The best new artists, albums, and hits for your 2023 playlists, ranked by over 1 million votes. Click to make your opinion heard.

You Gotta Hear This

2023

2022 may have set the bar really high for R&amp;B artists, but honestly, this year's hottest rhythm and blues singer-songwriters are ready to takeover everyone's playlists. From&nbsp;Grammy Award winner SZA's sensational sophomore album SOS to Chris Brown's critically-acclaimed Breezy, 2023's top R&amp;B music effortlessly fuses dynamic hip-hop/soul instrumentals with diverse cross-cultural influences while simultaneously staying true to the genre's traditional roots. Industry queens Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, and Lizzo never cease to slay with their flawless records; and Gen Z musicians Steve Lacy, H.E.R., Jorja Smith, and Chlöe continue to shatter glass ceilings with their exceptional talent.Which trending R&amp;B musicians&nbsp;are you most excited to see live, and whose records are you currently listening to?&nbsp;Vote below for the best R&amp;B artists&nbsp;of 2023, and be sure to also check out this year's&nbsp;top&nbsp;new R&amp;B songs afterwards.

The Best R&amp;B Artists Of 2023

Band/Musician

The Best R&B Artists Of 2023

Jared Baly

The must industry's 2023 female R&amp;B roster only continues to thrive as these soulful leading ladies release powerful new music and headline upcoming festivals throughout the year. Sultry superstar SZA shattered numerous records with her highly-anticipated sophomore studio album SOS, and millennial songstress Ari Lennox remains an empowering force of nature across the R&amp;B world, captivating listeners with her second full-length project age/sex/location. Queen Beyoncé builds upon her ever-growing empire with the sensational disco-infused RENAISSANCE album, creating an inviting dance space for all listeners; and H.E.R. never ceases to collaborate with multi-talented A-list musicians across diverse genres.&nbsp;Which trending female R&amp;B artists are you most excited to see live, and whose records are you currently listening to?&nbsp;Vote below for the best female R&amp;B singers of 2023, and be sure to also check out this year's&nbsp;top&nbsp;new R&amp;B songs afterwards.

The Best Female R&amp;B Singers Of 2023

The Best Female R&B Singers Of 2023

2023 Music

If there ever was a year for male R&amp;B singers, it's 2023. From Chris Brown's epic comeback to Gen Z singer-songwriter Steve Lacy's sudden rise to fame, this year's current roster of R&amp;B male artists only continues to melt hearts across the globe. Crossover Billboard charts royalty The Weeknd, Khalid, and John Legend never cease to curate our weekly playlists with their catchy hit singles, and Heartthrobs GIVĒON and Lucky Daye consistently deliver premium content throughout their latest records. Maryland native superstar Brent Faiyaz indisputably defies “gravity” since releasing his sophomore album WASTELAND; and 2022 Album of the Year Grammy recipient&nbsp;(and Oscar winner) Jon Batiste&nbsp;has finally become a household name (with hopefully more film scores in the works).Which trending male R&amp;B singers are you most excited to see live, and whose records are you currently listening to?&nbsp;Vote below for the best male R&amp;B artists of 2023, and be sure to also check out this year's&nbsp;top&nbsp;new R&amp;B songs afterwards.

The Best Male R&amp;B Singers Of 2023

The Best Male R&B Singers Of 2023

Find someone to harmonize with and sing some of the&nbsp;best R&amp;B duets at your next karaoke party. Including &#39;90s throwbacks and recent hits, this list of famous R&amp;B duets features <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-karaoke-songs/ranker-music?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">great karaoke songs</a> for couples, friends, or your&nbsp;entire group.&nbsp;

Vote up the best R&amp;B duets for karaoke night, and add your favorites if they&#39;re missing from the list.&nbsp;

The Best R&B Duets To Sing At Karaoke

Song

The 50+ Best R&B Karaoke Duets, Ranked By Fans

Ranker Music

Lists that rank the best bands and musicians in every genre.

Ranking Top Bands and Artists

Ranking the greatest R&B artists, songs, and subgenres from the late ‘70s up to today. 

