• 15 Underrated Black Music Artists Who Should Have Bigger Careers

    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.

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    Tone Stith

    HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 10: Tone Stith attends Variety Power of Young Hollywood at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 10, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

    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

    NEW ORLEANS – FEBRUARY 15: Platinum recording artist Musiq Soulchild performing at ESPN The Magazine’s Chicken N’ Waffles III “N’Awlins” style at Riche Restaurant and Bar 528 in Harrah’s Hotel on February 15, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images)

    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

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 17: Keyshia Cole attends the 2019 Soul Train Awards at the Orleans Arena on November 17, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

    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

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 03: In this image released on July 3, Carl Thomas attends the Evening Concert Series during the 2021 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

    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.

    AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 10: H.E.R. attends “The Makings Of Curtis Mayfield” world premiere during the 2025 SXSW Conference And Festival at The Paramount Theatre on March 10, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

    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

    NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 13: Singer Jaheim performs onstage at the 2017 SESAC Pop Awards on April 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for SESAC)

    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

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Teedra Moses performs onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

    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

    (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

    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

    (Photo by Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Balmain)

    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

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 25: SiR performs onstage during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

    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

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Masego performs at the BET Music Showcase at City Market Social House on January 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for BET)

    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

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 19: Sevyn Streeter performs onstage at the 2023 Black Music Honors at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on May 19, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

    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

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 05: Alex Isley performs onstage in the VVIP Superlounge Experience during Day 2 of the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

    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

    WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 22: India. Arie performs onstage during the BMG Pre-Grammy Party 2020 at Troubadour on January 22, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BMG)

    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

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Normani performs onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

    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.

    Straight From The Root

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