If thereโs one genre that has experienced the most sweeping changes in the 2010s, itโs R&B.
From the survival of the EDM phenomenon to the decline in music sales to more artists taking the independent route, this decade seemed to prevent more challenges for established and emerging artists.
Letโs not forget about the ongoing debates about โthe state of R&Bโ and critics who have declared R&B a โdead genreโ on more than one occasion.
Still, with all the harsh talk about R&B, what remained consistent throughout this decade was the generous amount of extraordinary music from the artists we always adored to the ones we grew to love.
After many internal debates and sleepless nights, Rated R&Bโs editorial team has compiled an unranked list of the 50 Best R&B Albums from the 2010s. The albums are listed in alphabetical order.
4 โ Beyoncรฉ (2011)
Before the digital drop, before she got in formation, and before she renamed Coachella โBeychella,โ Beyoncรฉ was laying the foundations of legendary status with 4. Riding high on the success of I Amโฆ Sasha Fierce, in the previous decade, Beyoncรฉ took a much-needed hiatus from music to rediscover the world and herself. What came out of that year-long break, however, was the need to produce a timeless R&B record. โI really focused on songs being classics, songs that would last, songs that I could sing when Iโm 40 and when Iโm 60,โ Beyoncรฉ said in 2011.
With 4, Beyoncรฉ grabbed pieces from all eras of music, from โ80s R&B and โ90s R&B on tracks like โPartyโ and โI Careโ to โ70s funk and Afrobeat on songs like โEnd of Timeโ and โRun The World (Girls)โ, to create a sound that was bolder than anything she had ever done. Released in 2011 with moderate initial success โ reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy award for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 55th annual ceremony for โLove on Topโโ 4 set the precedent for what was to come in the 2010s, while slowly being embraced as Beyoncรฉโs bravest, most soulful record to date. โ ANDERS HARE (A.H.)
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A Seat at the Table โ Solange (2016)

To encapsulate a significant portion of what it means to be Black in America is a difficult task. Not many have been called to it, yet Solange willingly hit the nail with much accuracy on A Seat at the Table. Inviting the general public to her spread, she expressed the pain, anguish, resilience and pride one can feel on a daily basis. Solange covers as many necessary bases as possible, including wanting a piece of something to call your own in a covetous space (โF.U.B.U.โ) to establishing boundaries while demanding respect (โDonโt Touch My Hairโ). The glimmer of hope in the beautifully melancholy number arrives towards the end with โJunie,โ inspired by Ohio Players member Junie Morrison. In a little under an hour, the multidisciplinary artist gives way to an intricate experience in a manner that is complex and poetic. โ DANIELLE BRISSETT (D.B.)
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Another Round โ Jaheim (2010)
As the title suggests, Jaheim returned for Another Round of passion-fueled belts and beloved street poetry on his fifth album. Serving as the solid follow-up to The Makings of a Man, the 2011 Best R&B Album contender is essentially an album that conveys thoughtful lyrics and tender ballads and midtempos with familiar and fresh-sounding instrumentals. For the pre-album single โFinding Your Way Back,โ Jaheim works hard to retrace his last steps to rekindle a favorable romance. He expresses excitement to be a first-time dad on โII Pink Lines.โ On the piano-laced โBed is Listening,โ Jaheim asks his talkative lover to keep their relationship troubles and joys only between them. A deserving listen to Another Round is highly recommended. โ ANTWANE FOLK (A.F.)
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Anti โ Rihanna (2016)
Barbados-born singer Rihanna has long been described as โantiโโ going against the grain in fashion, music and lifestyle choices, and doing everything an icon shouldnโt. While her first seven albums detail her narrative of a โgood girl gone bad,โ none of them really tell Rihannaโs true story. When in the early stages of her eighth studio album, Rihanna ensured she played a major role in its inception, serving as executive producer. She sought to create a timeless album with replay value she could perform years after its release.
The final product was Anti, an album nearly four years in the making that truthfully recounted Rihanna as a human being better than any album she previously released. Sonically, the album is a soulful adventure of self-exploration and a footprint of the culmination of every sound in Rihannaโs catalog. Anti earned Rihanna five nominations at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, however, did not win a single one. This defeat is symbolized as a body of work that is ahead of its time. Still, Anti remains one of the most progressive, personal, and touching albums of the 2010s. โ A.H.
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Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? โ K. Michelle (2014)
K. Michelle‘s 2013 debut, Rebellious Soul, officially introduced her as one of the most unfiltered R&B storytellers, but her follow-up LP is the moment her undeniable talent couldnโt go unnoticed โ even by her Love and Hip-Hop naysayers. That said, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart has it all for a second album: a strengthened concept, sharper lyrics, and improved quality in production. Throughout AWBAH, Kโs expressive vocals are equally as emotional as the love drama she belts.
At the center of many of the complicated lyrics is acclaimed English actor Idris Elba, whom she had an alleged fling with sometime before (or during) this album recording. K isnโt modest about the effect heโs had on her heart, at the least, particularly on songs like โHow Do You Know?โ and โMaybe I Should Call.โ But, regardless of the heartache he caused K. Michelle, she mustered up enough strength to put out a body of work that doesnโt sound like anyone but herself. โ A.F.
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Art Official Age โ Prince (2014)
Princeโs Art Official Age is a concept album that takes listeners on a futuristic journey. Prince is placed in a suspended animation and awakens 45 years in the future to a whole new world. British singer Lianne La Havas makes a few appearances on the album as she plays the role of a therapist who helps guide him back into consciousness and gives him an overview of what to expect. On Art Official Age, Prince showcases the highly influential funk-pop-rock-soul sound he innovated in the โ80s. โCloudsโ serves up the kind of bass-heavy, guitar-accented groove diehard Prince fans know and love. A celebration of affection and intimacy, this standout brilliantly decries the impersonal aspects of modern, technology-reliant communication and a lack of sincerity in human interaction in a world of โrealityโ-show posing.
