When it comes to music, every generation thinks theirs is the best to ever do it. These days, Keith Sweat is the latest to claim the late 1980s to the 1990s as the last decade to produce great R&B music. In a recent interview with “The Breakfast Club,” the “I Want Her” singer argued that good R&B music went out with bucket hats and Starter jackets, adding that new artists have killed the genre with cursing.
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“Y’all killed R&B because y’all wanna curse in the songs. Y’all wanna act like R&B is a rap record,” he said. “R&B is foreplay…If you’re cursing and you’re trying to make up with your girl..How you gonna make up?”
And while we’ll agree with Keith that some of the biggest R&B bangers were released before some of the oldest Gen Yers went to Kindergarten, the genre is far from dead. We’re looking at some R&B songs released in the past decade that we have on constant rotation.
“Gonna Love Me” by Teyana Taylor
The world may be focused on her acting these days, but we can’t forget what an amazing singer Teyana Taylor is. She shows off her artistic talent on the 2018 single “Gonna Love Me”
“Sweet November” by SZA
SZA has an amazing catalog of hit singles, but “Sweet November” is one of our favorites. The soulful track has an old school vibe that is perfect for a lazy Saturday morning playlist.
“Breaking Point” by Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas is one of our favorite R&B male singers to emerge in the last decade. His 2023 single “Breaking Point” is an emotional song about a relationship that is coming to an end.
“Way past the breaking point;
‘Cause I can’t turn down the noise.
You are my only choice;
And we’re both just filling voids.”
“If you an RnB purist this is perfection,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“Roll Some Mo” by Lucky Daye
Be warned, listening to “Roll Some Mo” by Lucky Daye just might have you daydreaming about the one that got away.
“This song feels like an endless summer. Chilling somewhere in nature in a nice hidden spot, rolling up while you hear birds chirping. And never having to leave,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“Cranes in the Sky” by Solange Knowles
What do you get when you put Raphael Saadiq and Solange Knowles together? A banger, of course. The pair co-wrote the 2016 hit “Cranes in the Sky,” a soulful ballad in which Knowles sings about trying unsuccessfully to get over a lost love.
“Give You the World” by Steve Lacy
We know this is supposed to be about new artists, but it’s hard to listen to Steve Lacy’s “Give You The World” and not think about the late, great Prince.
“This song has no right being this beautiful,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“Best Part” by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
From the guitar to the beautiful harmony of H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar’s voices, it’s hard to pin down the best part of their 2017 single “Best Part.”
“We Might Even Be Falling in Love” by Victoria Monet
What’s a list of best modern R&B songs that doesn’t include Victoria Monet and her 2020 hit, “We Might Even Be Falling in Love?” Fans’ biggest complaint is that that song isn’t longer. Even the extended version is just over two minutes long.
“I HATEEEE that this is so short cause omggggggg this is so gooddddd,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“John Redcorn” by SiR
A list of great new R&B artists has to include SiR and one of our favorite tracks, “John Redcorn.”
“Why (Spare Me Tears)” by Elmiene
If you like neo-soul, you’ll love British singer-songwriter Elmiene. His single “Why (Spare Me Tears)” is a breakup song that’s guaranteed to leave you in your feelings.
“One of the best songs I’ve heard in a long time,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“Pick Up Your Feelings” by Jazmine Sullivan
While we can’t promise no cursing in Jazmine Sullivan’s track “Pick Up Your Feelings,” we can promise that you’ll love the confident energy she sings with telling her man to come and
“She’s a freaking vocal beast! The world better bow before the queen,” wrote someone on YouTube.
“Hold On” by The Internet
“Hold On” is hands-down one of the sexiest R&B songs we’ve heard in a while. The airy lyrics and
“This song makes my insides feel like a lava lamp,” wrote someone on You Tube.
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