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.

1. Amir Tataloo

   

   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.

   Tataloo is an underground musician who is not authorized by Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance... read more

   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.

   Amir Tataloo is the best R&B singer in the world.

   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.

2. 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

   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?

   While I prefer Prince, I admit that when it comes to R&B, he is first.

3. Beyoncé

   

   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

4. 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

5. 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

   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.

6. 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

   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.

7. Nicole Scherzinger

   

   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!

8. 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

   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!

9. 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.

   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.

10. Akon

    

    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.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Miles Jaye

    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!

12. ?

    Howard Hewett

    
The Contenders

13. Zayn Malik

    

    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 leaving... 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.

14. 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 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?

15. Charlie Wilson

    

    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.

16. Drake

    

    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.

17. The Weeknd

    

    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.

18. Whitney Houston

    

    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!

19. Aretha Franklin

    

    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

20. 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

21. Rick James

    

    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

22. 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

    Another one of the OG R&B artists. If you don't know who these older R&B artists are, you're doing yourself a great disservice.

23. 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

    Maybe people have heard an Al Green song. They just didn't know the song was his. Another trailblazer for R&B artists.

24. Mariah Carey

    

    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.

    She's often regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and videos, and has been noted in the press... read more

    She's the queen, nobody can top her. Beyoncé, take notes.

25. 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

    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.

26. 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

    Robbed! Might I just point out that one of the greatest voices to ever exist is under Rihanna!

    Should be number one. Better voice than a lot of artists before him!

27. Bruno Mars

    

    Peter Gene Hernandez, professionally known as Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer.

    Mars rose to fame in 2010 through his collaborations on the hits "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, both of which featured... read more

    No comments yet? Let's fix that. I love his older music and his singing voice!