The 75 Best R&B Artists of All Time (Full List): Staff Picks

What a difference 10 years can make. That was the last time Billboard tackled the monumental feat of ranking the top R&B artists, dating back to the ‘50s. Michael Jackson, whose grew from his R&B roots to capture the King of Pop crown, ruled over that 2015 tally. Now as the music industry and fans celebrate Black Music Month 2025, Billboard is picking up the “best of all time” gauntlet once again.

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Expanding from 35 to 75 entries, this latest iteration kicked off Monday (June 16) with the reveal of the artists ranked 75-51, with subsequent daily unveilings through June 18 when the artists ranked 25-11 were introduced. Now the countdown concludes with the reveal of the list’s top 10 honorees in tandem with today’s Juneteenth holiday (June 19).

Staff discussions on how to go about determining the entries and rankings were, to say the least, heated. Helping to fuel these illuminating and sometimes raucous discourses were generational debates over old school vs. new school. At the same time, “Mount Rushmore” debates were also raging on the social media front, as fans weighed in on which R&B artists — like Jackson, Chris Brown, Luther Vandross, R. Kelly and Usher — truly deserve to have their images carved in stone for all time.

In the end, Billboard staffers agreed on the following criteria: vocal prowess, body of work, career longevity, industry achievements, game-changing influence and enduring generational/cultural impact. While some singers who made the list are also known for their lyrical skills, songwriting wasn’t a major deciding factor in this instance. And legendary singers best known for fronting groups versus their solo work were not included — which means a ranking of the best R&B groups of all time is no doubt in the offing.

In the meantime, any best-of compilation automatically invites naysayers to the party. As these 75 singers are revealed, the expectant clamor will rise in response to our staff’s effrontery in deciding who’s now on or off the list, who’s risen or been dropped or who still has never made this latest version or the 2015 ranking.

More crucial, however, is understanding a chief intention behind Billboard’s 75 Best R&B Singers of All Time. It’s a teachable moment at a time when Black history, culture and its achievements are being erased or revised across the board. Black Music Month originated in 1979 via the efforts of the observance’s co-founders Dyana Williams, Kenneth Gamble and Ed Wright. And each year it drives home an insightful comment made by author/activist Maya Angelou: “You can’t know where you are going until you know where you have been.”

So here’s to the rich past and the unlimited future of the multifaceted jewel that is R&B as the reveal continues. And now a drum roll, please, as the final top 10 artists take center stage.

75. Ruth Brown

Before Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin constructed their own melodious upper floors, Atlantic Records was known as “the house that Ruth built.” One of the first artists signed to Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson’s newborn label, Brown rocketed to a top five debut on the R&B chart with her 1949 debut single “So Long.” She reigned at No. 1 for multiple weeks just a year later with “Teardrops From My Eyes.” That song was the first in a remarkable — and then-unheard-of — string of No. 1 and top 10 hits throughout the ‘50s, including “5-10-15 Hours,” “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” “Oh What a Dream” and “I Want to Do More.” Nicknamed Miss Rhythm for her versatile vocal expertise, described alternately as sassy, stately, playful but always powerful, Brown later won a Tony, appeared in the 1988 film classic Hairspray and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. — GAIL MITCHELL

Must-Listen Song: “Teardrops From My Eyes”

74. Summer Walker

Summer Walker solidified herself as one of contemporary R&B’s most blunt voices with a fusion of traditional melodies, moody trap production and unfiltered songwriting. Her 2018 debut mixtape Last Day of Summer introduced her twinkling late-night musings on heartbreak and healing, with breakthrough lead single “Girls Need Love” receiving a Drake remix. The following year, Walker continued telling melodramatic romantic tales through digital-era references and nods to ’90s R&B classics on debut album Over It, which logged the biggest week for an R&B album by a female artist in over three years. Two years later, Still Over It proved Walker’s pen is her best weapon for seeking vengeance. It not only marked her first Billboard 200 No. 1 LP, but also the first R&B album by a woman to top the Billboard 200 in more than five years — plus the largest streaming week ever for an R&B album by a woman. Hell hath no fury like Summer Walker scorned.  — HERAN MAMO

Must-Listen Song: “Girls Need Love”

73. Etta James

In a career spanning 60 years, beginning as a teen in the R&B/jazz girl group the Creolettes — rechristened by Black bandleader-mentor Otis James as the Peaches — Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins) remains one of the most iconic voices in R&B. Scoring her Peaches breakthrough in 1955 with the chart-topping “The Wallflower,” James started cementing her legend status through solo turns such as “All I Could Do Was Cry,” “Trust in Me” and what became her signature track, 1960’s “At Last.” Pop and R&B icon Beyoncé later portrayed the inimitable Rock and Roll and Grammy Hall of Famer in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, a bio-drama about James’ longtime label Chess Records. James helped usher in a vital era of blues and R&B, as she battled personal demons along the way, to ultimately become an undeniably influential force in music history. — ANGEL DIAZ

Must-Listen Song: “At Last”

72. Jackie Wilson

Known as “Mr. Excitement” for his electrifying performances and expansive voice, Jackie Wilson’s presence as a R&B/pop star between the ‘50s and ‘70s inspired icons like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. The Detroit singer, a former gospel group member and amateur boxer, re-energized his solo career in 1957 thanks to songs penned by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr.  including the international hit “Reet Petite” and the No. 1 R&B/No. 7 pop hit “Lonely Teardrops” in 1958. Wilson is also credited as a major player in steering the progression of old-school R&B into soul music, with songs like “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” easily standing the test of time. — WILLIAM E. KETCHUM III

Must-Listen Song: “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”

71. Keyshia Cole

Over 20 years ago, Keyshia Cole swept through the R&B circuit like a hurricane. Her piercing vocals and soul-baring lyrics cut deep, brimming with heartbreak and grit, as proven on songs like “Love,” “I Changed My Mind” and “I Should Have Cheated.” But when Cole wasn’t seething at her ex-lovers like a ball of fury, she knew how to let her hair down and have fun. “Let It Go” remains an instant party starter, while her scene-stealing feature on Diddy’s “Last Night” shines bright as an indelible gem in her decorated catalog. Cole’s raw girl-talk energy lit the fuse for future storytellers like Summer Walker and SZA. — CARL LAMARRE

Must-Listen Song: “Love”

70. H.E.R.

Since adopting the stage name H.E.R. in 2016, the singer born Gabriella Wilson has been shrouded in mystery: she eschewed photographs and videos altogether for years. And even after finally revealing herself, it’s rare that you’ll see her without a pair of oversized sunglasses covering most of her face. But the Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter’s music more than speaks for itself. Her name is an acronym for “Having Everything Revealed,” and through a string of EPs released in the late 2010s before her 2021 studio debut Back of My Mind, she pairs prodigious instrumental talents (playing piano, drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar) with vulnerable, open-hearted songwriting, yielding such songs as“Could’ve Been,” “Hard Place,” “Fight for You” and “I Can’t Breathe.” — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Damage”

69. Bobby Womack

When Bobby Womack scored his first hit in 1962 as part of family group the Valentinos – the sweet soul single “Lookin’ for a Love” – few would’ve guessed he’d have a generation-spanning career as an R&B stalwart. But he grew with the genre, scoring an inner-city classic with “Across 110th Street” (and revamping “Lookin’” as a solo smash) in the ‘70s, giving the Quiet Storm radio format one of its most classic ballads with “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” in the ‘80s, and returning to 21^st century relevance through his collaborations with across-the-pond acolyte Damon Albarn, who co-produced his 2012 comeback album The Bravest Man in the Universe and featured him on the Gorillaz’ 2010 hit “Stylo.” Womack’s gravelly voice and full-gravity delivery made him an indelible element of soul music right up until his 2014 passing. — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

Must-Listen Song: “Across 110^th Street”

68. Phyllis Hyman

Phyllis Hyman’s mellifluous contralto and inventive embellishments transformed every song into magic. She covered “Betcha by Golly Wow” on Norman Connors’ 1976 You Are My Starship set and sang the Barry Manilow-produced “Somewhere in My Lifetime” on her Arista debut. From the uptempo “You Know How to Love Me” to ballads “Can’t We Fall In Love Again?” with Michael Henderson, “No One Can Love You More,” and “I Refuse to Be Lonely,” Hyman poured raw emotion onto every track. A riveting live performer, Hyman starred in Broadway’s Sophisticated Ladies and appeared in Spike Lee’s 1988 sophomore film School Daze. Tragically, she ended her life in June 1995. — JANINE COVENEY