โBreakfast Can Waitโ is an ode to morning sex. Prince is in stellar form on โBreakdown,โ a heartfelt lament of a relationship gone wrong. He puts his falsetto to great use over a stirring track that transitions multiple times between sparse, vocal-and-keyboard-only verses and a chorus, with those elements effectively joined by drums and a gripping bass line. He closes the album with โAffirmation III,โ where Havas helps spread encouragement with some words of wisdom. โRemember, there is really only one destination, and that place is you. All of it, everything, is you,โ she says. โ KEITHAN SAMUELS (K.S.)
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Back to Love โ Anthony Hamilton (2011)
Itโs hard to resist the raspy-voice charm of Anthony Hamilton. On Back to Love, the veteran continues to showcase his strong admiration for old-school soul music found on most of his previous albums. This time, rather than wallow in โthe sad catโ persona, Hamilton puts his emotional outbursts in check and delivers the shimmering danceable number โSucka For Youโ and the reassuring duet โNever Let Goโ featuring Keri Hilson. Despite the bright lights and big city production influences, Hamilton isnโt out of touch with his Southern roots. On โPray For Me,โ the hit single, he gets on bended knees to plead with the Most High for his ex-lover to return to him. And like a home-cooked meal, richly flavored tracks โBest of Meโ and โIโm Readyโ are like food to the soul. โ A.F.
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Back to Me โ Fantasia (2010)
Fantasiaโs third studio album, Back to Me, was released four years after her self-titled sophomore LP. Taking a more daring direction with the previous project, Fantasia returned to her core elements with an elevated sound. The American Idol winnerโs growth was evident on this album, from the lyrical material to the vocal performance. She collaborates with accomplished songwriter/producer duo Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony for the first time on the initial single โBittersweetโ and the opening track, โIโm Doinโ Me.โ
Coming out swinging, track one sets the tone for whatโs to come throughout the rest of the album. While the striking piano is a key piece, itโs Fantasiaโs ad-libs and backgrounds that truly elevate and amplify the songโs magic. A few retro-leaning numbers (โTrust Himโ, โCollard Greens & Cornbreadโ) make an appearance on the tracklist but Fantasia’s soulful grit produces a piercing comfort, connecting a seasoned energy to a contemporary feel. โ D.B.
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BEYONCร โ Beyoncรฉ (2013)
The world stopped momentarily when Beyoncรฉ released her fifth studio album without any warning. Two years after 4, her eponymous album was in a league of its own from the rollout to its musical landscape. Fans got an authentic peek into Beyoncรฉโs personal life through the music for the first time, bringing us into her high-profile marriage, motherhood, and her views on success. Beyoncรฉ experimented with a variety of different musical elements, including electronic and pop.
It leaned towards an alternative R&B feel, straying from the traditional R&B sound that was prevalent in her previous body of work. Even though eccentricity flowed throughout the album, โRocketโ was R&B at its core. Honoring โUntitled (How Does It Feel)” by DโAngelo, the soulfully funky slow jam oozes seduction as Beyoncรฉ slides across the yearning electric guitar and thumping bass. The self-titled project contained an assortment of flavors that were unexpectedly satisfying in a way only Beyoncรฉ can serve. โ D.B.
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Black Messiah โ D’Angelo and The Vanguard (2014)
DโAngelo is a legend among men. As one of the pioneers of neo-soul, his weighted contribution to the movement would be inadequate without him. He made his long-awaited return to music 14 years after his sophomore album Voodoo with the politically-charged Black Messiah. It was slated for a 2015 release but he was inspired to push the date up due to the verdicts of the Eric Garner and Ferguson cases. Capturing the Black American experience during a tense time, DโAngelo and The Vanguard responded with an eccentric yet spiritual album.
Musically, Messiah is a rebellion from structural norms, with nearly inaudible lyrics that are intended to be felt and not necessarily understood word for word. Intertwining funk, soul, gospel and blues, thereโs a wide range from societal issues (โ1000 Deaths,โ โThe Charadeโ), to romance (โReally Love,โ โAnother Lifeโ) and all the imaginable feelings in between. The intricately beautiful body of work rightfully earned the award for Best R&B Album at the 58th Grammy Awards. โ D.B.
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blackSUMMERS’night โ Maxwell (2016)
โIt’s an album about trying to find love,โ Maxwell told Mic on the overall theme of blackSUMMERSโnight. โIt’s sonically grittier than usual and I’d say that this album is much more poetic.โ Complied with well-written songs that werenโt crafted from any rushed recording sessions, this second album of a romantic trilogy covers a lot of ground on discovering true romance like on the splashing groove โLake By the Oceanโ and captive solo โHostage.โ In a vulnerable fashion, Maxwell opens his heart and mind to a hopeful lover on the mood-setting โListen Hear.โ His distinctive voice extracts intense pain on โLost,โ the darkest and finest moment. Now, while blackSUMMERSโnight doesnโt entirely follow the bluesy formula of BLACKsummersโnight, his commercial breakthrough, itโs most definitely an R&B collector’s item. โ A.F.
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Calling All Lovers โ Tamar Braxton (2015)

Thereโs something to be said for not trying to reinvent the wheel. Despite a strong sophomore album and a hit single (โLove and Warโ), Tamar Braxton didnโt go after the charts for her third studio LP. Instead, the R&B star upped the ante on Calling All Lovers by delivering fervent vocals to yearn downhearted and joyous love tunes like the vintage-soul ditty โSimple Thingsโ and summery throwback โMust Be Good to You.โ Braxton is at her best when she sharply focuses on her vocal powers, as she does on the sorrowful โBroken Recordโ and the eminently romantic โRaise the Bar.โ So while Calling All Lovers is written off by many as a disappointing follow-up because it didnโt receive a proper commercial rollout as its parent album, it is an incomparable gem thatโs proved a hit after one fair spin. โ A.F.
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Caution โ Mariah Carey (2018)
A music legend cannot release an album without high expectations from fans and critics. Throughout her career, Mariah Carey has always set and exceeded the bar of musical excellence with her impeccable vocal range and her mesmerizing lyrics. Caution, Careyโs 15th studio album, proved why she has been able to sell over 200 million records throughout her career. Whether sheโs singing tender ballads like โWith Youโ and โPortraitโ or showing off her playful side on โA No Noโ and โGTFO,โ Caution pleasantly reminds the world that there are levels to Careyโs talent. โ K.S.
