Top 10 Best Male R&B Singers

R&B, or rhythm and blues, is a genre rich in history, heart, and downright hypnotic beats. It's the music that makes you sway, that touches your soul, and resonates with your feelings. R&B has been shaping our musical landscape for decades now, offering us some of the most incredible voices and talents to ever grace the airwaves.

The best R&B singers bring something more to the table. They're the charismatic storytellers, the melodious poets, and the soulful vocalists who draw us into their world with every note they sing. They've got the power to make us feel, to make us dance, to make us reflect. They've got the it factor.

These artists have poured their hearts into their music, creating rhythm-infused masterpieces that still echo in our hearts and minds. Their unique voices have carried us through a gamut of emotions, and in many ways, they've helped to define and redefine the very essence of R&B itself.

1. Michael Jackson

   

   Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

   Michael Joseph Jackson, the King of Pop. Michael Jackson is my favorite music artist of all time. His songs, his artistry, and his performances are nothing short of iconic.

   King of Contemporary R&B and Pop Music. Has scored hits in every decade since the sixties. Even after his tragic death in 2009, he continued to be popular.

   Seriously? Usher and Chris Brown? I'm kind of okay with Luther Vandross or Marvin Gaye being in front of him, but seriously, he inspired more than half the people on this list.

2. Stevie Wonder

   

   Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was a child prodigy and signed with Motown's Tamla label at age 11. Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards and is known for hits like Superstition and... read more

   Stevie Wonder is a musical genius. The run of albums he made from 1972-1976 is unparalleled. It is amazing and a blessing he is still here to create and perform great music for all.

   Stevie is one of my early vocal influences, and with his unmistakable vocal style and sound, he's just Stevie! 'Nuff said.

3. Marvin Gaye

   

   Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.. April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, initially as an in-house session musician and later as a solo artist with a series of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and... read more

   I believe Marvin Gaye is, if not the greatest, certainly in the running for being the greatest Male R&B Singer of All Time. His voice, his songs, and just him as a human being were able to deeply touch the hearts and souls of so many with his music.

   Should be no lower than two. However, he had more of the complete package, so you can make the argument for the number one position.

   Nobody is like Marvin. His smooth, unique vocals, his phrasing, and his songwriting set him apart as one of the best to do it.

4. James Brown

   

   James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer, and bandleader. A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century popular music and dance, he's often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul." His energetic performances and innovative rhythms influenced... read more

5. Ray Charles

   

   Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, and gospel styles. Charles won 17 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in... read more

6. Usher

   

   Usher Terry Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he sang in church choirs before moving with his mother and brother to Atlanta, Georgia, at age twelve, securing a recording contract with... read more

   Usher is an amazingly talented singer and performer. He arguably had one of the best runs in music history back in 2004 with the Confessions Album. He had three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with Yeah! topping the charts for 12 weeks and becoming the No. 1 song of 2004.

7. Luther Vandross

   

   Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Throughout his career, Vandross was an in-demand background vocalist for several different artists. He later gained fame as a solo artist, releasing successful albums such as Never Too Much and winning eight Grammy Awards... read more

   Luther changed the game. If I could only go to one of the hundreds of concerts I've ever seen, it would be a Luther concert. I saw him live many times. Pure excellence. He, along with Peabo Bryson, most influenced my vocals.

   This is truly comical. Vocal talent exceeds all of the artists listed from 1 to 19! These polls are usually based upon popularity and have little to do with sheer vocals, lyrics, and meaning behind the words that create the songs. I can extend credit to the other artists for achieving success in their chosen field, but none of them can hold a candle to "The Voice"!

8. Smokey Robinson

   

   William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group The Miracles. Robinson also served as the vice president of Motown Records and has had a successful solo career.

9. Lionel Richie

   

   Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. Beginning in 1968, he was a member of the funk and soul band the Commodores. He launched a successful solo career in 1982 with hits like Hello and All Night Long.

10. R. Kelly

    

    Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and convicted sex offender. He has been credited with helping to redefine R&B and hip hop, earning nicknames such as "the King of R&B," "the King of Pop-Soul," and the... read more

    He definitely has his great stuff (Love Letter, Chocolate Factory, parts of 12 Play and TP2), but then he also has his mid and downright terrible stuff (Black Panties, most of Double Up, parts of The Buffet and TP3).

    These inconsistencies, in my opinion, make him not quite deserving of that King of R&B title. Sorry, Robert.

    He is definitely number one on my list - hands down! I'll vote for him over and over again. I have been following this man since "Vibe" in 1992 and will continue to follow him.

    He's one of my favorites. Every song he does is brought to life.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Gerald Levert

    
12. ?

    Marcus Canty

The Contenders

13. Prince

    

    Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016) was an American musician, widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1980s. He was known for his eclectic musical style, flamboyant stage presence, and mastery of multiple instruments. Some of his most iconic songs include... read more

14. Joe

    

    Joe is the best R&B artist of the 90s not named Brian, lol! He's better than Usher, R. Kelly, and all of them.