Must-Listen Song: “Living All Alone”

67. Tank

Tank’s songwriting and production prowess has been employed by other superstars like Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Kelly Rowland. But his solo career is just as prolific. He’s got more than 20 years under his belt when it comes to satisfying traditional and contemporary R&B fans with songs like “Maybe I Deserve” and “Please Don’t Go.” Ever the collaborator, he also formed the group TGT with fellow R&B stalwarts Ginuwine and Tyrese, with their 2013 album Three Kings earning him a fourth Grammy nomination. He’s also dedicated to supporting the genre beyond his own music, co-hosting the award-winning R&B Money Podcast with J. Valentine. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Maybe I Deserve”

66. Keith Sweat

Before Bobby Brown took the genre to the very top of the Hot 100 in 1989 with “My Prerogative,” Keith Sweat established the mainstream bonafides of New Jack Swing with 1987’s Make It Last Forever album, matching slamming hits like “I Want Her” with smooth-sounding ballads like the title track. Platinum albums would follow for the rest of the 20th century, peaking with Sweat’s 1996 grown-up, self-titled effort and its smash ballads “Twisted” (with Kut Klose) and “Nobody” (with Athena Cage). Even today, any “King of R&B” discussion still needs to include this seasoned performer who helped bring the genre into the modern age. — A.U.

Must-Listen Song: “Make It Last Forever”

65. Teena Marie

A songwriter, musician and producer, Teena Marie fought labels to make her own kind of music. Starting in 1979, hits “I’m a Sucker for Your Love,” “Behind the Groove,” “Lover Girl,” “Ooo La La La” and her timeless “Fire and Desire” duet with frequent collaborator Rick James — as well as album track faves such as “Déjà Vu” — placed Marie in the pantheon of influential R&B artists. Though audiences didn’t initially realize she was white, Marie’s passionate vocals and impressive musicality were steeped in Black idioms and musical traditions. Her 1981 hit “Square Biz,” featuring her indelible rap skills, further legitimized hip-hop as a mainstream genre. A popular live performer, Marie passed away in 2010 at age 54. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Out on a Limb”

64. Ledisi

Initially drawing buzz in the early ‘00s with indie releases SoulSinger and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, Ledisi’s four-octave mezzo soprano vocal prowess continues to mesmerize — most recently when the singer-songwriter performed a compelling live rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem, at this year’s Super Bowl LIX pre-game festivities. Telling DownBeat magazine that “I’m not your boxed R&B singer,” the prolific Ledisi has steadfastly crafted a catalog of 12 studio albums featuring colorful forays into R&B/soul, funk, pop and jazz. Fan faves paving that journey include “Alright,” “In the Morning,” “I Blame You” and “Anything for You” — the latter of which yielded her first Grammy for best traditional R&B performance in 2021. — G.M.

Must-Listen Song: “Pieces of Me”

63. Musiq Soulchild

With a moniker like Musiq, the Philly-bred singer had no choice but to live up to it. In 2000, Soulchild’s brainchild Aijustwanaseing vaulted him into R&B prominence, courtesy of his personal touch and delivery on songs like “Just Friends (Sunny)” and “Love.” Soulchild straddled R&B and neo-soul with the grace of a poet and the soul of a preacher, sculpting ballads like “halfcrazy” and “Dontchange” as well as uptempo charmers like “B.U.D.D.Y.”  Musical peers have also enlisted his distinctive vocals for their projects including India.Arie, Robert Glasper and Kehlani. Soulchild’s boundless creativity and depth made him an R&B dark horse who was never shy to run a race against some of the genre’s best. — C.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Love”

62. Anthony Hamilton

As the sound of popular music shifted throughout the ‘00s and ‘10s, Charlotte, N.C.-bred crooner Anthony Hamilton kept good old-fashioned, cornbread-fed soul at the forefront. From his 2003 breakthrough hit “Charlene” to later hits like 2008’s “The Point of It All” and 2011’s “Best of Me,” the Grammy-winning singer’s raspy, gritty baritone has made him one of the most beloved traditional male R&B vocalists of the 21st century. With four No. 1s from 12 top 10 hits on Adult R&B Airplay, Hamilton’s career also includes a stint as a backing vocalist for D’Angelo and leading the HamilTones, a soul, gospel and hip-hop-bridging group comprised of his background singers. — KYLE DENIS

Must-Listen Song: “Best of Me”

61. Ashanti

Before Ashanti bloomed into a full-blown R&B superstar in the 2000s, she was a burgeoning songwriter lobbing assists with Chris Paul precision to rap giants. After leaving her fingerprints on Big Pun’s “How We Roll,” Irv Gotti’s R&B golden child became a force, creating magic on Hot 100 thrillers like Ja Rule’s “Always on Time” and Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv,” which held down the top two spots on the Hot 100 simultaneously in 2002. That same year, Ashanti catapulted to fame with the release of her debut single as a lead artist, the heartbreaking “Foolish,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. From 2002 to 2003, Ashanti’s torrid run was untouchable, as she scorched earth with a bevy of top 40 singles like “Baby” and “Happy,” plus the back-to-back Billboard 200 chart-toppers, Ashanti and Chapter II. — C.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Foolish”

60. Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo’s three-album run from 2006 to 2008 — In My Own Words, Because of You and Year of the Gentleman — was a game-changer within the R&B landscape. Debut album In My Own Words aptly showcased the Grammy winner’s precocious songwriting skills and his ability to switch from debonair to savage, all while maintaining his unique, silky falsetto. Melancholic hits such as “So Sick” and “Do You” resonated strongly with audiences, while his cogent hooks on hip-hop classics like Fabolous’ “Make You Better” and Plies’ “Bust It Baby” — as well as his featured role on Pitbull’s 2014 top 10 party jam “Time of Our Lives” — solidified Ne-Yo’s status as the Swiss army knife of 21st-century crossover R&B. — C.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Miss Independent”

59. Fantasia

Fantasia first captured listeners’ hearts in 2004 as the winner of American Idol, drawing comparisons to legendary singers like Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner with her powerful, church-honed vocals and unshakable stage presence. “I Believe,” her first single after winning the show, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, putting her in rarified air with Ms. Lauryn Hill. But in the years since, she’s proven that she’s more than a lightning-in-a-bottle reality TV star. Garnering a best female R&B vocal performance Grammy statuette for “Bittersweet” in 2011 after a dozen nominations, Fantasia has also showcased her talents in the Broadway and film adaptations of The Color Purple. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “When I See U”

58. Peabo Bryson

Propelled by the midnight ballad “Feel the Fire” in 1977, Robert “Peabo” Bryson became one of the smoothest balladeers and songwriters of the R&B/pop genre. A string of wedding themes and bedroom grooves followed, including “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “I’m So Into You,” “Can You Stop the Rain” and “Let the Feeling Flow,” capitalizing on Bryson’s drama-drenched tenor. He was also a popular duet partner, teaming with Roberta Flack for ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” and earning Grammys for two Disney movie themes: “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle from Aladdin, and the Beauty and the Beast title track with Celine Dion. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Reaching for the Sky”

57. Tevin Campbell

Introduced by Quincy Jones on “Tomorrow,” the lead single from his Grammy-winning 1989 album Back on the Block, Tevin Campbell was just 14 when he recorded his 1991 debut album T.E.V.I.N. But he had truly found his voice by the time his sophomore album arrived in 1991. I’m Ready paired his sweet tenor with songwriting and production by GOATs like Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Prince. Two of Edmonds’ contributions, “Can We Talk” and the title track, are songs that allowed Campbell a chance to deliver earnest, wholesome longing for love – sentiments that made for some of the sturdiest ballads that R&B had to offer in the ‘90s. — W.K.