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Ctrl โ SZA (2017)
The first lady of Top Dawg Entertainment crafted a playbook on self-awareness, boldness and reflection on Ctrl. SZA, along with her mom and granny, narrates the ebbs of flows of self-discovery in numerous aspects. Along the interestingly insightful journey, the alt & B singer stops at sensuality (โDoves In The Windโ), insecurity (โDrew Barrymoreโ) and acceptance (โNormal Girlโ) with an ever-changing destination in sight. She takes flight on โPretty Little Birdsโ featuring label-mate Isaiah Rashad. The lucid lyrics about soaring high with her lover are stretched across palpitating production with fluttering jazz horns and synths. SZA quaintly captures the nuances of growth in a way that was widely and immensely felt upon her release. Her full-length debut is a comforting coming-of-age album for young women in their 20-somethings, stepping into their own. โ D.B.
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Doubleback: Evolution of R&B โ Joe (2013)
It doesnโt get more soulful than Joe. The Grammy-nominated veteran, who debuted in 1993 with the album Everything, effortlessly proves that heโs untouchable in the romance department. By merging elements of well-rendered vocals, convincingly tender lyrics, and classic and modern R&B feels, Doubleback: Evolution of R&B is a stroke of pure genius. Never sounding too dated, Joe reaches back to give his male listeners lessons on the beauty of settling down, like on โIโd Rather Have a Love,โ the yearning lead single. He breaks down the pleasurable difference between โLove & Sexโ with Fantasia and indulges in the sweet company of โMary Jane.โ Doubleback is another reminder to bachelors that thereโs nothing wrong with turning in your player cards, once and for all. โ A.F.
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Ego Death โ The Internet (2015)
The Internetโs third studio album was a wake-up call to anyone who slept on the eclectically soulful band. While their sophomore effort floated in the lo-fi realm, Ego Death took the tempo up a notch. Building on their neo-soul adjacent sound, they pulled from alternative, jazz, and lounge music elements to create a body of work that is expansive yet focused. A common thread for Ego Death is the relaxing, easygoing tone, appropriately displayed in โFor The Worldโ featuring James Fauntleroy โ a track that shares a similar groove to โButterfliesโ by Michael Jackson. The Internetโs melodic palate transformed from a mystic vibe to a soul-knocking sound on their third album, proof theyโve grown from being the adolescent band next door to a musically inclined group whoโs pushing their sound further. โ D.B.
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ELDORADO โ Ro James (2016)
Ro James summons an authentic essence of soul. With a husky and smoldering timbre, his ability to bridge the musicality of his forefathers and his personal influences enhances the listening experience. James pulls from rock, soul, and gospel to create a rich and fortifying sound. His trilogy EP Coke, Jack, and Cadillacs was released in 2013, simmering a carefully crafted energy that steadily lured fans in.
Three years later, his debut album, ELDORADO, solidified a lane solely reserved for James to cruise along. His Willie Hutch-sampled track โPermissionโ took over urban adult contemporary radio and promptly aided his growing success. ELDORADO would be incomplete without hazy and seductive tracks like โBurn Slowโ and โGA$โ but โHoly Waterโ contributes a contrasting but necessary element. Swelled with sonorous organs, James belts about becoming better and not losing himself with choir-adjacent backgrounds for full support. For his first major-label release, James leaves an undeniably lasting impression. โ D.B.
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Feel The Real โ Musiq Soulchild (2017)
When it comes to love, Musiq Soulchild has a lot to say. Released as a double album, Feel The Real is a 100-minute expedition through the different stages of a relationship. โI kinda wanted to do the whole Feel the Real thing because this love thing, this romance thing, this relationship thing, this interpersonal intimate thing we deal with itโs all about how you feel,โ he told HipHollywood. โYou canโt think your way through it.โ The title track, which features Marsha Ambrosius, hears Soulchild shooting his shot at a woman he is interested in pursuing.
On the same token, he isnโt looking to settle too quickly. He gets very candid on โBenefits,โ where he only wants to be friends with benefits. He admits his wrongdoings on the Willie Hyn-assisted โMy Badโ and asks his partner to do the same on โHumble Pie.โ โLet Goโ is about knowing when it is time for both partners to move on from a relationship. With everything he experienced in his previous relationship, Soulchild wants to make sure he is ready to make his heart open for the next person. โTest Driveโ is about testing the waters before settling down. โWe could both crash and burn or we could fly high / Couldnโt hurt to take a test drive,โ he sings. Soulchild expresses his gratitude on the albumโs closer โSimple Things.โ Although the album is a lot longer than traditional releases, Soulchild makes the experience enjoyable with his velvety vocals laced over live instrumentation. โ K.S.
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Freudian โ Daniel Caesar (2017)
The early 2010s consisted of R&B artists trying to keep up with what was contemporary, with many gravitating toward pop, alternative and EDM. On the contrary, Ontario-born singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar spent much of the early 2010s being recognized as a budding voice in classic R&B stylings with the release of several scattered EPs such as 2014โs Praise Break and 2015โs Pilgrimโs Paradise. However, Caesarโs debut album, Freudian, became a constant revisit for casual listeners of the genre after its release in 2017.
The obvious nods to gospel music on tracks such as โHold Me Downโ and โWe Find Loveโ add a natural anointing to Caesarโs smooth sound. However, it is songs such as โBlessedโ and the H.E.R.-assisted โBest Partโ that elevate Caesar to timeless status, as both became radio and wedding mainstays, respectively. While everyone else was making moody, aesthetically pleasing sounds, Caesar created a timeless record that offered a little something for everyone.โ A.H.
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Greater Than One โ Dwele (2012)
Dwele is arguably one of the most underrated neo-soul singers. The Detroit nativeโs fifth studio album, Greater Than One, is proof in the pudding. Drawing inspiration from โ80s R&B, Greater Than One highlights various topics surrounding a relationship. From missing out on love (โGoing Leavingโ) to knowing how to keep his woman happy (โWhat Profitโ) to avoiding temptation (โFrankly My Dearโ), the subject matter is relatable for anyone who has ever experienced a relationship. A standout moment on the album is the eargasmic โObey,โ an alluring tune where Dwele takes complete control in the bedroom as he instructs his woman to submit to his orders. Looking back, Dwele stepped outside of his traditional sound for Greater Than One, all while staying true to his artistry. โ K.S.