Songs With Soul

Update:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5HoqewO6vWg56L3VcngyI7?si=lPUDQFXWTYK4pzPSdrHRzw" target="_blank">Follow Ranker's official New R&amp;B 2020 playlist&nbsp;on Spotify</a>!When it comes to the pop charts, R&amp;B artists tend to be among the most popular. The best R&amp;B singers have been topping the pop charts for years as rhythm and blues has remained a bedrock of music. Emerging as a genre in the 1940s, R&amp;B also incorporates soul and funk.&nbsp;Many of of the top R&amp;B artists are household names and their songs chart-toppers. Though R&amp;B has its roots in African-American music, the best R&amp;B singers have crossed over and due to their radio smashes, they're able to sell out arenas across the globe.So, that said, who are the best R&amp;B artists? Since this list takes a look at every R&amp;B singer, there are going to be a number of excellent choices. That's why you'll see R&amp;B icons like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, along with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-new-rhythm-and-blues-artists-2019/ranker-music" target="_blank">newer R&amp;B stars</a> such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Adele, Usher and Drake on here. All of these great artists are known as some of the best rhythm and blues singers, so their inclusion shouldn't come as a big surprise.Ultimately, it's up to you to determine who is the best R&amp;B artist. If you notice that someone isn't on this list and should be, feel free to add them. Vote or re-rank this list according to how you think it should reflect your opinion on R&amp;B.&nbsp;This list answers the questions &quot;who are the best rhythm and blues bands of all time?&quot; and &quot;who is the greatest rhythm and blues musician ever?&quot;&nbsp;If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular rhythm and blues bands that you might've heard of.

Ray Charles

The Greatest R&amp;B Artists of All Time

Best R&B Bands | List of Best Rhythm And Blues Artists/Groups

1980s

Soulful, sultry, and smooth, the best &#39;80s R&amp;B duets are the perfect soundtrack to any slow dance or date night. Or, if you want to turn things down a notch at karaoke night, these classic R&amp;B songs are perfect, no matter who your partner is: in addition to the countless good <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-70s-karaoke-duet-songs/ranker-music?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">male and female duets</a>, there are many performed between two women or two men.&nbsp;

From famous love songs like Lionel Richie and Diana Ross&#39;s timeless R&amp;B classic&nbsp;&quot;Endless Love,&quot; to uplifting hits such as Aretha Franklin and George Michael&#39;s&nbsp;&quot;I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,&quot;&nbsp; the&nbsp;songs on this list feature many of the top R&amp;B singers of all time.&nbsp;But, while each of these velvety singles is sure to make the room nostalgic, it&#39;s up to you to decide which 1980s R&amp;B duet is the best of all time.&nbsp;

Vote up the best R&amp;B duets of the &#39;80s&nbsp;below!

The Best '80s R&B Duets

The 40+ Best '80s R&B Duets, Ranked

Coley Reed

Here are the best R&amp;B karaoke songs, ranked by fans everywhere.&nbsp;From the people who are stone-cold sober to the folks who have had one too many, you want everyone to be able to sing along and enjoy the ride. Even if you are not the best singer, everyone will have a great time as long as you pick something that is instantly recognizable. You can bring things down a notch by selecting one of the fantastic R&amp;B songs on this list. Choose from the most popular R&amp;B karaoke songs,&nbsp;so that you can impress that one special person in the crowd.&nbsp;

The songs on this list are sung by some of the greatest singers of all time. Don&#39;t worry about trying to match their talent. Karaoke is all about having fun and getting everyone else to sing with you. The most important part is that you have a great time while singing. With so many good R&amp;B karaoke songs to choose from, you should not feel at a loss for when you&#39;re flipping through the bar&#39;s booklet. Remember to vote for your go-to karaoke songs.&nbsp;

