Top 10 Best R&B Singers of All Time
R&B is the genre that brought us soul-soaked confessions, sensual grooves, and those late-night tracks that somehow explain exactly how you're feeling even when you don't have the words yourself.R&B, short for rhythm and blues, has always been more than just a sound. It's a feeling. It's the aching falsetto in a breakup ballad, the confident swagger in a groove-heavy banger, and the velvet tone that slides into your ears and sticks with you for days. It blends emotion with style, rawness with polish. At its best, R&B artists don't just sing. They bleed through the speakers. Their voices carry stories of love, struggle, redemption, and sometimes just the thrill of the dance floor.
The genre has constantly evolved. From the smoky clubs and Motown studios of the '60s and '70s to the genre-blurring experiments of modern-day hitmakers, R&B has changed shapes many times. Classic crooners gave way to silky smooth vocalists, then to artists who fuse soul, pop, hip-hop, and even electronic elements. Still, the defining trait of a great R&B singer has remained the same. They make you feel something.
This list of the best R&B singers is a celebration of those voices that have moved generations. These are the artists who've given you slow dances, ugly cries, late-night road trip anthems, and maybe even that one song you sent to your crush in high school hoping they'd finally get the hint. Think someone deserves more love? Vote them up and help shape the list of the greatest R&B voices to ever do it.
Amirhossein Maghsoudloo, born September 21, 1987, and better known by his stage name Amir Tataloo, is an Iranian singer and songwriter. He was born in the Majidiyeh neighborhood of Tehran... read more The greatest R&B artist ever. If his singing language were English, he would break all the records. He was releasing hits after hits every week, and by the end of the week, all Farsi-speaking people were singing them. Now, he is arrested in Iran, so we pray for his freedom.
King Amir Tataloo is the best of all-time human being in history. If you can call him human because he is more than any human. He is the champion of my generation and the greatest teacher for his society. He has brought many new styles into the world from lifestyle and music to sports. No one can even be compared and near him.
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 I was blown away when I first listened to Michael Jackson's Butterflies a cappella. His range, pitch, and delivery as a singer are perfect. Not only that, but Michael can sing all kinds of styles such as Broadway, rock, soul, and classical. Did you know Michael Jackson was also an incredible beatboxer?
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career as lead singer of Destiny's Child. The group scored multiple Billboard No. 1 hits including "Say My Name," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Survivor," "Independent Women," and "Bootylicious." After their split,... read more
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 I'm kinda okay with Luther Vandross or Michael Jackson (who, let's be honest, inspired Brian himself in some way) being above him. But I wouldn't put Usher, Akon, or Nicole Scherzinger (who are good but not as legendary as Brian) above him, and I definitely would not put Chris Brown or Beyoncé (who are very overrated) even near him!
Love McKnight! His voice takes me to another dimension.
Come on, him and Joe are supposed to be in the top five, not Chris Brown or Beyonce.
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 I think he's good. Confessions is one of my favorite R&B albums of all time, and Here I Stand is great too. But he's definitely not better than Joe, Brian McKnight, Johnny Gill, Luther, Teddy, Marvin, etc.
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... read more Beyoncé above Luther is an insult to music. Beyoncé isn't even R&B, pop is not R&B!
Beyoncé and Chris Brown above Luther? Wow. They shouldn't even be in the top 50. There are so many better singers than overrated Beyoncé and Chris Brown!
Luther should be number one. He's the master of vocal notes.
Nicole Scherzinger, born Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente on June 29, 1978, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of the pop and R&B group The Pussycat Dolls. Scherzinger has also appeared as a judge on various talent... read more She's got an incredible voice (as demonstrated by her live performances), but sadly she doesn't sing as much R&B as she should and instead makes mostly generic pop music that hides her beautiful, soulful voice.
It is a shame too, because she really could have been unstoppable as an R&B artist with great music.
She has a great voice, and I wish she had more true R&B songs to show it off. Plus, don't forget she's fine!
Nicole Scherzinger! No doubt about this chick!
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 He has one of the best voices I've ever heard! It's upsetting that people with so little talent are more famous than him.
He needs to be higher! He should be above Beyoncé, the pretentious mainstream artist, and Chris Brown, who is nowhere as good as Johnny is and uses auto-tune on every song!
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, better known as Akon, is an American-Senegalese singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, and businessman. He rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his debut album Trouble, which included the hit single Locked Up. Akon has since released several successful... read more He has one of the best lyrical and flowing songs. Konvict and Koncrete are two of his albums that reached platinum.
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. This list is just sad. How is the man who inspired all of these people not even in the top five, let alone the top 10! And to make it worse, he is under Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Drake, Eminem, and The Weeknd as well as some singers who are good but are not as legendary as Teddy.