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Gumbo โ PJ Morton (2017)
There is no place like home. PJ Morton returned to his New Orleans roots for his fourth studio album, Gumbo. With just nine tracks, the introspective LP is seasoned with intense topics that are most personal to him. On โClaustrophobicโ featuring Pell, Morton vents about his frustrations in the music industry, making it clear that he is not interested in chasing trends. He offers hope to the marginalized on โEverythingโs Gonna Be Alright,โ featuring BJ the Chicago Kid and The HamilTones. โReligionโ hears Morton calling out people who use religion to justify their bad behavior, singing, โBut you blame your God when it’s your own fault / Where is the love that your God spoke of?โ He celebrates lifelong love on โFirst Began,โ which was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2018 Grammy Awards. The album also received a nomination for Best R&B Album. โ K.S.
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H.E.R. โ H.E.R. (2017)
Before she was the ominous, multitalented music virtuoso known as H.E.R., California native Gabi Wilson first appeared on a radio talent competition, Next Big Thing, in 2009, ultimately losing. However, it was not until she put on a pair of massive sunglasses to cover her face, changed her name to the acronym Having Everything Revealed, and released an eponymous debut EP that H.E.R. became a slow-burning sensation everyone wanted to know.
A compilation of her first two EPs released in 2016 and 2017, respectively, H.E.R. is the diamond that emerged from the coal that came with the introduction of alternative R&B in the mid-2010s: a purely R&B album that is true to its roots, yet can easily compete with the fiercest competitors. H.E.R. received several nods from critics and contemporaries alike, including a co-sign of the albumโs second single, โFocus,โ from Rihanna.
With just one feature on the entire project, H.E.R. puts her messages of love, regret, pain, and pleasure at the forefront of the album on songs such as โRather Be,โ โ2,โ and โLosing.โ Although not a radio-heavy project, the resonance of H.E.R. made it all the way to the Grammy stage, earning the singer-songwriter Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance for her duet “Best Part” with Daniel Caesar. While she still has yet to put out a proper debut LP, H.E.R. remains a staple of the 2010s as the world waits to see what she will do next. โ A.H.
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Honestly โ Lalah Hathaway (2018)
Lalah Hathawayโs first studio album on her independent imprint followed her pair of Grammys won for her 2015 live album. All-around musician Tiffany Gouchรฉ is involved with each song on Honestly, pushing Hathaway into a more free-spirited and adventurous territory sonically than her previous albums. Fortunately, this bold play works to the polyphonic-voiced singer’s advantage. Everything from Honestly is a mood. โI Canโt Waitโ beams with feel-good vibes to get any party started. The Lecrae-assisted anthem โDonโt Give Upโ is a large dose of reassurance, while โWonโt Let Goโ ducks and dodges an obsessed ex. And while her rich, warm overtones are attached to nostalgic video game noise, it doesnโt seem scattered or muddled. Itโs actually a positive step in the next direction of Hathawayโs elevated artistry. โ A.F.
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In My Mind โ BJ the Chicago Kid (2016)
With the many directions R&B has taken, only a few have been able to elevate the genre while staying true to its core elements. When BJ the Chicago Kid independently released his debut album Pineapple Now-Laters in 2012, he garnered attention with his soulfully robust voice, suggestive of prominent hometown soul singers like Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield. Six months later, he signed a deal with the famed Motown Records, where he released his major-label debut, In My Mind.
By injecting the quintessence of his forefathers into his resonating sound, BJ evidently distinguished himself from his peers. He makes use of his storytelling skills on a tale of infidelity on โWait Til the Morningโ featuring Isa. On the sensual track โThe Resumeโ featuring Big K.R.I.T., BJ channels the computerized ’90s energy by way of Jodeci. He closes the album with โTurninโ Me Up,โ a soothing and irresistible acoustic number with the impromptu spirit of a jam session. BJ presents a modern take on soul music with In My Mind, while keeping the spirit of the music form alive. โ D.B.
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Kaleidoscope Dream โ Miguel (2012)
Miguel had a lot to prove with his sophomore album, Kaleidoscope Dream. His debut, All I Want Is You, was the spacey and rhythmic introduction to his genre-melding talents, yet it wasn’t well-received upon its release. Taking significant creative control this time, Miguel returned to the drawing board to create an imaginative fusion of psychedelic soul, rock and R&B. The album begins with โAdorn,โ the feel-good throwback-adjacent single that matured into a classic over time. As the ear-bending journey continues, the title track is more than fitting of its name, navigating a chromatically rippling number thatโll take listeners to another plane. The daringly neoteric direction Miguel took resulted in him becoming a regarded voice among male R&B. โ D.B.
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Late Nights & Early Mornings โ Marsha Ambrosius (2011)
As half of the neo-soul duo Floetry, Marsha Ambrosius is one of the pillars that fused rap, soul, and jazz to create the genre nearly 20 years ago. It was these elements and a sultry, operatic voice that were the driving force behind her debut solo album, Late Nights & Early Mornings. However, pushing the envelope even further, Ambrosius brought her unique form of storytelling into a new era and rewrote the book of grown and sexy for a new decade.
She included clever scenarios in songs like โI Hope She Cheats On You (With a Basketball Player)โ and “Far Away,” a tear-jerking narrative that you feel just as hard as the sensual slow jams. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, and โFar Away” earned two Grammy nominations at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012. Late Nights & Early Mornings became less of a single project for one moment in time, but a mood for the right time of night, anytime. Whether those listening were feeling kinky, sad or just lying awake thinking about life, Ambrosiusโ pen was there to get them through it. โ A.H.
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Love Life โ Tamia (2015)
Itโs hard to believe Tamia recorded her very solid sixth studio album, Love Life, in just 10 days. Taking an edgier approach than her previous works, Love Life is grown and sexy at its finest. โIt’s not as deep and dark as some of my past albums; it’s in a better place,โ she said in a past interview. The Canadian singer worked with a diverse group of songwriters and producers, including The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Pop & Oak, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, Polow Da Don, and The Stereotypes.