The Best R&B Karaoke Songs

The 50+ Best R&B Karaoke Songs, Ranked By Fans

Given R&amp;B's soulful nature and emphasis on romantic lyrics, it should as no surprise that songs about missing loved ones make up&nbsp;a major theme in the genre.&nbsp; From lamenting friends&nbsp;and family members who have passed, to pining for lovers who are far away these R&amp;B classics say &quot;I miss you&quot; in a powerful way that can resonate with any listenerThe songs on this list stretch&nbsp;from the '70s, '80s, and '90s, to 2019 and beyond, and feature hits from top names such as Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, and Destiny's Child. Of course,&nbsp; all of the entries on this list of R&amp;B songs about missing someone are good in their own right, but it's up to you to determine which tracks are the best of the best. What are your top 10 R&amp;B&nbsp;&quot;I miss you&quot; songs of all time? Which track would top your playlist of R&amp;B&nbsp;songs about missing your boyfriend or girlfriend?&nbsp;Vote up your favorite R&amp;B&nbsp;songs about missing someone below, and be sure to add any that you feel we may have missed.

The 50+ Best R&B Songs About Missing Someone

The 50+ Best R&B Songs About Missing Someone, Ranked By Fans

Heidi Bagshaw

Soulful, sultry, and smooth, the best &#39;90s R&amp;B duets are the perfect soundtrack to any slow dance or date night. Or, if you want to turn things down a notch at karaoke night, these classic R&amp;B songs are perfect, no matter who your partner is: in addition to the countless good <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-90s-karaoke-duet-songs/ranker-music?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">male and female duets</a>, there are many performed between two women or two men.&nbsp;

From famous love songs like Toni Braxton and Babyface&#39;s &quot;Give U My Heart,&quot; to spiritually uplifting hits such as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston&#39;s &quot;When You Believe,&quot;&nbsp; the&nbsp;songs on this list feature many of the top R&amp;B singers of all time.&nbsp;But, while each of these velvety singles is sure to make the room nostalgic, it&#39;s up to you to decide which 1990s R&amp;B duet is the best of all time.&nbsp;

Vote up the best R&amp;B duets of the &#39;90s below, and be sure to add any that you feel we might have missed.

The Best '90s R&B Duets

The 50+ Best Throwback '90s R&B Duets, Ranked

1970s

Soulful, sultry, and smooth, the best &#39;70s R&amp;B duets are the perfect soundtrack to any slow dance or date night. Or, if you want to turn things down a notch at karaoke night, these classic R&amp;B songs are perfect, no matter who your partner is: in addition to the countless good <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-90s-karaoke-duet-songs/ranker-music?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">male and female duets</a>, there are many performed between two women or two men.&nbsp;

From famous love songs, like Peaches &amp; Herbs&#39; R&amp;B classic &quot;Reunited,&quot; to&nbsp;uplifting hits such as Ike and Tina Turner&#39;s &quot;Proud Mary,&quot;&nbsp; the&nbsp;songs on this list feature many of the top R&amp;B singers of all time.&nbsp;But, while each of these velvety singles is sure to make the room nostalgic, it&#39;s up to you to decide which 1970s R&amp;B duet is the best of all time.&nbsp;

Vote up the best R&amp;B duets of the &#39;70s below, and be sure to add any that you feel we might have missed.

The Best '70s R&B Duets

The Top 40 Best '70s R&B Duets, Ranked

Below we’re counting down the best trios in R&amp;B music. There are a lot of iconic groups on this list of popular R&amp;B trios. But which of these 3 piece R&amp;B bands are your favorite?From Destiny’s Child to The Impressions, you’re sure to recognize at least some of these famous R&amp;B music trios. Nineties fans are sure to recognize trios such as Blaque and 3LW.Which of these R&amp;B groups with three members do you think is the best? Vote up your favorite trio bands in R&amp;B and if we’ve missed one, feel free to add it to the list.

