We’ve all been staying in more during the pandemic and possibly listening to more music. Listening to R&B tunes while cleaning or while relaxing for the evening was a favorite pastime. We don’t hear much about R&B artists anymore. Here are some vocalists to spruce up your R&B collection. Some you may remember and some you may have never heard.
Note: This list is not ranked in any particular order – they are all talented Black folk I have chosen to highlight. Click on the artists’ name for direct access to their Spotify music page
Kevin Ross
This D.C. native fuses soul and R&B with songs like Long Song Away, Nothing Even Matters, and Thing Called Love.
Fantasia
This sultry diva is pure Rock Soul! The multi-platinum, American Idol winner has a slew of hits such as When I See U, Free Yourself, This is Me, and Without Me.
Tevin Campbell
He was just 12 years old when he was signed and blew our minds with his mellow voice. Campbell’s timeless classics include Tell Me What You Want Me to Do, Always In My Heart, and of course, the smash hit Can We Talk.
Brandy
A living legend with such hits as I Wanna Be Down, Baby, Brokenhearted, Angel in Disguise, Full Moon, and much more. What else is there to say?
Al B. Sure!
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, this R&B heartthrob gave us hits like Off On Your Own (Girl) and Nite and Day.
Karyn White
She is not your Superwoman! Other tunes include The Way You Love Me, Secret Rendezvous, and the sultry duet with Babyface, Love Saw It.
Kem
Kem’s Say, Love Calls, Can You Feel It, and If Its Love will have you all in your feels!
SWV
Right Here (Human Nature Remix), Fine Time, Downtown, Weak, and I’m So Into You don’t even scratch the surface of HITS by this multi-talented trio from NYC!
112
Formerly a quartet, this multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning group has given us smooth hits for 20 years! Cupid, Anywhere, I’ll Be Missing You, and U Already Know are just some of what you can add to your musical library!
Zhané
These ladies came onto the scene in the early 1990s and gave us memorable tunes such as Sending My Love, Groove Thang, and the smash Hey Mr. DJ!
Freddie Jackson
Nice & Slow, You Are My Lady, and Jam Tonight are a few of my faves!
Anita Baker
My mornings don’t seem right if I’m not listening to You Belong to Me, Caught Up In the Rapture, Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year), & Sweet Love. The list can go on and on.
Luther Vandross
Multi-award-winning, velvety smooth-voiced Luther was IT! His covers of A House Is Not A Home and Endless Love are timeless. If Only For One Night, Never Too Much, and If This World Were Mine are also great to add to your musical shelf.
Ari Lennox
This Beauty from D.C. crept on the scene only a few years ago, but her voice is reminiscent of 1970s soul. La La La La, Chicago Boy, Speak To Me, and of course, Shea Butter Baby are wonderful additions to your “lovemaking playlist”.
Mali Music
Hailing from Phoenix, Mali is a multi-instrumentalist soul singer. Take a listen to No Fun Alone and Little Lady.
Melanie Fiona
This Canadian songbird’s octave range is impressive! Sad Songs, Like I Love You, and Give It To Me Right are always in rotation.
Jazmine Sullivan
Philadelphia native Jazmine follows the legacy of many other R&B legends from the city of Brotherly Love. She is one of my absolute favorite voices of this genre for that past few years. Brand New, Masterpiece (Mona Lisa), Insecure, and In Love With Another Man simply take you there!
Musiq Soulchild
I have loved this man’s voice since I was 11 years old (I am about to be 33!). Love, Mary Go Round, Aime Wit Ue, ms. philadelphia, and yes are simply amazing to rock and whimper too when you’re having one of those days.
Sade
This band (yes, Sade is a band), has been delivering hit after hit for more than 30 years. Led by the beautiful Helen Folasade Adu, it’s not shocking that they have remained a relevant R&B powerhouse. Give a listen to Your Love is King, Paradise, No Ordinary Love, and Kiss of Life. I’m sure it’ll keep you yearning for more.
Boyz II Men
This list wouldn’t be complete without my favorite boy band. With sensual songs like Please Don’t Go, On Bended Knee, Water Runs Dry and I’ll Make Love To You, it is obvious why they are the number 1 selling R&B boy band of ALL TIME.
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