[Latest] Quick Guide to Trends in Western R&B Music [2025]

CarmenJoy Crookes

Joy Crookes – Carmen (Official Video)

A powerful tour de force that fuses refined neo-soul with alternative R&B, carrying a strong message about beauty standards and societal pressure.

London-born singer-songwriter Joy Crookes released a new single from her second album in May 2025.

Further honing the acclaimed songwriting talent she showcased on her 2021 album Skin, this track excels with its neo-soul sound woven from striking percussion and Crookes’s rich vocals.

Produced by Blue May and co-written with an all-star team that includes Elton John, the song has the power to evoke deep empathy in listeners.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who values self-affirmation while questioning the modern world.

NOT THE SAME2 Chainz, Ne-Yo

2 Chainz, Ne-Yo – NOT THE SAME (Official Video)

Rapper 2 Chainz, from College Park, Georgia, is not only active in music but also as an actor and entrepreneur.

The June 2025 track he created together with powerhouse R&B singer Ne-Yo is a captivating song where 2 Chainz’s signature trap style blends beautifully with Ne-Yo’s soulful vocals.

Over a laid-back beat, themes of 2 Chainz’s personal growth and rebirth from pain are skillfully expressed, with Ne-Yo’s emotional singing further elevating the story.

The track serves as part of the soundtrack for the short film “Red Clay,” which 2 Chainz also helped produce, closely tying into the film’s themes of community trauma and healing.

It’s a song that exudes warmth and strength, offering support to those striving to overcome hardship.

Touch Me Like A GangsterJessie Murph

Jessie Murph – Touch Me Like a Gangster (Official Visualizer)

American singer-songwriter Jessie Murph.

Known for her genre-blending sound that fuses country, pop, and hip-hop, the single she released in June 2025 is a lead track from her second album, “Sex Hysteria,” which dropped in July of the same year.

This R&B-leaning song spotlights Jessie’s signature raspy high-register vocals and tension-building strings, delivering a candid anthem of women’s sexual autonomy and liberation.

Its debut at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show in May 2025 also generated major buzz.

It’s a must-hear for listeners who want to experience her evolution from an introspective debut to a bolder form of self-expression.

Give It to YouMya

Mya – Give It to You (Official Lyric Video)

Hailing from Washington, D.

C.

, Mya is a multitalented singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress who has sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

In 2002, she won a Grammy for “Lady Marmalade.” The track she released ahead of her tenth studio album is a summer anthem steeped in the vibe of ’80s funk.

She herself has said she crafted it as a perfect fit for outdoor summer moments, and its feel-good groove evokes roller skating and block parties.

Released in June 2025 on her own label, this song is guaranteed to lift your spirits at summer drives or barbecues, and it’s highly recommended for anyone craving a funky sound.

enoughKilo Kish

KILO KISH – enough

This work by Kilo Kish, a U.

S.

-based multi-creator, released in May 2025, brims with a serene allure that fuses synth-pop and R&B.

Centered on themes of self-affirmation and inner validation, it skillfully blends hypnotic synthesizer tones with dreamy vocals to gently guide listeners into a calm, trance-like state.

Beyond her talents as a singer-songwriter, her experimental sound—rooted in her eye for visual art and design—captures music fans and doesn’t let go.

With a track record that includes placements in the HBO series Euphoria, this song is especially recommended for those seeking deep introspection and emotional release.

Gripper (ft. T-Pain)Flo Milli

Flo Milli – Gripper (Visualizer) ft. T-Pain

Born in 2000, Flo Milli is a rapper from Mobile, Alabama.

She drew attention in 2018 when Beef FloMix became a viral hit on social media.

Her track featuring T-Pain boldly fuses early-2000s R&B with modern trap beats.

T-Pain’s signature vocoder melodies intertwine perfectly with her sharp, confident rap, making for a cross-generational collaboration.

The song appears on the album Fine Ho, Stay, and was released shortly after she gave birth to her first child, a son, in April 2025.

Expressing women’s agency and self-confidence, her music is perfect for those looking to light up the late-night club scene or tap into powerful, feminine energy.

n da morning4Batz

4batz – n da morning (Official Music Video)

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, R&B artist 4batz, born in 2003, captivates listeners with his delicate, dreamlike R&B sound and soaring vocals.

Blending minimal production with a gentle falsetto, this track—released in April 2025—paints an intimate portrait of love and desire in the early hours.

It follows his 2024 debut mixtape, “U Made Me a St4r,” and garnered attention for its high-profile collaboration with Kanye West.

Perfect for a morning drive, the song offers a soothing fusion of ’90s R&B and modern hip-hop.