What’s your favorite type of music? Is it rap? Maybe jazz? Or maybe the best genre of all time, R&B. I have loved R&B since I was in my mama’s belly. So I know my stuff. In the article, you’ll be reading about 10 amazing R&B artists that don’t only sing for your ears, but your heart and soul. If you don’t agree with my lavish list, then that’s fine but give it a chance. Stick with me I promise it gets better and better.

Michael Jackson

Starting off with a bang we have the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson mainly known from his most famous songs Thriller or Billie Jean was a musical legend. And who would I be if I didn’t put the King of Pop on this list. My favorite songs by him are Butterflies and Heaven Can Wait. This legend was born August 29th 1958 and passed June 25, 2009. Not only was he an amazing singer, he was also an amazing performer and singer. Along with these skills he was also an actor in his spare time. Though he started out in a singing group called the Jackson 5 Michael soon branched out at the age of 18. Some of his accomplishments consist of being one of the best selling music artists of all time, his album Thriller being the best-selling album ever, 13 Grammy Awards, was put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice as a solo artist and a part of the Jackson 5, and overall broke numerous records all throughout his career with his albums, singles, and tours.

Lauryn Hill 

Secondly we have the Queen of Hip Hop herself. Lauryn Hill’s music hit if not your soul at least your heart. Though she lacks recognition in this generation, Lauryn Hill is an amazing song writer, singer, rapper, and record producer. She also dabbled in acting. Her most popular acting performance was Sister Act. She’s mainly recognized for her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which was released in 1998. Her most popular songs are Killing Me Softly With His Song and Doo Wop. My favorite songs by Ms. Hill are Tell Him and Nothing Even Matters. Lauryn Hill was born May 26, 1975. Some of her accomplishments consist of winning multiple Grammy Awards, most memorable moments was when she won 5 in one night for her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which was the first hip-hop album to win Album of the Year.

Whitney Houston

Next up we have The Voice. The woman who was able to hit notes we could never dream of hitting. Whitney Houston’s music would have your ears swooning. You probably know her for her songs I Will Always Love You which spent a record breaking 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and Saving All My Love for You. My favorite songs of hers are I Have Nothing and It’s Not Right But It’s Okay. Whitney Houston was born August 9, 1963. She sadly passed away on February 11, 2012. Whitney Houston was an amazing singer, actress, song writer, producer, and even model. She was also very busy in charity as she founded the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children. She also supported various causes like HIV/AIDS relief, support for military families, and post-9/11 recovery efforts. Whitney Houston’s accomplishments consists of being one of the world’s best selling music artists, holding the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, along with earning numerous awards such as 29 grammy’s and being entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Luther Vandross

Following that previous legend, we have The Velvet Voice or Luther Vandross who you probably know for his hit Dance with My Father which was released in 2003. My favorite is Dance with My Father. This significant legend’s music is an old soul hitter. Luther Vandross was born April 20, 1951 and passed July 1, 2005. He’s a memorable singer, songwriter, and producer. He began his career singing back up for artists such as David Bowie or Roberta Flack before soon releasing his own solo appearance named Never Too Much in 1981. Though he is an older artist, he is still loved by plenty. In his time, he sold over 40 million records worldwide, achieving 11 consecutive RIAA-certified platinum albums, and won 8 grammy’s. 

Chris Brown

Continuing on with this list, we have one of the Kings of R&B. Chris Brown is multi talented as well. He can dance, sing, and write his own songs. He also dabbles in basketball. That’s a little fun fact for you. Discovered at 13, he released his debut album in 2005 at age 16. Chris Brown was born May 5, 1989. This heart throb is mostly known for his songs Run It!, Yo (Excuse Me Miss), Kiss Kiss, and Look at Me Now. My favorites are Residuals and Yo (Excuse Me Miss). Though he did start performing young, he’s still loved currently and still considered in his prime. He’s been rewarded with a Grammy win for Best R&B Album for F.A.M.E., multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits like Run It! and Kiss Kiss, and he was named the 3rd best R&B and hip hop artist of the 2010s by Billboard. He has also sold over 140 million records worldwide. Though he has had a few run ins, I like to separate the music from the artist.