Music-Listen Song: “Can We Talk”

56. Joe

With a career spanning over three decades, Joe’s tantalizing vocals were always soothing and entrancing for love-drunk couples eager for late-night romance. His third album, My Name Is Joe, was a breakthrough, featuring the top five Hot 100 hit “I Wanna Know” — which became the singer’s crown jewel and foreshadowed Joe’s grown-man appeal lasting well into the 2010s. The singer-songwriter’s ability to cater to different R&B audiences was evident in his cinematic Hot 100 No. 1 “Stutter,” as well as his timeless features on G-Unit’s “Wanna Get to Know You,” Big Pun’s “Still Not a Player,” and Mariah Carey’s “Thank God I Found You.” — C.L.

Must-Listen Song: “I Wanna Know”

55. Natalie Cole

She was the daughter of Nat “King” Cole, the jazz/pop singer and pianist behind such classics as “Mona Lisa” and “The Christmas Song.” But the younger Cole became a star in her own right. Her ecstatic 1975 debut single “This Will Be” opened the door to a best new artist Grammy, and the first of six R&B No. 1s, a run also including “I’ve Got Love on My Mind” and “Our Love.” A vocal virtuoso who flipped effortlessly from R&B and pop to funk, jazz and rock (covering Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac”), while employing colorful ad libs and scats, Cole came full circle with her father’s legacy when she recorded standards he’d performed for 1991’s multiplatinum Unforgettable … With Love. The title track — a duet with her late dad — won record of the year, while the project itself won album of the year. — G.M.

Must-Listen Song: “This Will Be”

54. Jazmine Sullivan

With her incredibly intricate, rapid-fire riffs ready to color her singular, idiosyncratic songwriting, Jazmine Sullivan stands as one of contemporary R&B’s greatest treasures. Heavily inspired by the neo-soul of her native Philadelphia, Penn., Sullivan’s two-time Grammy-winning catalog explores the ins and outs of modern Black love and relationship dynamics while maintaining her connection to blues, jazz and gospel. She’s collected two chart-toppers from six Adult R&B Airplay top 10 hits, and each of her full-length projects has spun out several cult classics and street hits – from 2008’s “Need U Bad” to 2020’s “Pick Up Your Feelings.” — K.D.

Must-Listen Song: “Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)”

53. Jill Scott

As Erykah Badu and D’Angelo became more musically and spiritually ambitious around the turn of the century, attempting to touch the cosmos with their sprawling, soul-searching LPs, Jilly from Philly emerged as the girl from the neighborhood happy to just take a long walk with you. While proving herself both a brilliant lyricist and powerhouse singer in her own right over a decade and a half of acclaimed and increasingly successful albums – her final two releases to date, 2011’s The Light of the Sun and 2015’s Woman, both topped the Billboard 200 – Jill Scott never lost that approachability, and her Mother’s Day Verzuz with Badu in 2020 remains perhaps the series’ most charming, thanks largely to her relentless likability and her consistently winning catalog. — A.U.

Must-Listen Song: “The Way”

52. Stephanie Mills

The powerful voice of Brooklyn’s own Stephanie Mills as Dorothy in Broadway’s 1974 smash The Wiz — defying her diminutive stature — stunned and mesmerized audiences. With the show’s “Home” becoming her signature song, Mills launched a recording career that soared in the late ‘70s with dancefloor hits “Put Your Body In It,” “You Can Get Over,” gold-certified single “What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’,” “Sweet Sensation” and the Teddy Pendergrass duet “Two Hearts.” Equally adept at mid-tempo ballads, Mills earned her first and only Grammy in 1981 for the R&B/pop crossover hit “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” Still a popular concert draw, Mills recently joined fellow R&B legends Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle on the Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage tour. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “I Feel Good All Over”

51. Rick James

Before he was a four-word catchphrase, Rick James carried the Motown banner into the 1980s with a delicious blend of funk, rock, disco and R&B nearly unrecognizable from the storied label’s clean-cut, friendly 1960s and 1970s classics. But that was James, a free-spirited author who wrote his own rules. And while that often came with personal costs, his boldness forged a rich catalog whose highlights – “Give It to Me Baby,” “Mary Jane” and the like – build on the creativity of contemporaries like Stevie Wonder, Parliament and Prince. And long before TikTok was the engine for throwback revivals, Chappelle’s Show enshrined the man’s name into immortality with a simple declaration: “I’m Rick James, bitch.” All right then. — TREVOR ANDERSON

Must-Listen Song: “Give It to Me Baby”

50. John Legend

Hailed for his poignant songwriting, buttery smooth tenor and mastery of the piano, John Legend exploded into stardom with his timeless debut single “Ordinary People.” From there, the R&B star went on to make history as one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status and, in turn, creating one of the best-selling digital singles of all time with “All of Me.” Bringing an assured emotional depth to his music, Legend’s mix of modern and classic soul music has impacted hundreds of fans across multiple generations. Beyond that chart success, he has been hailed for his activism and intoxicating live performances. It’s undeniable that Legend remains a defining figure in contemporary soul music. — MACKENZIE CUMMINGS-GRADY

Must-Listen Song: “All of Me”

49. Bobby Brown

After his antics as New Edition’s roguish sex symbol crossed the line from charming to dangerous, Bobby Brown split with the enormously successful R&B/pop group. And after a brief false start, he embarked upon a solo career that took him to even greater superstardom. His 1988 blockbuster Don’t Be Cruel topped the Billboard 200 and spun off a whopping five Hot 100 top 10 hits, including the chart-topping, backlash-dismissing “My Prerogative.” Cruel pushed the sound of ‘80s R&B into the ‘90s with a largely up-tempo and attitude-driven sound, filtered through pop mega-hooks that polished the Teddy Riley-pioneered New Jack Swing sound into something ready for top 40 domination — with Brown its leading purveyor. His reign didn’t last, but his impact did. You can feel Brown’s DNA in later crossover stars like Usher, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and even Britney Spears. — A.U.

Must-Listen Song: “My Prerogative”

48. Lauryn Hill

From her melodic contributions on the Fugees’ 1996 blockbuster sophomore set The Score to her own groundbreaking 1998 debut with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Ms. Lauryn Hill effortlessly toed the line between hip-hop and R&B. Her genre-shifting talents across those two albums reoriented perceived musical boundaries between R&B, funk, jazz, boom-bap and pop. While no sophomore effort has yet appeared, Miseducation alone was enough for the polymath to nab five Grammys in 1999, including album of the year and best new artist. The test of time has been extremely kind to her work as her R&B and hip-hop prowess continues to influence many of today’s buzzing new singers. – M.C.G.

Must-Listen Song: “Ex-Factor”

47. The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s irrefutable influence in R&B will go down in history. His three mixtapes in 2011 – House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence – were foundational platforms for the alternative R&B (aka PBR&B) movement of the 2010s. His hauntingly beautiful falsetto and stirring melisma relayed stories about unfulfilling bed-hopping and pill-popping rendezvous in the wee hours and melancholic musings about failed relationships and the detrimental effects of fame. He sampled indie and post-punk bands like Siouxsie & the Banshee and also incorporated trip-hop and ambient music to add a darker tint to the genre. Even as the underground cult figure evolved into one of the 21st century’s most reliable hitmakers, with his Michael Jackson-esque Hot 100 No. 1 “Can’t Feel My Face” and the synth-pop juggernaut “Blinding Lights,” R&B still stands at the heart of his artistry and legacy. — H.M.

Must-Listen Song: “Wicked Games”

46. Rihanna

Rihanna’s genre-bending sound, anchored by her Caribbean roots, has made her one of the most successful crossover artists in R&B/pop. Her first two albums, Music of the Sun and A Girl Like Me, flaunted her youthful fusion of breezy dancehall rhythms, sultry R&B melodies and radio-friendly, dance-pop sensibilities. But 2007 LP Good Girl Gone Bad marked a career turning point with the emergence of Bad Gal RiRi, characterized by synth-heavy electronic production, hip-hop swagger and a grown & sexy persona that persisted throughout subsequent albums. Then Rihanna brought R&B back to the forefront of her sound on 2016’s chef-d’oeuvre ANTI, recognizing old traditions like the doo-wop-inspired ballad “Love on the Brain” and the bluesy ditty “Higher” to riding the alt-R&B wave with her Tame Impala cover “Same Ol’ Mistakes” and the SZA-featuring “Consideration.” While her musical career hangs in the balance, Rihanna’s reign won’t ever let up. — H.M.

