15 Underrated Black Music Artists Who Should Have Bigger Careers

Ever find yourself scrolling through your playlist and wonder why certain artists aren’t popping the way that they should? With music hits like “Wild Side by Normani, “The Truth” by India. Arie and “The Recipe” by SiR, it is really a no-brainer why we should be seeing more from these artists. Let’s take a look at our favorite artist who should be at the top of the charts.

Tone Stith

Tone Stith, a smooth R&B crooner, built major buzz on streaming platforms following the release of his 2021 album “Still FWM.” Since then, he’s kept a relatively low profile, resurfacing only recently with his latest single, “Shut Up.” It’s hard to say exactly why he hasn’t pushed further ahead, but we will remain hopeful.

Musiq Soulchild

Since the early 2000s, singles like “Just Friends (Sunny),” “Love,” and “Halfcrazy” have been fan favorites from Musiq Soulchild. Despite years in the music industry, the soulful neo-soul singer has yet to fully achieve icon status.

Keyshia Cole

The talented Oakland singer made waves in R&B with her debut single, “I Changed My Mind,” featuring Kanye West. After reaching her peak with her most successful album, “A Different Me,” Cole continues to tour but hasn’t released a new album in quite some time. We remain hopeful for the upcoming year.

Carl Thomas

Former Bad Boy artist Carl Thomas won our hearts in the early 2000s with his album “Emotional.” He had us all in our feelings when he dropped his last album in 2011 and disappeared for over a decade. During this male R&B drought, his voice is definitely needed.

H.E.R.

If you were a fan of Soundcloud, you may recall when H.E.R. emerged. The beautiful songstress emerged like a quiet storm, her signature face concealed, armed with musical bangers. Since the release of her 2021 “Back Of My Mind” album, there has been almost radio silence from the artist outside of her appearance in “The Color Purple” remake. Our girl should be closing out arenas by now.

Jaheim

Jaheim was a staple on every “Quiet Storm” radio playlist in the early 2000s. His smooth, charismatic voice captivated fans, especially with his hit record “Finding My Way.” Ultimately, his career stalled as the industry shifted away from soul-driven R&B, leading to inconsistent label support — and his frequent run-ins with the law didn’t help either.

Teedra Moses

The New Orleans singer’s musical impact has continued to resonate with fans since the release of her debut album, “Complex Simplicity.” Her most beloved track, “Be Your Girl,” remains a fan favorite. So why hasn’t she reached her full star potential? A lack of commercial success, combined with her label’s bankruptcy, left her without the financial support needed to properly market her music.

Cleo Sol

Cleo Sol has earned critical acclaim for her unique blend of jazz, soul, and R&B, quickly winning over a devoted fan base. However, her low-profile approach and limited marketing support have kept her from reaching the wider audience she deserves.

Snoh Aalegra

We love Snoh Aalegra because her music feels timeless. Her soulful, cinematic sound resonates with listeners on a deeper level. Her style leans more towards modern R&B, which puts her in competition with singers such as SZA, Summer Walker, and H.E.R., which hasn’t allowed her to achieve her mainstream “breakout” musical moment.

SiR

We do not give SiR the flowers that he deserves. The California native earned acclaim for his smooth, soulful R&B sound, which has built him a loyal fan base. However, his low-profile approach and focus on niche marketing have limited his mainstream exposure.

Masego

Masego, known for his unique blend of jazz, R&B, and Afrobeats, has carved out a sound all his own. His dedication to artistry and live instrumentation has earned him a loyal fan base. However, he continues to fly under the radar, which limits his mainstream exposure.

Sevyn Streeter

The incredibly talented Sevyn Streeter is a true vocal powerhouse we haven’t fully gotten to appreciate. Since her 2012 debut, she’s delivered hits like “I Like It” and “It Won’t Stop,” but inconsistent label support has kept the “Shattered” songstress from receiving the mainstream recognition she deserves.

Alex Isley

Alex Isley has captivated listeners with her beautiful, airy vocals that grab attention every time. Drawing from her musical lineage in the Isley family, her deep appreciation for soulful R&B has helped her build a devoted fan base. However, her niche sound and status as an independent artist have made it challenging for her to achieve broader mainstream success.

India.Arie

Alongside fellow neo-soul artists Musiq Soulchild and Jill Scott, India.Arie dominated the genre in the early 2000s. While she made a lasting impact with her signature albums “Acoustic Soul” and “Voyage to India,” she never reached icon status, largely due to her niche audience.

Normani

Normani’s voice and talent are truly ahead of our time. Hits like “Motivation” and “Wild Side” positioned her to compete against other R&B heavy hitters. Unfortunately, album delays, personal challenges, and limited industry support prevented her career from ever receiving a fair chance for early success.