Top 10 Best R&B Artists of All Time

Of all the many different artists to attempt this fine genre known as R&B throughout the years and generations, who do you think are the all-time best?

The ones who truly understand what the genre is all about, and make you feel the soul with every note. This can also include groups.

The Top Ten

  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

    The King of Pop, Rock, and Soul. He was the king of music, and his music will forever live throughout the generations.

    Without Michael, the whole music scene would be different. He inspired most of your modern-day favorite R&B artists like Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, and Usher.

    The one you can never forget.

    Billie Jean is an R&B song.

  2. 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

    He always sings about the problems of the people in his country.

    Tataloo is the King of R&B and he's the first Persian R&B singer.

    He is the best R&B singer in the world and one of the best in the other genres he sings.

  3. Janet Jackson

    Janet Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer known for her innovative music, socially conscious lyrics, and elaborate stage shows. She gained prominence with her third album, Control (1986), and has since sold over 100 million records worldwide. Jackson is also recognized as... read more

    Yeah, my queen. A legend.

  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

    The GOAT of R&B. There's no one who could make jams as good as his.

  5. 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

    Probably the most genius artist ever. He always nails it in every genre.

    Such a brilliant voice.

    Doesn't make any sense if The Weeknd ranks lower than Usher on this list.

    His vocals are just something else.

  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

    Greatest singer of all time.

    Beyoncé above him is an insult to music.

  7. Joe

    Should definitely be higher than The Weeknd and Beyoncé.

  8. 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

    He's one of the greatest for sure, always with good and meaningful lyrics and great melodies.

  9. Frank Ocean

    Christopher Edwin Breaux, known professionally as Frank Ocean, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer and photographer. He is acclaimed for his unique musical style and emotionally nuanced lyrics. Ocean's albums Channel Orange and Blonde received widespread critical acclaim and commercial... read more

  10. Chris Brown

    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

    He the GOAT for real. King of R&B of this generation.

    He's the best R&B artist, but people are scared to admit it.

    King of R&B. CB.

    Greatest of all time.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Phil Perry

  12. ?

    Silk

    13. The Contenders

  13. TLC

    TLC is an American girl group whose original members were Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. They achieved fame in the 1990s with hits like "Waterfalls" and "No Scrubs." TLC became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

  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

  15. 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

    Gill, man. His voice and music are timeless. I was just listening to "My, My, My" and "There You Go" today, and they still hold up and sound as fresh as ever.

    When Chris Brown, the autotuned pop artist, is higher than this man on a supposed "R&B" list, you know there's a severe problem.

  16. 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.

  17. Ne-Yo

    Shaffer Chimere Smith, better known by his stage name Ne‑Yo, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. He has released multiple hit albums and won several Grammy Awards. In addition to his music career he has acted in films and produced songs for other artists.

  18. 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

    Best ever, only second to MJ.

  19. Boyz II Men

    Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for their emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. The group achieved international success in the 1990s with hits like End of the Road, I'll Make Love to You, and One Sweet Day with Mariah Carey. As of 2025, the group continues to perform with... read more

    I love this list. It takes me back to my 20s. Thank you.

    Ahh... Boyz II Men were so good.

    Boyz II Men can make anything sound good. It's what they do.

  20. Erykah Badu

    Erykah Badu is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She was born on February 26, 1971, and is often regarded as a leading figure in the neo-soul music movement. Badu gained widespread acclaim with her debut album Baduizm in 1997 and has won multiple Grammy Awards.

    The Queen of Neo Soul. Grammy winner.

    One of the most celebrated and recognized voices in R&B.

  21. 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

    Man, they really got the Canadian crybaby higher on this list than this legend. SMH.

    Who the heck are those no-talent wannabes above him?

  22. 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

  23. Beyonce

    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

    When you talk about R&B, few on this list qualify in any traditional sense. Many true R&B greats "of all time" are omitted.

    Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Aretha, Etta James, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Four Tops, Sam and Dave, Martha Reeves, Fontella Bass, Gladys Knight, The Supremes, and many more are much more worthy than many on this list. They deserve respect not only for their level of talent but as those who led the way.

  24. 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

    I mean, Usher and Ne-Yo are good, but Stevie Wonder is the master of this genre and the one that they all look up to.

    Very surprised he is this low. Would have expected he would be number 1 or 2.

  25. 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

    SMH. People have no respect for the good R&B singers anymore.

    Drake and Chris Brown? Really?

  26. Aaliyah

    Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16, 1979, and tragically died on August 25, 2001. She was a dancer, actress, model, and R&B singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and died in a plane crash near Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.... read more

  27. Will Downing

    Wilfred "Will" Downing (born September 28, 1963) is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for his smooth baritone voice and has released numerous albums in the R&B and jazz genres. Downing is married to singer Audrey Wheeler, a former member of the R&B group Unlimited Touch.

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