The romantic album highlights the best moments of being in love โ and could even serve as a guide on how to add a little spice to a long-term relationship. Tamia describes the feeling of falling in love with the opener โLove Falls Over Me.โ On the albumโs lead single, โSandwich and a Soda,โ she gets submissive as she sings about taking care of her man inside and outside of the bedroom. Speaking of the bedroom, Tamia doesnโt hold back on songs about making love (โChaise Lounge,โ โLipstickโ and โNo Lieโ). The albumโs standout track is definitely โStuck With Me,โ which peaked at No. 14 on Billboard’s US Adult R&B Songs chart. Love Life is another example of how an artist can be intimate while leaving something to the imagination. โ K.S.
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Love, Marriage & Divorce โ Toni Braxton and Babyface (2014)
Toni Braxton and Babyfaceโs Grammy-winning joint album Love, Marriage & Divorce is a quite satisfying collection of gorgeous selections that profile the romantic confessions of their lives. Working closely alongside heavyweight musicians Daryl Simmons and Antonio Dixon, the two R&B greats cover past, present, and future love stories and share important experiences to provide healing for oneโs relationship and heart. Passionately sung numbers like โWhere Did We Go Wrong?โ minister the power of listening, while โReunitedโ supports mutual reconciliation. Other standouts include the remorse hit โHurt You,โ the love-drenched makeup tune โSweatโ and โIโd Rather Be Broke,โ the bittersweet solo by Braxton. Needless to say, Braxton and Edmonds are a fine duo, and itโs a serious crime when theyโre apart for too long. โ A.F.
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New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh โ Erykah Badu (2010)
Two years after releasing New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War), Erykah Badu followed up with the albumโs sequel, New Amerykah, Pt. 2 (Return of the Ankh). While part one centered around politically charged topics, part two is more personal as Badu focused more on her love life. Sonically, the album pulls inspiration from Baduโs early works like Baduizm. โThe album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings,โ Badu explained at a listening party in 2010. The obvious standout is her liberating single โWindow Seat.โ The controversial video, which shows Badu walking around nude in Dealy Plaza, ultimately led to her getting charged with disorderly conduct. Other highlights on the album include the funk-infused โTurn Me Away (Get Munny),โ the cautionary โFall in Love (Your Funeral)โ and the buttery โUmm Hmm.โ โ K.S.
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No Boys Allowed โ Keri Hilson (2011)
Some fans and critics had to learn not to judge an album by its title when Keri Hilson announced her sophomore effort, No Boys Allowed. She explained the meaning behind the album in a press release, “It’s not about excluding men. It’s more about women understanding that there comes a time in your life when you want a man. A real man. A grown-up. Not a boy. And that’s not a bad thing.” While Hilsonโs debut album, In A Perfect World, was more on the safe side, No Boys Allowed saw the singer-songwriter more confident and open. Kicking off the album with her J.Cole-assisted banger โBuyou,โ Hilson made it clear that she wasnโt about the shits. โYou want a ride or die chick, baby / But you ain’t got a whip, baby / It ain’t gon’ happen / You don’t got shit, you need a walk or die chick, baby,โ she sings in the second verse. After setting the record straight, she showed love to the ladies with her empowering anthem โPretty Girl Rock,โ which was co-penned by Ne-Yo.
Some of the best moments on the album are Hilsonโs most vulnerable tracks. โBreaking Pointโ is about being fed up with a loverโs shenanigans. The bittersweet โBeautiful Mistakeโ is about regretting a past relationship. The John Legend-penned โAll the Boysโ hears Hilson reminiscing about relationships from her teenage years. At the time, she thought she was in love but later realized what true love is. โAfter all the boys that I thought I loved before I didn’t know what love was / Til you knocked on my door,โ she sings. Hilson balances the emotional feels with flirty numbers like โThe Way You Love Meโ featuring Rick Ross, โGimmie What I Want,โ and the reggae-tinged โBahm Bahm.โ No Boys Allowed is a nearly flawless genre-blending album that can be played from start to finish without skipping a track. The hidden interludes make the listening experience even more enjoyable โ even during some of the darkest moments on the album. โ K.S.
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Now or Never โ Tank (2010)
Three years after releasing his Grammy-nominated album Sex, Love & Pain, Tank returned with more bedroom vibes on Now or Never. It was his first album to release under Atlantic Records, following his departure from Blackground Records, where he released his first three albums. Now or Never is a coherent body of work that is filled with tender R&B tunes. With enticing titles like โSex Music,โ โScreamโ and the Chris Brown-assisted โForeplay,โ the R&B General was on a mission to please his listeners in every way.
Sonically, Now or Never is a lot lighter than its predecessor, which was done intentionally. “It’s a happier album, I’m appreciating more, I’m celebrating more,” he told The Boombox. Speaking of โCelebration,โ his Drake-assisted track is among the standout tunes on the LP. โEmergencyโ is probably the most recognized song on the album. Borrowing the same melody as Pleasure Pโs โUnder,โ which he also co-wrote and co-produced, โEmergencyโ sees Tank coming to the rescue to satisfy a womanโs needs in the bedroom. โWhen I got there, put her on the floor / She leakin’ but she still breathinโ,โ he sings. While Tank ended up releasing six albums this decade, Now or Never remains a staple in his discography. โ K.S.
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Passion, Pain & Pleasure โ Trey Songz (2010)
By the end of the 2000s, Virginia native Trey Songz was a full-fledged R&B sex symbol. On his fourth studio album, Passion, Pain, & Pleasure, Songz builds on the slow jam catalog heโs become notorious for. Moreover, he expands his seductive pallet to include more than just sex, but more mature emotions like lust in songs like โCanโt Be Friends,โ a rarity in the genre at the time. Also, the album spawned hits such as the Nicki Minaj-assisted โBottoms Up,โ which is certified four times platinum in the United States and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his highest-charting song to date.
Outside of being a great album, Passion, Pain, & Pleasure was one of the only albums that remained consistently R&B through and through. While his contemporaries were switching it up to keep up with the times, Songz carried the genre into the next decade by starting off strong. Not only that, he inspired several future baby-making hitmakers in the genre. Passion, Pain, & Pleasure earned Songz several nods, including Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist at the 39th Annual American Music Awards, and will forever be remembered as the album that paved the way for R&B in the 2010s. โ A.H.