The Best R&B Trios Of All Time

The 40+ Greatest Trios In R&B Music, Ranked By Fans

Given R&amp;B's sultry nature and emphasis on sensual lyrics, it should as no surprise that songs about cheating make up&nbsp;a major theme in the genre. Whether cheating boyfriends or unfaithful girlfriends are to blame, these R&amp;B cheating songs show both sides of the coin, with some singers lamenting about being cheated on,&nbsp;and others telling stories about loving someone who is taken.&nbsp;It's never good when you or your loved one is unfaithful, but these great songs provide a small silver lining. And, because infidelity is a flaw as old as time, the songs on this list stretch&nbsp;from the '70s, '80s, and '90s, to 2019 and beyond.Featuring hits from Destiny's Child, Shaggy, and Marvin Gaye,&nbsp;all of the entries on this list of R&amp;B songs about cheating are good in their own right, but it's up to you to determine which tracks are the best of the best. What are your top 10 R&amp;B&nbsp;cheating songs of all time? Which track would top your playlist of R&amp;B&nbsp;songs about secret lovers?&nbsp;Vote up your favorite R&amp;B&nbsp;songs about cheating below, and be sure to add any that you feel we may have missed.

The Best R&B Songs About Cheating & Adultery

The 50+ Best R&B Songs About Cheating, Ranked

R&amp;B is a unique musical genre because it combines elements of pop, soul, funk, and hip hop. When most people think of this&nbsp;style, legendary singers like Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston likely come to mind. They reminisce about lovely songs you can slowly grind to. Sometimes, it takes more than one artist to get the job done. That is why there are numerous duos in R&amp;B music, both male and female. If you&#39;re looking for some new acts to follow, then give the artists on this list a listen.

Some popular, famous R&amp;B duos and two-person groups include K-Ci &amp; JoJo, Chloe x Halle, dvsn, Majid Jordan, and Snakehips.&nbsp;

This list has the best R&amp;B duos of all time. Some are new to the industry while others have been cranking out hits for years. Vote below for the artists whom you like to tune on when you want to take things down a notch.&nbsp;

The Best R&amp;B Duos Of All-Time

The 40+ Best R&B Duos Ever, Ranked By Fans

Friendship

What are the best R&amp;B songs about friendship? R&amp;B is a versatile genre that has evolved significantly over decades, but one commonality throughout the years is that it works well for songs about love and camaraderie with your friends. When you and your best friends want to put the whole bar in a good mood during karaoke, nothing gets the job done quite like a touching R&amp;B single&nbsp;about the importance of friendship.&nbsp;Plenty of songs have captured this feeling over the years. One of the all-time&nbsp;best songs about friendship in any&nbsp;genre is the '70s classic &quot;Lean On Me&quot; by Bill Withers. Meanwhile hits from the 2000s and beyond, like Destiny Child's &quot;Girl,&quot; are a no-brainer for inclusion on this list.&nbsp;What do you think the best R&amp;B songs about friendship are? Vote for your favorites below and get ready to dedicate at least one to your best bud.&nbsp;

The 50 Best R&B Songs About Friendship And Liking Your Best Friend

The 50 Best R&B Songs About Friendship, Ranked By Fans

Mike Bedard

1990s

If you're making a throwback playlist, here are <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-r-rated-action-movies-films/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the best R</a>&amp;B songs of the '90s. Including classic slow jams&nbsp;and old school hits, the list of '90s R&amp;B songs features popular artists, like Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, TLC, and K-CI &amp; JoJo. Take a trip down memory lane with the top R&amp;B songs of the '90s.&nbsp;Vote up the best '90s R&amp;B songs, and add your favorites if they're missing from the list.

The Best R&amp;B Songs Of The '90s, Ranked

The 50+ Best '90s R&B Songs & Old School Slow Jams, Ranked By Fans

Ranking the all-time greatest and hottest new Christmas songs and albums for your yuletide singalongs and party playlists.

That's the Jingle Bell Rock

Graveyard Shift

Nothing goes better with hot chocolate&nbsp;in the wintertime than the best R&amp;B Christmas albums of all-time.&nbsp;Featuring great&nbsp;Christmas songs from popular R&amp;B singers, like John Legend, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, and Mary J. Blige, this list of R&amp;B holiday albums is the perfect starting point for creating your Christmas music playlist. What are the top Christmas R&amp;B albums ever?

Vote up the best R&amp;B and soul Xmas albums, and add your favorites if they deserve a spot on this list.

The Best R&B Christmas Albums Of All Time

Musical Album

The 50+ Greatest R&B and Soul Christmas Albums Ever, Ranked By Fans

Jovaughn Brown

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