Must-Listen Song: “Umbrella”

45. D’Angelo

From “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” sex symbol and music video innovator to elusive, enigmatic Black Messiah, D’Angelo has assumed many outer skins across his storied career. 1995’s Brown Sugar and 2000’s Voodoo proved seminal neo-soul works that continue to serve as key references for their era and genre, while 2014’s transcendental Black Messiah helped bring his Grammy win total to four. His catalog may be brief, but it’s near peerless, as evidenced by his 2021 Verzuz, which eschewed the battle format in favor of a solo set featuring his collaborators. The Richmond, Va.-hailing singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist boasts five Adult R&B Airplay top 10 hits, including enduring anthems like “Lady” and “Cruisin.” — K.D.

Must-Listen Song: “1000 Deaths”

44. SZA

SZA’s girl-next-door charisma and emotional complexity attracted awkward Black girls everywhere, but her boundary-pushing R&B has since expanded her audience. The beautiful, eccentric melodies and indie rock, neo-soul and trap influences on 2017 debut studio album Ctrl gave SZA an edge. And her diaristic songwriting explored adolescent anxieties and insecurities, from questioning if she’s beautiful enough to empathizing with those trying to get their s–t together in their 20s. Its long-awaited sequel, SOS, took everything up a notch: diversifying her sound by diving into gospel, grunge and surf rock. SOS continues to smash chart records – like spending the most weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 among albums by women – proving that artists with an R&B foundation like SZA can successfully break through the genre’s borders and ascend into pop’s upper echelon. — H.M

Must-Listen Song: “Love Galore”

43. Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick is often seen these days dropping the occasional wisecrack on X. But that belies the fact that she’s one of the most-charted vocalists of all time. Beginning her career in the early 1960s, she paired her dynamic, distinctive vocals over pop gems by revered songwriter/producers Burt Bacharach and Hal David — one of the few Black artists to score major crossover success during that period. From there, Warwick ventured into jazz, R&B and gospel. She counts 56 singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, with 12 of them making the top 10 from “I Say a Little Prayer” to “That’s What Friends Are For.” Warwick has continued to occasionally release new music in her golden years and, as recently as June 2025, she’s still impressing live audiences with her fabulous, lilting vocals. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Walk on By”

42. Barry White

The late Barry White was nicknamed “The Walrus of Love.” And few nicknames were so fitting: his deep, rumbling bass voice and irresistibly romantic demeanor made him a popular R&B heartthrob in the ‘70s, the peak of a decades-long, Grammy-winning career as a solo singer. Backed by his own Love Unlimited Orchestra — earning him a second nickname as “The Maestro” — White cast a host of romantic spells through songs like “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe,” “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up” and “Practice What You Preach.” And who can forget his MVP assist on Quincy Jones’ “The Secret Garden”? Those Quiet Storm staples are just morsels in a prolific discography comprised of 20 studio albums as well as 20 gold and 10 platinum singles. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe”

41. Brandy

The head-bobbing 1990s singles “I Wanna Be Down,” “Baby” and “Sittin’ Up in My Room” (from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale) proved that teen phenom Brandy Norwood possessed widespread appeal. After teaming with producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jenkins, she scored additional hits with “Best Friend” and the Grammy-winning Monica duet “The Boy Is Mine.” Brandy’s down-to-earth style and honeyed vocals kept her on the charts into the new millennium with fan faves “Almost Doesn’t Count,” “Top of the World,” and “What About Us.” A star in other mediums as well — the television series Moesha and Disney’s 1997 update of Cinderella, handpicked by Whitney Houston for the title role — Brandy celebrated her 30th anniversary in music in 2024. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Have You Ever”

40. Aaliyah

Despite an all-too-brief life, Aaliyah shaped the first era of R&B stars reared in hip-hop culture. Describing her style as “sweet but street,” Aaliyah married her honeyed, airy falsetto with the exciting, street-savvy beats courtesy of her most frequent collaborators, Timbaland, Missy Elliott and R. Kelly, for gems such as “One in a Million,” “Are You That Somebody?” and “Try Again.” She further expanded that musical sense with an effortlessly cool demeanor in her fashion choices and music videos. Of course, we’ll always wonder about the “what ifs,” but even with less than a decade between her career’s start and her tragic death in 2001, Aaliyah created a legacy that has echoed for generations. — T.A.

Must-Listen Song: “Are You That Somebody?”

39. Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack is often credited with helping to build the foundation for Quiet Storm, the popular radio format that became as one of the foremost platforms for R&B in the 1970s and 1980s. The vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist merged R&B, soul, jazz, pop and folk into her music that also showcased her warm, caressing vocals. She scored three Hot 100 chart-toppers: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” Not to mention two top five hits with fellow R&B icon Donny Hathaway, “The Closer I Get to You” and “Where Is the Love.” Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy for record of the year for two consecutive years. She passed away in February 2025, but not before receiving a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2020. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Killing Me Softly with His Song”

38. Maxwell

You can’t tell the story of neo-soul without acknowledging the contributions of Maxwell. Emerging in 1996 with debut album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, he was part of a cadre of artists — including Erykah Badu and D’Angelo — who, between the mid- and late ‘90s, distinctively reshaped the look and sound of R&B. Since then, Maxwell has continued to pave his own singular lane of swoon-worthy, grown & sexy R&B well into the 2010s by way of his undulating tenor and tender falsetto. Cuts like “Fortunate,” “Lifetime” and “Pretty Wings” are just as lush and soul-bearing as they were more than a decade ago — as witnessed during the Grammy winner’s 2024 NPR Tiny Desk performance, which has drawn nearly six million views. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Lifetime”

37. Frank Ocean

Christopher Breaux went by Lonny Breaux when he wrote songs for R&B heavyweights like Beyoncé, John Legend and Alicia Keys. But as Frank Ocean, he changed the genre forever. His 2011 debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra recontextualized the conversational flow of hip-hop and the gritty, trippy instrumentation of indie and classic rock (borrowing from the Eagles, MGMT and Coldplay) while keeping R&B/soul’s emotional vulnerability at the heart of his music. Ocean’s 2012 Grammy-winning debut album Channel Orange then rewrote the narrative for Black queer artists in the R&B/hip-hop space. After dropping cult-favorite visual album Endless, Ocean independently released Blonde. The experimental magnum opus features flashes of psychedelic pop, avant-soul and electronica, accented by multi-layered, pitch-changing vocals outlining the artist’s continued exploration of queerness, Black masculinity and existentialism. The project reinforced Ocean’s ongoing status as a culture-shifting genius — despite his vexatious absence. — H.M.

Must-Listen Song: “Thinkin Bout You”

36. Toni Braxton

L.A. Reid and Babyface tapped this sultry alto from Arista Records’ sister act The Braxtons to record a scratch vocal for “Love Should Have Brought You Home,” featured on the 1992 film soundtrack Boomerang. And a star was born: Braxton’s sexy, smoky vocals on “Another Sad Love Song,” “Seven Whole Days” and “Breathe Again” propelled the quintuple-platinum success of her 1993 eponymous debut album while inspiring a million pixie cuts. Braxton’s 1996 follow-up Secrets proved even more popular (8x platinum), owing to songs such as “You’re Makin’ Me High” (her first double No. 1 on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) and the international pop hit “Un-Break My Heart.” The seven-time Grammy winner has also appeared on Broadway, TV and in films. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Breathe Again”

35. Babyface

Take only the songs he’s written and produced for other artists – timeless classics by Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Tevin Campbell, Whitney Houston, TLC, SZA and even non-genre performers like Madonna and Fall Out Boy – and Babyface would still be virtually impossible to keep off an R&B list like this. But the man born Kenneth Edmonds could just as easily mount a claim based on his decades of hitmaking as a performer, first alongside fellow industry legend L.A. Reid as part of The Deele (“Two Occasions”), then as the solo hitmaker behind “Whip Appeal,” “Soon As I Get Home,” “When Can I See You” and “There She Goes,” a decades-spanning run that proved his gentle falsetto is just as nuanced and irresistible as his truly peerless pen. — A.U.