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Perfectly Imperfect โ Elle Varner (2012)
As the daughter of two published songwriters, it is no surprise why Elle Varner has a knack for storytelling. Her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, via RCA Records, is a compilation of relatable stories centered around love and self-acceptance. Varner worked closely with production duo Pop&Oak and her father, Jimmy, to craft one of the most noteworthy debut R&B albums this decade. Although her Grammy-nominated single โRefillโ gets all the attention, there are quite a few gems on the album.
With a sample from Kool & The Gangโs โLittle Children,โ โI Donโt Careโ finds Varner going โinto the deep endโ with a guy and having no regrets about it. Over a funky bass, she tells her lover what she can bring to the table on โLeaf.โ The closing track, โSo Fly,โ is probably one of the most important songs on the album. The uplifting tune is about accepting yourself โ flaws and all. โSo, I decided I’m the definition of fly / And if you want to know why / I know what money can’t buy,โ she sings. โ K.S.
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Pieces of Me โ Ledisi (2011)
First and foremost, Ledisi is one of the best R&B/soul vocalists of the last 20 years. The New Orleans native has made a name for herself as an artist who renders lovely, traditional R&B-styled compositions with thrilling jazz crescendos. For her third major-label outing and fifth overall, Ledisi doesnโt miss a chance to continue enticing R&B fans with more sensational vocal takes. Pieces of Me satisfies those deeply in love with joyous tunes like the tender โI Gotta Get to Youโ and the everlasting ode โStay Togetherโ featuring Jaheim. Like the winning titular track, this remarkable set gives Ledisi a platform to be delightfully inspirational on empowering jams like the bluesy โBGTYโ and the self-advocating anthem โRaise Up.โ โ A.F.
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Raymond v. Raymond โ Usher (2010)
Usher was undoubtedly a bonafide superstar in the 2000s. However, all of that changed with his marriage to Tameka Foster in 2007, and the Atlanta native began to focus on themes of love and marriage. This caused a dip in sales for 2008โs Here I Stand, an album almost entirely inspired by his marriage to Foster. When the two unexpectedly divorced in 2009, it inspired Usher to create an album based on the situation as well as where he expected to go from there. Thus, Raymond v. Raymond was born. Seen as sort of a return to the sensual yet pain-stricken Confessions of 2004, Raymond v. Raymond features some of Usherโs finest uptempo hits of the decade, including โOMG,โ โHey Daddy (Daddyโs Home)โ and โLil Freak.โ
However, Usherโs sixth album saw him utilize the emerging sound of EDM for songs such as โDJ Got Us Falling In Loveโ and โSomebody to Love.โ This new-found sound extended into Usherโs hit love song โThere Goes By Baby,โ a wedding song for the ages. Raymond v. Raymond won Usher two Grammy Awards in 2011, including Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. An album with features from Nicki Minaj, JAY-Z, will.i.am, and more, Raymond v. Raymond is Usherโs return to form for a new generation of R&B fans to discover. โ A.H.
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Reality Show โ Jazmine Sullivan (2015)
When Jazmine Sullivan cleaned out her music industry cubicle in early 2011 to discover her true purpose in life, she left the world in complete shock. But, after nearly five years, the Philadelphia native had music admirers tuned into Reality Show, her third album. Ordering 12 songs, featuring studio input from the likes of SaLaAM ReMi, Key Wane, and Chuck Harmony, this phenomenal LP plays out overtly personal situations associated that are often a common narrative of many young Black women.
As a songsmith, with a knack for vivid imagery, Sullivan loads Reality Show with originals that seamlessly exalt her contemporary spirit like the trapsoul โBrand Newโ and down-chick anthem โ#Hoodlove.โ Some cuts sound like old favorites like the After 7-inspired hit โLet It Burnโ and โForever Donโt Last.โ Other attention-holders stand in a league of their own like the introspective art โMasterpiece (Mona Lisa).โ At the end of the day, Reality Show finds Sullivan singing with new conviction and versatility that makes her triumphant return to music more notable than other R&B comebacks. โ A.F.
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Souled Out โ Jhenรฉ Aiko (2014)
Being off-brand isnโt Jhenรฉ Aikoโs motive. Resurfacing on the scene with her 2011 mixtape Sailing Soul(s), she introduced her newly crafted sound that was more authentic to her artistry than her earlier work. Garnering recognition with her Sail Out EP in 2013, the debut album Souled Out concluded her motif. Aiko has remained steady on her music journey, refusing to let the industry steer her off course. Against an ambiently rhythmic background, her soothing voice lulls the sting of her realer-than-life lyrics. Aiko pulls from personal experiences and sets them in her songs, mirroring her reality with yours. With โLyin King,โ Aiko floats across the aquatic-like synths with a conviction that her lover will never know when a good thing is in his face. Souled Out is littered with philosophical gems while providing a guide through the commensurating stages of heartbreak and enlightenment. โ D.B.
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Still Standing โ Monica (2010)
The title says it all. Monica was Still Standing after a 15-year career of ups and downs. In the seasoned vocalistโs first album in four years, Monica capitalizes on the strength of her sincere duet with Keyshia Cole (โTrustโ) and makes a triumphant return with age-appropriate uptempo and downtempo R&B tunes. The iron-solid hit โEverything to Me,โ which marks her first-ever solo Grammy nod, takes its cue from Deniece Williamsโ soulful single โSilly.โ Monica keeps on the nostalgic path on โIf You Were My Man,โ while she lays her head on the chest of โSuperman,โ a soulful ode to her the man in the red cap. Other solid selections include the in-need banger โHere I Amโ and the sappy ballad โLove All Over Me.โ While Monica reflects mostly on love, she masterfully fuses songs about perseverance and self-importance on cuts like โMirror,โ โBelieving in Meโ and the survival title track. โ A.F.
