- Yo (Excuse Me Miss) by Chris Brown. In "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)," Chris Brown showcases his smooth vocals over a mesmerizing melody, delivering a soulful R&B anthem.
- Switch by 6LACK. "Switch" by 6LACK delves into themes of relationships and emotional vulnerability. The song's haunting production and 6LACK's distinctive voice add depth to its introspective lyrics.
- The Hills by The Weeknd. "The Hills" catapulted The Weeknd to mainstream success, solidifying his status as an R&B sensation. The song's dark and brooding atmosphere, combined with The Weeknd's raw vocals, create a captivating experience.
- Impatient by Jeremih & Ty Dolla $ign. In "Impatient," Jeremih and Ty Dolla $ign's seamless collaboration results in a seductive and groovy R&B gem. The song's catchy hook and smooth verses make it a standout track, blending sensuality and charm effortlessly.
Feb 7, 2022 · All the R&B groups and solo artists already mentioned are, of course, included with their most popular songs in our playlist of the 200 best R&B songs of all time. Many other R&B songs created before the 1980s are also on our list. From classic Rhythm & Blues to Contemporary R&B, our tracklist includes the essential songs from the music genre.
1. Channel Orange – Frank Ocean (2012) 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 Best Contemporary R&B Albums of All Time. 1. Prince - Sign O' the Times. 2. Michael Jackson - Thriller. 3. Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE. 4. Beyoncé - Lemonade.
