The Best R&B Artists of All Time & Upcoming Artists

1. Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye is considered one of the greatest R&B artists of all time. He was a Motown legend, and his soulful voice and lyrics set him apart from other artists of his time. Gaye was also a talented musician, and he played several instruments on his records. He was a pioneer in the Motown sound, and his influence can still be heard in today's R&B music. Gaye's most famous albums include What's Going On and Let's Get It On. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

2. Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is another Motown legend, and he is often considered one of the greatest musicians of all time. Wonder was born blind, but that didn't stop him from becoming a virtuoso on several instruments. He also wrote and produced most of his own records. Wonder's hits include "Superstition", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", and "I Wish". He has won 25 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

3. Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul, and she is one of the most influential R&B artists of all time. Franklin began her career as a gospel singer, but she soon made the transition to secular music. Her hits include "Respect", "Natural Woman", and "I Say a Little Prayer". Franklin has won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

4. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was one of the most successful pop artists of all time, but she began her career as an R&B singer. Houston's debut album Whitney Houston was a massive success, and it launched her into superstardom. Her hits include "Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know", and "I Will Always Love You". Houston won 22 Grammy Awards and sold over 200 million records during her career. She died tragically in 2012 at the age of 48.

5. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson needs no introduction. He is the King of Pop, and he is one of the most successful musicians of all time. Jackson began his career as a child star with the Jackson 5, but he soon embarked on a solo career that would make him a global superstar. Jackson's hits include "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Thriller". He won numerous awards during his career, including 13 Grammy Awards and 26 American Music Awards. Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50.

6. Prince

Prince was one of the most popular musicians of the 1980s, and he is considered one of the most influential artists of all time. He was a multi-talented musician, and he played several instruments on his records. He also wrote and produced most of his own music. Prince's hits include "Purple Rain", "When Doves Cry", and "Kiss". He won seven Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince died in 2016 at the age of 57.

7. Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie is a Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He began his career as a member of the pop group the Commodores, but he soon embarked on a solo career that would make him a global superstar. Richie's hits include "Hello", "All Night Long", and "We Are the World". He has sold over 100 million records during his career and has won several awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Richie was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

8. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is a five-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and she has sold over 200 million records during her career. Carey's hits include "Vision of Love", "One Sweet Day", and "All I Want for Christmas Is You". She is also known for her extensive range, which spans five octaves. Carey was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

9. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career as a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, but she soon established herself as a solo artist. Beyoncé's hits include "Crazy in Love", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", and "Formation". She has sold over 100 million records during her career and has won 22 Grammy Awards. Beyoncé was also named the Billboard Woman of the Year in 2015.

10. Usher

Usher is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actor. He began his career as a teenager, and he has gone on to sell over 65 million records worldwide. Usher's hits include "Yeah!", "OMG", and "Burn". He has won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards and 18 Billboard Music Awards. Usher was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

11. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist. She made her debut with the album Songs in A Minor, which sold over 12 million copies worldwide. Keys' hits include "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You", and "No One". She has won 15 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. Keys was also named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017.

12. John Legend

John Legend is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist. He made his debut with the album Get Lifted, which won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Legend's hits include "All of Me", "Ordinary People", and "Glory". He has won 10 Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2019. Legend was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017.

13. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is a Grammy-winning rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group Black Hippy, but he soon established himself as a solo artist. Lamar's hits include "Humble", "DNA", and "All the Stars". He has won 12 Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2016. Lamar was also the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018.

14. Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer. He made his debut with the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Mars' hits include "Just the Way You Are", "Locked Out of Heaven", and "Uptown Funk". He has won 11 Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. Mars was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017.

15. Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer. He made his debut with the mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, which was critically acclaimed. Ocean's hits include "Thinking Bout You", "Novacane", and "Swim Good". He has won four Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017. Ocean was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.

16. Rihanna

Rihanna is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. She made her debut with the album Music of the Sun, which has sold over two million copies worldwide. Rihanna's hits include "Umbrella", "Diamonds", and "Work". She has won eight Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2012. Rihanna was also the recipient of the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 2016.

17. Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album In the Lonely Hour, which has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Smith's hits include "Stay with Me", "I'm Not the Only One", and "Too Good at Goodbyes". He has won four Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. Smith was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.

18. The Weeknd

The Weeknd is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer. He made his debut with the mixtape House of Balloons, which was critically acclaimed. The Weeknd's hits include "Can't Feel My Face", "Earned It", and "The Hills". He has won three Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2016. The Weeknd was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.

19. Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino is the stage name of Donald Glover, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actor. Glover began his career as a writer for the TV show 30 Rock, but he soon established himself as a successful musician. Gambino's hits include "Redbone", "This Is America", and "Sober". He has won five Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017. Gambino was also the recipient of the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series in 2018.

20. Khalid

Khalid is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album American Teen, which has sold over four million copies worldwide. Khalid's hits include "Location", "Young Dumb & Broke", and "Talk". He has won five Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2019. Khalid was also the recipient of the American Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2017.

21. Best New R&B Artists

1. H.E.R.

H.E.R. is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. She made her debut with the EP H.E.R., which has sold over two million copies worldwide. H.E.R.'s hits include "Best Part", "Focus", and "Hard Place". She has won five Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2019. H.E.R. was also the recipient of the American Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2017.

2. SZA

SZA is a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter. She made her debut with the album Ctrl, which has sold over one million copies worldwide. SZA's hits include "The Weekend", "Love Galore", and "Broken Clocks". She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. SZA was also the recipient of the BET Award for Best New Artist in 2018.

3. Khalid

Khalid is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album American Teen, which has sold over four million copies worldwide. Khalid's hits include "Location", "Young Dumb & Broke", and "Talk". He has won five Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2019. Khalid was also the recipient of the American Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2017.

4. 6LACK

6LACK is a singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album FREE 6LACK, which has sold over one million copies worldwide. 6LACK's hits include "PRBLMS", "Ex Calling", and "That Far". He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. 6LACK was also the recipient of the BET Award for Best New Artist in 2018.

5. Daniel Caesar

Daniel Caesar is a singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album Freudian, which has sold over one million copies worldwide. Caesar's hits include "Get You", "Best Part", and "We Find Love". He has won two Grammy Awards and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. Caesar was also the recipient of the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2018.