R&B/Hip-Hop

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”

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”

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”

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 & Higher” easily standing the test of time. — WILL KETCHUM

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

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”

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”

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”

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 ever 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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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 for You,” 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”

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”

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”

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”

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)”

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”

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”

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”