Must-Listen Song: “Soon as I Get Home”

34. Donna Summer

Breaking through by imitating an orgasm on 1975’s 17-minute “Love to Love You Baby,” Donna Summer actually got her start singing in church before landing a role in a German production of the hit musical Hair in 1968. Throughout her reign as the Queen of Disco in the latter half of the ‘70s, Summer drew on both backgrounds to deliver some of the most vocally impressive dance-oriented R&B of her era. She brought the resonant tones of gospel to Giorgio Moroder’s runaway synths (“Sunset People,” “I Feel Love”) and an unforced theatrical flair to everything from a duet showdown with vocal ace Barbra Streisand (“No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)”) to her 1979 magnum opus Bad Girls, which along with Off the Wall, ushered in a new era of R&B-indebted pop. Though her voice was drenched in sensuality, there was an ache inside her tone, too. Summer made music for those who hit the dancefloor to fill a void and, more often than not, her music did just that. — JOE LYNCH

Must-Listen Song: “On the Radio”

33. Alicia Keys

A piano-playing savant, Alicia Keys brought a classicism to R&B in the 2000s with a soulful coo that took her from Hell’s Kitchen to the top of the Billboard charts at just 20 years old. Hits like “No One,” “Fallin’” and Usher’s “My Boo” have become ingrained in and part of the DNA of 21st century R&B. Keys joined fellow New York dignitary Jay-Z to craft the unofficial Big Apple anthem: “Empire State of Mind” in 2009, which topped the Hot 100 and has since been certified diamond by the RIAA. A 17-time Grammy Award winner, Keys is the living embodiment of reaching the highest commercial heights of R&B while never sacrificing an ounce of creative integrity in her vision. — M.S.

Must-Listen Song: “If I Ain’t Got You”

32. Lionel Richie

Vocalist, songwriter, producer, TV personality. Lionel Richie remains a force after nearly six decades. His mastery of booty-shaking funk (“Brick House”) and aching ballads (“Easy,” “Sail On”) for the Commodores — showcasing his engaging country-tinged rasp and crooner vocals — led to creating hits for Kenny Rogers (“Lady”) and his Diana Ross collab (“Endless Love”). Launching his solo career with a self-titled album in 1982, Richie followed its success through “You Are” and “Truly” with 1983’s Can’t Slow Down. The sophomore set spun off two of Richie’s most popular songs in his estimable catalog: “All Night Long” and “Hello.” Richie also co-wrote (with Michael Jackson) the historic all-star charity single “We Are the World.” With an Oscar, four Grammys, the Gershwin Prize and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Richie is one of the most honored artists in history. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Three Times a Lady”

31. Anita Baker

Whether Beyoncé is covering her songs or Kendrick Lamar is name-checking her in his album intros, Anita Baker always finds a way to remind the world that she’s one of the queens of Quiet Storm. Hailing from Detroit, Mich. by way of Toledo, Ohio, the eight-time Grammy winner has earned five Adult R&B Airplay toppers – including 1994’s “I Apologize” and 2004’s “You’re My Everything” — thanks to her rich, expansive contralto. Her 1986 Rapture LP ranks among the best and most impactful R&B albums of its time, even penetrating top 40 with the now-signature hits “Sweet Love,” “Caught Up in the Rapture” and her cover of “You Bring Me Joy.” Still a consistent touring act in the 2020s, Baker also emerged victorious in her fight for ownership of her masters, underscoring her impact outside of the studio. — K.D.

Must-Listen Song: “Been So Long”

30. Gladys Knight

Glorious Gladys Knight delivered soulful immediacy to early hits with the Pips: “Every Beat of My Heart,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us” and “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.” After connecting with producer Curtis Mayfield for the 1974 Claudine soundtrack (“On and On”), the group disbanded in 1988 with Knight continuing as a solo artist. She joined the star-studded cast of the Grammy-winning song “That’s What Friends Are For,” which also featured Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John. With one Bond theme (1989’s “Licence To Kill”), seven Grammys (four as a soloist), induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Pips and a seven-decade career — recently teaming with Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills for The Queens tour — the “Empress of Soul” remains an American treasure. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “That’s What Friends Are For”

29. Diana Ross

As the leader of the Supremes, Diana Ross led the girl group juggernaut to a staggering 12 Hot 100 No. 1s between 1964-69. Her Motown material was effervescent pop buoyed by Ross’ gossamer tones. So when she set out to establish herself as a proper R&B vocalist in the ‘70s, there were skeptics – and she spent the next decade-plus (and six solo No. 1s) proving them wrong. From soul with gospel in its bones (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Touch Me in the Morning”) to dancefloor-ready funk (“Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out”) to jazz (her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues earned an Oscar nom) to immaculate R&B balladry (“Endless Love” with Lionel Richie, one of the biggest hits of all time) to lush, manic disco (“Love Hangover”) to down-home R&B (“Ease on Down the Road” in The Wiz), Ross demonstrated a vocal versatility her Supremes’ material only hinted at. But one thing didn’t change throughout her career: The class and elegance she exuded, a quality that everyone from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift has emulated. — J.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Love Hangover” (album version)

28. Erykah Badu

As one of neo soul’s pioneers, Erykah Badu emerged in 1997 as a rebellious and uncontainable force. Seamlessly intertwining R&B with African rhythms, jazz and hip-hop, Badu’s groundbreaking debut album Baduizm — featuring “On & On,” “Otherside of the Game” and “Next Lifetime” — redefined what was possible in soul music. Her reflective themes about relationships, social justice and self-empowerment made her as lyrically profound as the most impactful rappers. After the Grammy-winning Baduizm, Badu and her elastic, emotive vocals further cemented her icon status thanks to insightful albums and cultural touchstones such as “Tyrone,” “Bag Lady” and “Back in the Day.” Aside from Badu’s musical artistry, her mesmerizing live performances, cutting-edge fashion sense and savvy business acumen are just a few more reasons why she’s one of the most important singers in R&B history. — M.C.G.

Must-Listen Song: “Didn’t Cha Know”

27. Chaka Khan

With bared midriff, a crown of natural hair and powerhouse vocals, Chicago-born Chaka Khan launched ’70s band Rufus into the stratosphere. Khan’s powerhouse vocals on “Once You Get Started,” “Sweet Thing,” and “Tell Me Something Good” sounded like no one else. During and after her Rufus tenure (formally exiting the group in 1982), Khan extended her run of hits with popular solo turns like “Ain’t Nobody,” the sizzling Prince cover “I Feel for You” and her signature “I’m Every Woman” — while solidifying her star status. Through the ‘80s, “This Is My Night,” “You Can Make the Story Right” and crossover ballad “Through the Fire” exposed her to wider audiences. Khan, who has recorded rock, pop, soul and jazz projects, is also a 10-time Grammy winner. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “I Feel for You”

26. Chris Brown

A teenage Chris Brown exploded onto the R&B scene in the mid-2000s with an undeniable charm that sparked major heart-fluttering across the globe. Breezy’s engaging four-octave range and smooth dance moves drew comparisons to Michael Jackson as he’s since evolved into one of music’s premier all-around entertainers. The Virginia native also continues to churn out hits with ease: 17 Hot 100 top 10s to be exact, not to mention 118 total entries and counting on the chart. That impressive tally includes breakthrough single “Run It!,” “She Ain’t You,” “No Guidance,” “Under the Influence” and “Residuals.” Now celebrating his 20th anniversary in music with the global stadium tour Breezy Bowl XX, Brown has developed a diehard fan base that’s stuck with him through thick and thin. A 25-time Grammy nominee, Brown won his second gramophone in February for best R&B album with 11:11 (Deluxe). — M.S.

Must-Listen Song: “Forever”

25. Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle is one of the most beloved songstresses in R&B. She launched her five-decade career in the 1960s as the frontwoman of The Blue Belles, a group that eventually rechristened itself as Labelle and released the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart-topper “Lady Marmalade” in 1974 before disbanding a couple years later. From the late ‘70s onward, the prolific LaBelle earned the nickname “The Godmother of Soul” owing to more than a dozen solo albums and the crafting of classic slow jams like “If Only You Knew” and “Love, Need and Want You,” her emotion-wringing “On My Own” duet with Michael McDonald and her energetic vocal flexing on “New Attitude” and “Stir It Up” from 1985’s Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Love, Need and Want You”

24. Bill Withers

Arriving on the scene at the relatively late age of 33, Bill Withers didn’t waste any time playing catch up. The former commercial aircraft worker made a lasting impression in 1971 with debut single “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Withers reels off the phrase “I know” in the song 26 times). Helping to set the firestorm created by that career jumpstart: his bluesy/folksy guitar playing and easygoing, southern-flavored vocals by way of his West Virginia upbringing. More hits ensued with themes involving love won/lost, family and social activism. Those classics range from the friendship anthem “Lean on Me,” “Use Me” and “The Same Love that Made Me Laugh” to “Grandma’s Hands,” “Lovely Day” and the wartime ode “I Can’t Write Left-Handed.” Though the self-described “left-field singer” opted not to sign with another label after 1985, Withers’ short career still stands the test of time: The three-time Grammy winner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. — G.M.