Teddy is an R&B GOAT and should be in the top five.
Usher is good and deserves a spot on this list, but definitely not higher than Teddy, Luther, or Marvin.
The Newcomers
Super underrated singer! If you love soulful, sophisticated R&B and have never heard of this man before, do yourself a huge favor and give his music a listen. You will be hooked for good!
Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor from Toronto. He first gained public attention as an actor on the Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation before launching a music career. Drake's become one of the world's best-selling... read more He has some R&B songs here and there, but he's more of a rapper to be honest. But I do think he's a better R&B singer than he is as a rapper. As an R&B singer, he's kind of like a better version of The-Dream.
Zain Javadd Malik, born on January 12, 1993, and known mononymously as ZAYN, is a British singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Bradford, he pursued a music career from a young age, leading him to audition as a solo artist for the British television music competition The X Factor in 2010. After... read more He's much better than The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. Him and BJ the Chicago Kid are the best doing it right now!
For a 2010s artist, he's one of the few good ones.
Charles Kent "Charlie" Wilson, also known as Uncle Charlie, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He is the former lead vocalist of The Gap Band. Wilson has had a successful solo career and has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards. Uncle Charlie definitely should be higher than Drake, the Canadian crybaby, and The Weeknd, the whiny pop artist. That's for sure.
Abęl Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally by his stage name The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario. He began uploading music to YouTube in 2010 and later released several studio albums, including Kiss Land, Beauty Behind... read more He should clearly be much higher. What is Drake even doing above him? He is a rapper. He is arguably the most successful artist in the world, and his songs back it up. If you think he is overrated, just watch The Hills, Starboy, or Wicked Games, and you will see that he is worth the hype.
He has amazing vocals. Listen to "Wicked Games." "Starboy" is awesome and sincere. Just like Beyoncé's "Hold Up," his "The Hills" and "Party Monster" reveal his darker persona. He should be at least number 10 on the list.
This man set the bar for modern R&B. His trilogy is still one of the best albums ever.
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 moments, but then he also has his awful stuff (like Black Panties). I personally wouldn't put him in my top 5 or maybe not even top 10, but probably definitely in the top 20.
One of the greatest R&B singers of all time is not number 1 and is below Chris Brown, the mainstream pop artist? Akon, who is good but not as legendary as R. Kelly, is above him? And Beyoncé, the pretentious mainstream artist?
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009... read more This is just insulting. How is she not at least in the top 3? And she is under Beyoncé and Rihanna? Those girls are nowhere near Whitney and could never dream of being half as great as she was. "Saving All My Love" is better than Beyoncé's entire career.
It's an insult to have her listed so low. Easily one of the greatest inspirations for a lot of R&B artists (especially women).
No one can sing better than Whitney!
Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister... read more
Rick James was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and began his musical career in his teenage years, performing in various bands. In the early 1960s, he joined the U.S. Navy to avoid being drafted and later rose to fame with... read more
Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She's one of the best-selling female artists in music history, with 19 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100... read more She's the queen, nobody can top her. Beyoncé, take notes.
Jason Joel Desrouleaux, known professionally as Jason Derulo, is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. He rose to fame with his debut single "Whatcha Say," which was released in 2009 and went triple platinum. Other hit singles include "Ridin' Solo," "In My Head," "Wiggle," "Talk Dirty," "Trumpets,"... read more With his incorporation of K-pop elements, he's somewhat strayed from his R&B roots. However, every now and then he releases a song that'll remind you he is an R&B artist.
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
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... read more Maybe people have heard an Al Green song. They just didn't know the song was his. Another trailblazer for R&B artists.
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 This guy is the grandfather of modern R&B, and it's a shame few people even know about him. From Michael and Prince to Usher and Ne-Yo, James Brown paved the way for all of the artists we have now.
Christopher Maurice "Chris" Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, he participated in his church choir and several local talent shows from a young age. He gained international notoriety in 2009 for his physical assault of singer... read more Given a lot of his new music isn't really R&B anymore, his older works are definitely worthy of some recognition. From 'With You' to 'No Air' with Jordin Sparks, Chris definitely has it in him if he ever chooses to go back to it.
To say this guy is talented is an understatement. He isn't even my favorite R&B artist. People will hate on him because of his previous problems, and he's not quite the role model, but this list isn't about that! He is definitely one of the best voices in R&B now.
It's odd that he's hated now these days. He used to do good songs.
Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and actress. A classically trained pianist, she began composing music at age 12 and released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in 2001. To date, Keys has sold... read more She's not as good as she once was, but she set a high standard for female R&B artists.