    Usher and Kelly are good, but Joe is just on another level. He is one of the few singers who actually knows what R&B is all about and can truly sing his face off. The only ones I could say are better than him from the 90s are Brian McKnight and maybe Johnny Gill.

15. Donny Hathaway

    

    Donny Edward Hathaway was an American jazz, blues, soul, and gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, and pianist. He gained recognition in the 1970s for hits like A Song for You and duets with Roberta Flack such as Where Is the Love. Hathaway is widely regarded as one of the greatest soul artists of all... read more

    His smooth signature voice influenced me greatly as a teenager. Whether solo or with Roberta Flack, he raised the bar for me as a vocalist.

16. Trey Songz

    

    Tremaine Aldon Neverson, known professionally as Trey Songz, was born on November 28, 1984. He is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. His debut album I Gotta Make It was released in 2005 through Atlantic Records.... read more

    Trey Songz is so hot, he's hot and his music is too. If anything, he could be number one. All the girls love him because, let's face it, the man has swag and a lot of it too. My favorite song is "Can't Be Friends." He's just that good.

    Trey is good and deserves a spot on the list, but he definitely isn't better than Joe, Luther, Brian McKnight, Marvin Gaye, and many others.

    Trey Songz has so much sex appeal. It is unbelievable. That, along with his singing ability, would propel him to number one for me.

17. Brian McKnight

    

    Brian McKnight, born June 5, 1969, is an American R&B singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays eight instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, percussion, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn, and trumpet. He is recognized as one of the few leggiero tenors... read more

    Have you heard Brian McKnight? He should definitely be in the top five and ahead of Justin Timberlake. This list is ridiculous.

    His range is out of this world, and the control he has is the best I've ever heard in my life, just my opinion.

    Brian should be higher than that autotune-abusing clown who shall not be named.

18. Johnny Gill

    

    Johnny Gill Jr. (born May 22, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter known for his powerful, deep, and soulful voice, often compared to the late Teddy Pendergrass. He began his music career as a solo artist in the 1980s, releasing two albums that received limited attention. His career took a significant... read more

    Better than Usher, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, and yeah, obviously lightyears better than that auto-tune idiot known to true R&B heads as Chris Clown. The only ones from his generation I couldn't say he's better than are Brian McKnight and possibly Joe.

19. Teddy Pendergrass

    

    Theodore DeReese Pendergrass was an American singer, songwriter, and composer. He first rose to fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in the 1970s. He later launched a successful solo career beginning in the late 1970s and became one of the most prominent figures in R&B music.

    Definitely one of the all-time greats. If you haven't heard "Close the Door" or "Come Go with Me," your opinion on R&B is pretty irrelevant.

20. Mario

    

    Mario Dewar Barrett, born August 27, 1986, and known professionally as Mario, is an American R and B singer. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he signed a record deal with J Records at the age of 14 and released his self-titled debut studio album in 2002. Its lead single, "Just a Friend 2002,"... read more

    Definitely better than Chris the autotune clown.

21. Jaheim

    

    Jaheim Hoagland, born May 26, 1978, is an American R&B singer and former rapper. He was signed by Naughty by Nature's Kaygee to Divine Mill Records in 2000 and released his debut album Ghetto Love in 2001. His second album, Still Ghetto (2002), included the hit "Put That Woman First" and earned platinum... read more

    This is just disrespectful to have this man so low! He should be higher than The Weeknd, the whiny pop artist, and most definitely higher than Chris, the autotune clown.

22. John Legend

    

    John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He has won multiple Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award, Tony Award, and Golden Globe, making him one of the few EGOT winners. Legend has also appeared in television and film roles... read more

    John Legend, what can't be said about him? He has a beautiful soulful voice and has nominations and awards to prove it.

    One of the most amazingly gifted young men I have ever heard in my life.

    It is a shame that people like Chris Brown and August Alsina are getting awards that should go to TRUE R&B singers like John Legend, Musiq Soulchild, and Robin Thicke.

23. Tevin Campbell

    

24. Musiq Soulchild

    

    Taalib Johnson, professionally known as Musiq Soulchild or simply Musiq, is an American singer and songwriter. His musical style blends R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and gospel influences with hip hop. He rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like Love and Halfcrazy.

    He should be higher, and definitely ahead of The Weeknd, the whiny pop artist. His album run from 2000 to 2007 is one of the best in modern R and B, if not the best.

25. Al Green

    

    Albert Leornes Greene, often known as The Reverend Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s. His most famous songs include Let's Stay Together and Tired of Being Alone. Green was inducted into the Rock and... read more

    This man and Bobby Womack were the two singers that I sang to the most in my middle teens.

26. Raheem Devaughn

    

27. Maxwell

    

    Gerald Maxwell Rivera, better known by his stage names Maxwell and Musze, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is credited with helping to shape the neo-soul movement with his debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite in 1996. Maxwell has won multiple Grammy Awards throughout... read more

    Maxwell is the only person who truly understands what R&B is all about.