Must-Listen Song: “Use Me”

23. Teddy Pendergrass

The band wasn’t named after him, but there was no question who the star was: Philly’s Teddy Pendergrass had the Force 10 gale of a voice and the cool to match, powering Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes slow-burners like “I Miss You” and disco barnstormers like “The Love I Lost” to near-double-digit-minute lengths and still leaving audiences begging for more. And when he went solo in the mid-‘70s, Pendergrass quickly became the baddest dude in R&B, scoring hits with lushly produced loverman classics like “Close the Door” and “Love TKO” and inspiring a live audience fervor that would make Tom Jones blush – even playing women-only concerts in the late ‘70s. A 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the chest down, but the soul ran too strong in Pendergrass for that to stop him, as he still delivered an iconic performance at 1985’s Live Aid benefit and scored a late-‘80s R&B Songs chart-topper with the ecstatic “Joy.”

Must-Listen Song: “The Love I Lost”

22. Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross will always be on a first-name basis with R&B lovers. A gifted singer, producer and songwriter, Vandross initially established himself as a backup vocalist for icons such as Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and David Bowie before starting his solo reign in the 1980s-’90s as one of R&B’s most dominant forces. Beyond a long list of Vandross-stamped songs such as “Never Too Much,” “Any Love” and “Dance With My Father,” there are the dulcet-toned duets with Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Janet Jackson, plus his unique reinterpretations of songs like Dionne Warwick’s “A House Is Not a Home.” Years after his passing in 2005, the “Velvet Voice” was introduced to a whole new generation when Kendrick Lamar sampled Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 take on Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s “If This World Were Mine” for their own chart-topping duet “Luther,” further underscoring Vandross’ lasting legacy. — W.K.

Must-Listen Song: “Never Too Much”

21. Donny Hathaway

Through such gems as “The Ghetto-Part 1,” “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and the holiday perennial “This Christmas,” Hathaway became an enduring R&B influence, with his mellifluous vocals, gospel keyboards and sensitive songwriting. His 1972 album Live remains one of the best-selling live albums of its era. Pairing with Howard University colleague Roberta Flack for the romantic duets “Back Together Again,” “The Closer I Get to You,” and the Grammy-winning “Where Is the Love” gained Hathaway even more popularity, and added another chapter to his influential legacy. His untimely death in 1979 at the age of 33 cut short his brilliant career. Hathaway — the father of Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway — received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Little Ghetto Boy”

20. Otis Redding

Otis Redding’s death at the age of 26 in a 1967 plane crash is one of the greatest losses in music. Over the course of his brief but incalculably influential career, Redding reinvigorated R&B as rock music threatened to eclipse it in the mid ‘60s, inspiring everyone from Aretha Franklin (whose signature song “Respect” was written by him) to the Rolling Stones. Redding could slide from lost and lovelorn to fervent and furious almost imperceptibly over the course of a two-minute single. As remarkable as his rough, raspy tone was, his pen was just as mighty, with Redding writing everything from the playful “Mr. Pitiful” and “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” to the bluesy, begging “Ole Man Trouble” to all-timers like the posthumously released “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and the aforementioned “Respect.” But to get a full picture of the breadth of his talent and the immensity of his loss, go no further than the explosive, runaway train version of “Try a Little Tenderness” that he brought to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967; more than half a century later, it’s still drenched in sweat. — J.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Try a Little Tenderness”

19. Smokey Robinson

As the debonair falsetto lead of the Miracles, William “Smokey” Robinson was Motown’s ambassador of cool sophistication and style. Penning ‘60s hits like “Tears of a Clown,” “Tracks of My Tears” and the Temptations’ “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Girl,” Robinson married clever Tin Pan Alley lyrics to a soul sound that also clicked with middle America. After leaving the Miracles in 1972, Robinson released Quiet Storm, his debut solo set of midnight moods (featuring the No. 1 R&B hit “Baby That’s Backatcha”) and, in the process, also launched an entire radio format. He went on to notch more R&B/pop crossover hits with “Cruisin’,” “Being With You,” “Just to See Her” and a 1983 duet with Rick James, “Ebony Eyes.” More than six decades into his career, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Robinson continues to perform and record, guesting on Anderson .Paak’s 2019 Hot R&B Songs hit “Make It Better.” — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Ooo Baby Baby”

18. Al Green

Al Green – who still holds church in Memphis as the Rev. Al Green on Sundays – wasn’t the first artist to seesaw between crooning about God and sex, but he just might be the best. His unmistakable vocal tone is soaked in that push-pull tension: sweet yet lascivious, secular yet spiritual, gritty yet tender. Backed by come-hither horns and a metronome-tight rhythm section, Green set the standard for soul music sensuality in the ‘70s with his nimble falsetto and aching moans, trotting out an effortlessly sexy, smooth run of LPs on Hi Records. While other R&B singers begged or peacocked around their partners, Green played it cool, stating his case on low-key but irresistible soft sells such as “Let’s Stay Together” and “Call Me (Come Back Home).” And when he stretched his Memphis funk muscles on classics like “Take Me to the River” and “Love and Happiness,” Green proved that gospel was part and parcel of his palette well before he officially pivoted to religious music in the ‘80s. — J.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Tired of Being Alone”

17. Janet Jackson

As the ninth child of America’s musical version of the Kennedys, Janet Jackson could have easily lingered behind her brothers’ shadows. But Jackson didn’t just forge her own success, she ruled the charts for 15 years as a sonic chameleon, pushing her sound to match a changing culture. Trace the journey from Jackson’s early, industrial-grind hits such as “Nasty,” and “Miss You Much” to the carnal, lush odes of an “Any Time, Any Place” or “I Get Lonely” and the jubilation of turn-of-the-century tracks in “Doesn’t Really Matter” and “All for You.” It’s hard to believe they’re all from the same catalog. But Jackson’s range illuminates the five-time Grammy honoree’s unique spot in the R&B canon. Should someone ask what a typical Janet Jackson song sounds like, good luck narrowing it down. — T.A.

Must-Listen Song: “I Get Lonely”

16. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige turned her pain into gold and platinum plaques as she rose to prominence in the early ‘90s, singing about love and empowerment, which resonated with millions looking inward as Blige’s brutally honest vocals pierced their souls. The Yonkers native, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, redefined R&B at a time when New York hip-hop was entering its golden age. Rappers from 50 Cent to Jay-Z and Ludacris turned to the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul to further elevate their tracks with a fierce vulnerability they couldn’t get anywhere else. Blige’s triumphant anthems invoking joy and sadness — among them “Love No Limit,” “I’m Going Down,” “Not Gon’ Cry” and the Dr. Dre-produced party jam “Family Affair” — have become as symbolic as the nine-time Grammy winner’s signature thigh-high boots. — M.S.

Must-Listen Song: “Real Love”

15. Isaac Hayes

Paving his way as a session musician, in-house songwriter and producer at pioneering soul label Stax Records (credits include Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man”), Isaac Hayes pushed beyond R&B’s then-traditional boundaries with the release of sophomore album Hot Buttered Soul in 1969. The four-song project included a 12-minute rendition of Dionne Warwick’s pop classic “Walk on By,” which became a Hot 100 top 40 hit in its own right. Hayes then hit a career jackpot with the Shaft movie soundtrack in 1971. He not only scored his sole Hot 100 No. 1 with “Theme From Shaft”; he also won the Academy Award for best original song. Over the years, Hayes’ influence has stretched to hip-hop as his spoken-word lyrical style was a precursor to the way verses have been laid down in contemporary rap. In fact, the late pioneer’s seminal work on Black Moses has been sampled countless times by hip-hop producers. — A.D.