Usher

Next up we have another one of the Kings of R&B. Usher, the successful performer he is, can sing, dance, and write his own songs. Usher got his start singing in the church choirs. He was then soon discovered after moving to Atlanta, Georgia. A LaFace Records A&R representative saw him at an audition at the age of 14 and signed him. Usher was born October 14, 1978. Some of his memorable songs consist of Yeah!, Burn, Confessions Part II, and U Got It Bad, which all came from one of his most successful albums, Confessions. My favorite listens are Climax and There Goes My Baby. Some of his accomplishments are being one of the best selling artists of all time with over 100 million records sold, winning 8 Grammy’s, and having nine Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Usher might be an older artist and might even be loved by your mama but his music still hits in general.

Ne-Yo

Next up we have the most unrecognized artists by this generation but he has the voice of an angel. Ne-Yo is mostly known for his songs So Sick, Miss Independent, and Because of You. My personal favorites are Mad and So Sick. You might even have heard his song at the end of the beloved Princess and The Frog movie. Ne-Yo was born October 18, 1979. His skills consist of singing, songwriting, and producing. He also dabbled in a little acting. You’ve probably seen Stomp The Yard, Good Deeds, and so much more. He started off as a teenager in the Las Vegas R&B group Envy. Ne-Yo has plenty of albums that go platinum, he’s written songs for big artists such as Beyoncé or Rihanna. Though he’s not very known by younger people like Chris Brown, he is still an amazing artist and can sing beautifully.

Beyoncé

Next up we have the Queen Bee herself. The woman that hits notes like no other. Beyoncé was born September 4, 1981. You most likely know her the most out of this whole list but her most known songs are Crazy in Love, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), and Irreplaceable. My personal favorites are Speechless and Dance For You. Beyoncé started off being the lead singer in a group called Destiny’s Child. She is a singer, songwriter, and wonderful performer. If you’ve ever wondered how someone could dance and sing at the same time ask her. She is amazing. Beyoncé is a global music icon, she has numerous awards, different business ventures, and has a significant cultural impact. She is loved by plenty and even has her own club of bees in her bzzzing beehive.

R-Kelly

Second from last, we have the last king of R&B. Robert Kelly. Though his track record isn’t all that pretty, his voice is marvelous and his music is also a soul soother. He was born January 8, 1967. His best known songs are Ignition (Remix) and I Believe I Can Fly. My favorites are It Seems Like You’re Ready and Ignition (Remix). R-Kelly started off at the age of 8 singing at church. As a teen he began to perform as a street busker. He formed the group MGM (Musically Gifted Men), which won a $100,000 grand prize on the TV talent show Big Break in 1991. His first debut album, Born into the 90’s went platinum. R-Kelly can sing, play the piano, and write platinum level music for himself and other artists. Some of his accomplishments consist of being the best selling R&B male artist of the 1990’s, selling over 75 million records worldwide, he won numerous awards like Grammys and Bet Awards. Though he has done some terrible things, I have to give credit where credit is due.

Brian Mcknight

Last but not least we have Mr. Romantic himself. Mr. Brian Mcknight was born June 5, 1969. He’s mostly known for his songs Back At One and The Only One For Me. My personal favorites are Back At One and Love Of My Life. His skills include his high falsetto and vocal range. He is also a songwriter and producer. He also began singing in the church choir. After moving to Orlando, he became a multi-instrumentalist and wrote his own music. This allowed him to get his start in music. He pursued music after seeing his brother’s accomplishment with his singing group. He sent out demo tapes and soon released his first solo album in 1992. Some of his accomplishments however consist of achieving 16 Grammy nominations without a win, selling over 30 million records, and multiple awards such as an American Music Award and Soul Train Award.

I hope you enjoyed my list and maybe even gave these artists a listen. Though maybe this isn’t even your type of genre. If it isn’t, still have an open mind. We as humans tend to shun things we don’t know. But instead why not try and have a clear 100% answer. Have a blessed day.