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SweetSexySavage โ Kehlani (2017)
There is a captivating nature to Kehlani. It could be her transparency, her charm, or her confidence, but all those aspects and more attribute to her debut LP, SweetSexySavage. The Bay Area native signed a partnership with Atlantic Records, following the success of her 2015 mixtape, You Should Be Here. Her follow-up presented a refined body of work that remained honest to Kehlaniโs discography. Tracks like โToo Muchโ and โPersonalโ lift melodies and song structures from the โ90s and early 2000s without relying on obvious samples. She beams on โPiece of Mindโ; her flawless harmonies perfectly compliment the consonantly layered production, reaching peak vocals by the 2:42 mark. Kehlani exhibits a vibrant synergy of her inspirations with her artistry on her debut, successfully providing songs for the sweet, sexy and savage sides in all of us. โ D.B.
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The Electric Lady โ Janelle Monรกe (2013)
Janelle Monรกeโs imagination is aptly cinematic. From her debut EP Metropolis: The Chase Suite, Monรกe showcased her well-rounded vision by introducing the story of her alter-ego, android Cindi Mayweather. As the prequel to The ArchAndroid, the afro-futuristic dystopian tale of The Electric Lady is directed with a livelier soundtrack. Pulling inspiration from the early eras of soul music on tracks like โDance Apocalyptic,โ Monรกe shows she is a true student of those who came before her. She creates a sonic time chamber of sorts and lingers in the โ70s on โItโs Codeโ and โCanโt Live Without You,โ which takes a page out of Stevie Wonderโs book. Skillfully bridging the past, present and future of R&B, Monรกe brings Prince, Solange, and Erykah Badu along as co-pilots for the electrifying ride to the world of Metropolis. โ D.B.
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The Lady Killer โ CeeLo Green (2010)
CeeLo Green had the world shouting โF**k Youโ at the start of the decade. The tell-off anthem was the lead single to his third solo album, The Lady Killer, and earned Green a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2012. Sure, we can talk about how a song about a failed relationship with a gold digger was one of the biggest records at the time, but there is much more to be said about The Lady Killer. Best known as a member of the hip-hop group Goodie Mob, Green steered clear from rapping this time around on his soul-infused project.
โI thought The Lady Killer sounded edgy and elegant at the same time. So I wanted something like James Bond, but like Barry White would do it,โ he told Billboard in an interview. Green introduces his โLady Killerโ persona on the opening track, before living his best life on the catchy โBright Lights Bigger City,โ which has a looping bassline similar to Michael Jacksonโs โBillie Jean.โ Green keeps his listeners engaged with his dynamic vocal performance throughout the rest of the album. Some of his best vocal moments can be heard on โLove Gunโ featuring Lauren Bennett, โFool for Youโ featuring Earth Wind & Fireโs Philip Bailey, and the classic Motown-tinged โOld Fashion.โ โ K.S.
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The Light of the Sun โ Jill Scott (2011)
After laying down the bricks of neo-soul with her epic The Real Thing: Words and Sounds trilogy in the 2000s, Philadelphia native Jill Scott ventured into acting, making her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? in 2007. Scott released The Light of the Sun, a dramatic sonic change from her previous work. As Scottโs first three albums dealt with self-discovery and maturation through mellow grooves and heavy jazz influence, The Light of the Sun had a brighter sound than anything Scott had ever released.
Having given birth to her son Jett in 2009, the album reflected Scottโs happiness at the time as she celebrated life and love on songs such as โBlessedโ and โSo In Loveโ featuring Anthony Hamilton, as well as her proudful womanhood on tracks such as โWomanmanifesto.โ The Light of the Sun debuted atop the Billboard 200 and Top Hip-Hop/R&B Albums charts and earned Scott two Soul Train awards for Best Female Artist and Best R&B/Soul Album. Scottโs fourth album represents her transition from a young woman trying to find her way to a grown woman who knows exactly what she needs. โ A.H.
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The London Sessions โ Mary J. Blige (2014)
As the only accomplished force in mainstream music to take home Grammys in four different genres, Mary J. Blige has earned the right to experiment with new sounds and depart from the musical style sheโs responsible for pioneering. For her 12th studio effort, The London Sessions, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul left the States and jetted across the pond to draw recording inspiration from the UKโs brightest stars, including Sam Smith, Disclosure, and Emeli Sandรฉ. The deep house tracks โNobody But Youโ and โMy Lovingโ thrive on blissful lyrical material. Meanwhile, The London Sessions features acoustic, therapeutic ballads (โNot Loving You,โ โTherapyโ) that speak for themselves. Overall, this noteworthy disc sends an important wake-up call to the music industry: Mary J. Blige isnโt afraid of change if it means she doesnโt have to be boxed in. โ A.F.
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The Love and War MasterPeace โ Raheem DeVaughn (2010)
There comes a time when an artist wants to create a body of music to help heal the world. For Raheem DeVaughn, the time came for his third studio album, The Love and War MasterPeace. โI named the album The Love and War MasterPeace because I feel that where I am as a person and where we are as a people, we are all trying to master that internal peace and happiness in a very strange time,โ DeVaughn said in a past press statement.
Pulling inspiration from fellow Washington, D.C. native Marvin Gayeโs critically acclaimed album Whatโs Going On, The Love and War MasterPeace tackles issues affecting our society. Gayeโs influence can clearly be heard on the albumโs lead single, โBulletproof,โ featuring Ludacris, which is a call to action for everyone to open their eyes to whatโs really happening in the world around them. โYou betta’ pray to the most high or whoever you praise / ‘Cause politicians can’t help you, they puppets to slaves,โ warns DeVaughn. He empowers women on songs like โThe Greatnessโ featuring Wale and reminds them of their worth on โBlack & Blue,โ which brings awareness to domestic violence. It wouldnโt be a Raheem DeVaughn album without his babymaking music. He brings seductive vibes on velvety tunes like โFragileโ featuring Malik Yusef, โB.O.B,โ โMicrophone,โ and โGarden of Love.โ โ K.S.