Must-Listen Song: “(They Long to Be) Close to You”

14. Curtis Mayfield

With his funky falsetto, Chicago-born Mayfield first showcased his brilliance as songwriter and performer with 1960s Impressions hits “People Get Ready,” “I’m So Proud” and “Keep on Pushing.” A knack for civil rights anthems, impeccable storytelling, and grooves like “Freddie’s Dead,” “Pusherman” and the title track made 1972’s Superfly soundtrack into searing social commentary. The landmark album — only Mayfield’s third as a solo artist — is preserved by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. His 1974 Claudine was a tour-de-force of first-person character development while 1976’s Sparkle gave us the Aretha Franklin hits “Jump” and “Something He Can Feel.” — J.C.

Must-Listen Song: “Superfly”

13. Sam Cooke

Even though Sam Cooke was only on this earth for 33 years, he was still able to change the game during that short time. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Cooke is often credited with being the King of Soul, a nickname he was given after leaving gospel group The Soul Stirrers to venture out on his own. With his honeyed, versatile tenor, Cooke clocked nearly 30 top 40 hits on the Hot 100. That run, which influenced pop music as we know it today, began in the late ‘50s with his barrier-breaking No. 1 R&B and Hot 100 single “You Send Me.” He reached his stride in the ‘60s with classics such as “Wonderful World,” “Chain Gang,” “Twistin’ the Night Away” and “Another Saturday Night.” After his untimely death in 1964, “A Change Is Gonna Come” was released as the B-side to his top 10 hit “Shake,” and became one of the civil rights movement’s empowering anthems. — A.D.

Must-Listen Song: “A Change Is Gonna Come”

12. Usher

The ultimate triple-threat entertainer, Usher personified the gold standard of R&B hitmaking in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, with songs like “You Make Me Wanna,” “U Remind Me” and ‘U Got It Bad.” Then his magnum opus arrived in 2004 with the diamond-certified Confessions album. The Grammy-winning, 14 times platinum project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced four No. 1 singles (“Yeah!,” “Burn”, “Confessions Part II” and “My Boo”) for as dominant a commercial run as the genre has ever seen. Two decades later, Usher embarked on a well-deserved victory lap while headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show and showcasing his live performance mastery. Usher has proven to be the blueprint for achieving a sustainable, successful career, rising from childhood star to R&B deity — while his baby face hasn’t aged a day in the process. — M.S.

Must-Listen Song: “Confessions Part II”

11. Ray Charles

Ray Charles, a.k.a. “The Genius,” first struck a powerful chord with music fans in 1955 when the singer-songwriter landed his first No. 1 on the R&B charts with “I Got a Woman.” From there, he lobbed a steady trajectory of hits across the net, featuring innovative genre fusions that stemmed from his no-holds-barred forays into blues, jazz, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll and country. But first came Charles’ soul juggernaut, melding blues, gospel and R&B and fueling an estimable tally of additional hits through the rest of the ‘50s and on through the ‘60s — like “A Fool for You,” “Drown in My Own Tears” and “Hallelujah I Love Her So” — before also crossing over into the pop arena with “What’d I Say (Part I),” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Also known as “Brother Ray,” Charles’ warm, gritty vocals and animated piano playing were also instrumental in molding his still influential, multi-genre legacy. — A.D.

Must-Listen Song: “Georgia on My Mind”

10. Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye could have made this list just based on his ‘60s output for Motown as one of the era’s great hitmakers and duet partners, culminating in his defining (and Hot 100-topping) version of Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” at decade’s end. But the smooth soul legend with the heavenly voice – airy and angelic one moment, piercing and guttural the next – really secured his legacy in the ‘70s, when he showcased R&B at its most topical (What’s Going On), its most sensual (Let’s Get It On) and its most devastating (Here, My Dear) with equal brilliance. And the Quiet Storm blissfulness of 1982’s Midnight Love – led by the eternal come-on “Sexual Healing” – demonstrated that Gaye could’ve easily continued pushing the genre forward for a third decade, had his life not been brought to a tragic end two years later at the hands of his own father. Still, Marvin Gaye left behind a catalog of both unprecedented heights-scaling and depths-plumbing – and proved that soul music could be the soundtrack to both, and everything in between. — A.U.

Must-Listen Song: “What’s Going On”

9. R. Kelly

R. Kelly’s lithe vocals took the R&B world by storm in the ‘90s through his debut album 12 Play and its Hot 100 No. 1 single “Bump n’ Grind” — leading to him becoming an omnipresent creative force in the process. He enjoyed major crossover success as well, penning and performing the 1996 Space Jam soundtrack ballad “I Believe I Can Fly,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. A generational talent and innovator, in the 2000s Kelly scored another unforgettable smash with “Ignition (Remix)” and an early viral sensation with the “Trapped in the Closet” series. Along the way, he played an integral role in bridging the worlds of R&B, soul, pop and rap while also penning hits for Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Aaliyah and Whitney Houston. In 2022, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking and racketeering charges tied to decades of sexual abuse, which has tainted the singer’s legacy. But from a purely musical perspective, there’s no denying that Kelly is one of the best contemporary R&B artists to ever pick up a microphone. — M.S

Must-Listen Song: “I Believe I Can Fly”

8. Mariah Carey

If Mariah Carey were just a singer, that five-octave voice alone would offer a buffet of options for a successful catalog. But add her Hall of Fame songwriting credentials and ear for sticky production that blends pop smarts with classic R&B flavor, and you see the ingredients for a legendary discography. While Carey’s early material bounced between adult contemporary, pop, R&B and dance, Carey’s mid-career creative consolidation fueled further dives into R&B, with tracks like Butterfly’s “Breakdown” and The Emancipation of Mimi’s “Mine Again” among the lesser-known gems that rival any of the five-time Grammy winner’s string of chart-topping pearls — including such touchstones as “Vision of Love” and “We Belong Together”— in quality. Recently honored as an Ultimate Icon at the 25th annual BET Awards, Carey has collaborated with fellow greats like Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Snoop Dogg and Nick Minaj. In linking the genre’s history – gospel touches, Quiet Storm, hip-hop fusion – with a contemporary freshness, Carey’s best shows she would flourish in any era. — T.A.

Must-Listen Song: “Breakdown”

7. Prince

With his extraordinary vocal range, genre-defying catalog and well-heeled dance moves, Prince quickly became one of R&B’s game-changing legends, and the driving force behind what became known as the Minneapolis Sound. The creative wunderkind burst on the scene in 1978 with debut album For You, featuring the sensual “Soft and Wet.” But it was the multi-instrumentalist’s eponymous sophomore LP that spun off his first No. 1 R&B hit (“I Wanna Be Your Lover”) and set the stage for a prolific career. Prince’s seminal moment arrived with the 1984 film and album Purple Rain, which included the hits “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and the title track. Topping the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks, the album seamlessly interweaved funk and rock into the Purple One’s slick R&B sound. In a career filled with memorable performances and industry accolades, the seven-time Grammy winner remained focused on what brought him to the party in the first place: his fearless individuality and innovative fusion of genres from R&B, funk and hip-hop to pop, rock, jazz, blues and new wave. Prince’s sophisticated swagger and musical experimentation are still inspiring artists to push creative boundaries nearly a decade after his untimely death in 2016. — M.C.G

Must-Listen Song: “I Wanna Be Your Lover”

6. James Brown

Music Box. Mr. Dynamite. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. The Godfather of Soul. James Brown earned many a sobriquet (plenty of which he gave himself) during an incalculably influential career that changed the course of R&B and forever impacted Black culture. Born into extreme poverty during the Great Depression, Brown’s electric showmanship, unerring rhythm and obsessive work ethic (no one ran a tighter backing band in the ‘60s and ‘70s) propelled him to 91 hits on the Hot 100. Even on his earliest singles (“Please Please Please,” “Think,” “Night Train”), it was clear Brown had a more ruthlessly rhythmic approach to R&B than his contemporaries. Plus his sweaty, Southern preacher-inspired stage persona drove fans berserk (the shrieking crowd is the real backing band on 1963’s Live at the Apollo) and inspired everyone from Mick Jagger to Prince to Michael Jackson. By the mid ‘60s, America was changing, and Brown was transforming, too. With a backing band of endlessly rehearsed ringers, he deprioritized traditional song structures and leaned into the hypnotic grooves and syncopation of hard-edged R&B, releasing lengthier tunes with nary a wasted syllable, guitar chord or drumbeat.

The result was funk music. And from 1965 to the late ‘70s, he created the template for the genre and released some of its most unstoppable exemplars (“Cold Sweat,” “Funky Drummer,” “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”). Onstage, he could outdance and out-glam damn near every one of his contemporaries, but his distinctive voice was truly inimitable (though many tried). Passionate and gruff, pained one moment, peacocking the next, conversational yet studied, Brown’s voice was full of dirt, grease, sweat and steam — particularly on those ear-splitting yelps. Whether wailing about backsides (“Mother Popcorn”), Black pride (“Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud”) or changing times (“Living in America”), Brown continues to inspire singers, rappers, rockers and activists. Well before Don Corleone, he was the Godfather who could not be refused. — J.L.

Must-Listen Song: “Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved (Pts. 1 & 2)”

5. Whitney Houston

What hasn’t already been said about Whitney Houston, one of the greatest singers to ever live? Known as “Nippy” by friends and family (mom was noted vocalist Cissy Houston), the Newark, New Jersey native also gained another nickname as “The Voice.” Blessed with a four-octave, church-honed vocal range, Houston stepped on the scene with formidable back-to-back — and now RIAA diamond-certified — albums right from the jump: 1985’s Whitney Houston and 1987’s Whitney. The former still stands as the highest-selling debut by a female artist. As the first and only artist to land seven straight No. 1s on the Hot 100, Houston and her dynamic voice propelled a host of emotive ballads and up-tempo charmers like “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know” (with mom doing backing vocals), “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).” Her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” from 1992’s The Bodyguard soundtrack spent 14 weeks atop the Hot 100. Among Houston’s most memorable live performances is her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Super Bowl XXV, which even became a Hot 100 top 10 hit when re-released as a single a decade later. Houston died far too young at age 48 in 2012, leaving behind a catalog that raised the standard when it comes to singing — and still does. — A.D

Must-Listen Song: “I Have Nothing”

4. Beyoncé

Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century also happens to be one of the Best R&B Artists of All Time. In fact, it’s her dedication to her R&B foundation that has helped her become one of music’s most innovative, impactful and impressive artists. The 35-time Grammy-winning Houstonian first hit the Billboard charts as the lead vocalist of Destiny’s Child, the girl group in which she honed her now-signature staccato rap-singing, a vocal approach that can be heard in virtually every contemporary R&B song today. After spinning out R&B classics like “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills, Bills,” Beyoncé ventured into solo stardom with 2003’s Dangerously in Love, a classic R&B record that combined Bootsy Collins- and Chi-Lites-sampling funk, Donna Summer-nodding disco and sultry soul balladry to the tune of four consecutive Hot 100 top five hits. Shortly after, she reteamed with her DC3 bandmates for another classic ‘00s R&B LP in Destiny Fulfilled, before flaunting her affinity for Southern-rooted up-tempo R&B across 2006’s B’Day.

As her focus shifted away from commercial dominance and toward artistic innovation at the top of the 2010s, Beyoncé used each new album to push the boundaries of contemporary R&B. 2011’s 4 paid tribute to classic R&B at the height of the EDM era, her eponymous 2013 album played with the dark hip-hop and electronic flourishes of alternative R&B and 2022’s Renaissance exemplified the connection between house, gospel and soul. Even when she forayed into country music on 2024’s Cowboy Carter, R&B remained a driving force (“II Hands II Heaven,” “Desert Eagle”), as her dizzying riffs and runs colored her illumination of the genre’s obfuscated Black roots. With 31 top 10 hits on Hot R&B Songs, five R&B Albums chart-toppers, 21 Grammys across the R&B field and nearly $2 billion in cumulative touring gross, Beyoncé isn’t just one of the best R&B artists of all time: She’s a living encyclopedia of Black music, always seeking to add new, rule-defying entries. — K.D.

Must-Listen Song: “Dangerously in Love 2”

3. Michael Jackson

From popular child star (his pre-teen lead on the Jackson 5’s cover of “Who’s Lovin’ You” still amazes) to international phenomenon to hallowed legend, Michael Jackson reimagined the possibilities of contemporary R&B. A student of the game, he accumulated the best parts of the showmanship of James Brown and Jackie Wilson, adapted them for the MTV generation with sticky hooks and innovative visuals, and – never content – incorporated New Jack Swing and other sub-genre pockets for fresh twists to his trademark sound. The results speak for themselves: Off the Wall was the first solo album with four top 10 Hot 100 hits, Bad sparked five No. 1s alone, and Thriller is – well, Thriller. But for all of Jackson’s sonic prowess, the perennial pupil was the master of live performances. A tour, award show spot or Super Bowl performance morphed into its own spectacle, crafting a textbook of Black song-and-dance tradition that artists such as Beyoncé, Usher and Chris Brown have meticulously studied. Yes, he’s the King of Pop – but even as amid his dizzying, global, possibly never-to-be-seen again heights, Jackson forever remained grounded in his R&B roots. — T.A.

Must-Listen Song: “Remember the Time”

2. Aretha Franklin

Arriving 12 years after Ray Charles ushered R&B music into the mainstream arena, Aretha Franklin shot to groundbreaking heights herself as one of the genre’s most heralded voices. A talented pianist as well, she signed her first recording contract with Columbia at just 18 in 1960, but nothing fully clicked during her tenure there. It wasn’t until she signed with Atlantic Records in 1966 that she soared to astronomical heights. The earthy, gospel-bred singer’s distinctive mezzo-soprano became one of music’s most uniquely recognizable voices with her explosive cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” in 1967. Featured on her debut album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, the single ruled atop both the R&B and Hot 100 charts for multiple weeks, while also becoming an anthem for the civil rights movement and female empowerment.

It was the first of many classic original hits and covers graced by Franklin’s dynamic voice. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Think,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Freeway of Love,” and her piercing duet with George Michael on “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” are among the dozens of songs that helped crown her the Queen of Soul. During a career spanning over five decades, Franklin was honored with numerous accolades before her passing in 2018, including 18 Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her unparalleled musical charisma and craftsmanship remain enduring influences on later generations of artists. — M.C.G.

Must-Listen Song: “Respect”

1. Stevie Wonder

Stevland Morris was just 11 years old when he signed with Motown subsidiary Tamla Records. Professionally rechristened Stevie Wonder, the youngster quickly made it understood why that moniker was a perfect fit. The child prodigy notched his first No. 1 R&B and Hot 100 single at 13 with “Fingertips – Pt. 2” in 1963 — and hasn’t stopped since. Having recently celebrated his 75th birthday, Wonder is now a revered pioneer whose formidable arsenal of skills — singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger — paved his yellow brick road to an unprecedented run of musical wizardry and groundbreaking albums in the ‘70s, incorporating R&B, soul, pop, gospel, funk and jazz. But first came his teen-era, career-building classics like “I Was Made to Love Her,” “For Once in My Life,” “My Cherie Amour” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”

Then in his early 20s, with his elastic and emotive tenor in tow, along with a bid for more creative freedom at Motown, a maturing Wonder reintroduced himself with the 1972 releases Music of My Mind (“Superwoman”) and his first No. 1 R&B album Talking Book (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Superstition”). And next, the floodgates opened, as three more No. 1 R&B albums — and three Grammy album of the year wins — ensued: 1973’s Innervisions (“Higher Ground”), 1974’s Fullfillingness’ First Finale (“Boogie on Reggae Woman”) and the double-LP opus Songs in the Key of Life (“Sir Duke,” “I Wish”). The string of No. 1 R&B albums continued through the ‘80s, including Hotter Than July and two soundtracks, The Woman in Red (featuring the Oscar-winning best song “I Just Called to Say I Love You”) and Jungle Fever.

While his musical output might have slowed in recent decades, the 25-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member still remains a live concert draw. But above all the accolades and hits, Wonder — like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and other pioneers on this best-of list — helped erect the foundation on which later and new next-gen R&B artists stand. — G.M.

Must-Listen Song: “As”

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