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The MF Life โ Melanie Fiona (2012)
Melanie Fiona cemented herself as a retro-soul singer with her debut album, The Bridge. The sound of her Grammy-nominated single โIt Kills Meโ would serve as the blueprint for her next album, The MF Life. Released on Universal Records, The MF Life explored the highs and lows of love. With an emphasis on low moments, the 14-track offering is filled with punch-you-in-the-gut emotion and vivid storytelling. “I wanted it to be a collection of music and songs that make people think about the things that we actually go through and feel,โ Fiona told NPR. Heartbreak and sorrow are reoccurring themes on The MF Life. โWrong Side of a Love Songโ is Fionaโs desperate attempt to get her man back after he broke up with her. โThis is what it feels to be the one that’s standing left behind,โ she sings.
Fiona also deals with loss on the album. โGone (La Dada Di),โ featuring Snoop Dogg, is probably the most depressing song on the set. The Soundz-produced cut finds Fiona trying to process the death of her lover and regretting the argument they had. โGuess I’m thinking bout the last conversation we had / And the mean things that we’ve said / Wishing I could take the whole thing back / As I’m standing at his doorway, covered in red,โ she sings. Fionaโs raspy vocals shine on records like โBonesโ and โRunning.โ There are some lighter moments on the album, such as the uplifting tunes โChange the Recordโ featuring B.o.B and โWatch Me Work.โ The MF Life is a testament that our lives are not perfect and we will all go through some painful and traumatic experiences at some point. And when we do, we can always revisit Fionaโs stellar body of work. โ K.S.
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Three Kings โ TGT (2013)
At a time when male singing groups were scarce, Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank filled a necessary void. Following in the steps of their predecessors LSG (Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill), the solo R&B singers who are actual friends formed their supergroup TGT and released their only album Three Kings in 2013. They include all of the quintessential R&B album checkpoints: a song with a rap feature (โNo Funโ), a few ballads and slow jams (โI Need,โ โLessons In Loveโ) with a few interludes in between. Among the tracks, โBurn Outโ is the standout sleeper from their debut. Each gentleman performs ostentatiously on the intricate production that consists of multiple sonic and vocal peaks. The finished product creates an aural rush thatโll drive listeners into melodic bliss. Their distinct voices combined created harmonies that offered a unique texture and technique that has been absent from current R&B music. The trioโs undeniable formula led them to a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album in 2014. โ D.B.
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Two Eleven โ Brandy (2012)
Four years in the making, Brandyโs sixth album is her blood, sweat and tears. Drawing ultrasonic magic from familiar names like Sean Garrett, Bangladesh, Frank Ocean, Rico Love, and Mike WiLL Made-It, Two Eleven is an almost hour-long masterpiece that is home to singular vocal runs, adventurous, high-quality production, and broad songwriting. Though Two Eleven lacked a true conceptual vision, at least it had strong songs with potential hit value. โPut It Downโ featuring Chris Brown is rhythmic radio gold. Advanced-sounding tracks โSo Sickโ and โSlowerโ had what it took to be embraced by urban as prized singles. Elsewhere, Brandy flawlessly adds in gem-worthy solos like โWish Your Love Awayโ and โWithout You.โ In a few words, Two Eleven is just that album โ period. โ A.F.
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VII โ Teyana Taylor (2014)
Before Teyana Taylor became a household name from her iconic performance in Kanye Westโs โFadeโ video, she released an album that many people slept on. Taylor has always been open about her musical influences. On VII, her debut album, the Harlem native takes a few pages from the โ90s R&B playbook to create a timeless masterpiece. She draws inspiration from some of her idols like Aaliyah, Brandy, Janet Jackson, and Lauryn Hill. Co-writing every track on the album, Taylor enlisted help from hitmakers like James Fauntleroy, Eric Bellinger, Harmony Samuels, Boi-1da, and Stacy Barthe to create songs that will be played for decades to come. “I want that album you can clean up to, the album you can make love to, the album you can just relax to,โ she told Fuse TV.
Taylor opens VII with โOutta My League,โ which sounds like an outtake from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The calming production helps set the mood for the rest of the album. Most of the album sounds like it was made for the bedroom, especially on โRequest,โ โDo Not Disturbโ featuring Chris Brown and the booming lead single โMaybeโ featuring Pusha T and Yo Gotti. She looks for a no-strings-attached affair on the Fabolous-assisted โBroken Hearted Girlโ (donโt let the title fool you.) The album isnโt completely sex-driven, though. She reflects on a failed relationship on the piano-driven ballad โSorry,โ before finally dismissing her no-good man on โIn the Air.โ With VII, Taylor successfully positioned herself as an R&B singer who cared more about making meaningful music than keeping up with trends. โ K.S.
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Woman to Woman โ Keyshia Cole (2012)
Put some respect on Keyshia Coleโs name. For the most part, this Oakland native has a solid catalog, even though there was a disconnect with fans and critics on her fourth LP, Calling All Hearts. Taking serious note, the R&B vocalist regained her early career glory on Woman to Woman. This essential comeback album perfectly mixes Coleโs trademark soul-baring touch with tuneful radio melodies and forward-minded arrangements. Album highlights include the whimsical duet โWonderlandโ featuring Elijah Blake, the beans-spilling title track with Ashanti, the grand ballads โI Choose Youโ and โTrust and Believe,โ and everything else in between. Woman to Woman is indeed a strong return for a promising R&B legend with more fire in her belly. โ A.F.
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X โ Chris Brown (2014)
Like many artists in the early 2010s, Chris Brown merged his sound with that of contemporary genres such as Dubstep and EDM on 2012โs Fortune, and with innovation came criticism from critics and fans alike. However, in 2014, the Grammy-winning artist proved he was still all in for R&B with his sixth album, X. Combining old and new sounds, X is anchored by radio-ready singles Brown fans were accustomed to, such as โLove More,โ โNew Flame,โ and the massive summer hit โLoyal.โ The latter went on to peak at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is now certified four times platinum in the United States.
With this project, Brown also became one of the few artists to reconnect with the late songstress Aaliyah on โDonโt Think They Know.โ An LP for the ages, X is stacked with features from some of the biggest stars of the time, such as Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Trey Songz, Usher, Rick Ross, Brandy, and more. Plus, it features production from some of the brightest talents, including Diplo, DJ Mustard, and Jean Baptiste. X was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards and ultimately is a representation of Brownโs hit-making ability in R&B and beyond. โ A.H.
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