R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
The history of R&B—rhythm and blues—goes way back, and the term itself is said to have existed since the 1940s.
That said, the image most people have of R&B as a music genre today was largely established from the 1990s onward, shaped through the lens of club music.
In this article, the first half features a lineup focused on the latest hits and standout tracks by rising artists, while the latter half is packed with classic songs from the 1990s, often called the golden age of R&B.
It offers a broad selection that also looks at subgenres like contemporary R&B, neo-soul, and alternative R&B, so we encourage newcomers to R&B to check it out as well.
- Western R&B Popularity Ranking [2025]
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- Popular R&B: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]
- [2025] Western Music You’ve Heard at Least Once — From Trending New Tracks to Timeless Classics
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- [Latest] Quick Guide to Trends in Western R&B Music [2025]
- Classic R&B songs recommended for women
- [2025] Best Western R&B Love Songs: A Curated Collection of Romance Tracks
- Classic Western R&B songs to listen to in autumn
- Classic R&B songs perfect for summer: recommended popular tracks
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- Refined Sound: The World of Stylish Vocaloid R&B Songs
- Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
Western R&B Masterpieces — From the Latest Hits to All-Time Classics [2025] (181–190)
ContactKelela
Kelela, whose debut album Take Me Apart, released in 2017, received widespread acclaim and who also performed in Japan at Summer Sonic 2018, is often described within the realm of alternative R&B.
However, she’s signed to the prestigious Warp Records, a label known for releasing forward-thinking works by artists rooted in dance music.
Her long-awaited second album, RAVEN, released in February 2023, transcends genre boundaries, showcasing cutting-edge production and her mysterious, beautiful vocals in a remarkable work.
Contact, included on that album, is, in her words, a “soundtrack for the pre-game”—meant to be listened to on the way to the club at night.
Built around a UK garage-like beat, it exudes a sensuous feeling that densely evokes the night, tinged with drifting psychedelia, and all of it is brought together with refined elegance by Kelela’s superb vocals—simply exquisite!
Don’t Pretend ft. SAFEKhalid
Khalid is a hugely important figure in the contemporary R&B scene.
Born in 1998, he proved both his talent and popularity by earning a Grammy nomination just two years after his 2016 debut.
“Don’t Pretend,” a collaboration between Khalid and SAFE, is an R&B track with a mellow vibe.
TalkKhalid
Khalid, an R&B singer from Georgia, is known for a musical style that blends trendy sounds while retaining the vibe of late ’90s and 2000s R&B.
In “Talk,” the track incorporates contemporary elements, yet the overall progression is crafted in classic R&B fashion.
In today’s R&B scene, which leans increasingly toward dance music, his tradition-conscious style leaves a very strong impression.
If you’re interested, be sure to check out his other works as well.
Mad At Me.Kiana Ledé
In the 2020s, a wave of talented young R&B artists has been debuting one after another, crossing the boundaries between indie and major labels to the point where the scene feels fiercely competitive.
As someone who could shape the future of 2020s R&B, my personal recommendation is Kiana Ledé, born in 1997.
Her full-fledged debut album, Kiki, released in 2020, became a hot topic among music fans as a masterpiece that encapsulates the very essence of R&B in the 2020s.
Its sound, which reconstructs trending elements of ’90s R&B through a modern lens, has a charm that can feel both nostalgic and fresh depending on the listener.
The lead track, Mad At Me, is a cool number that showcases a bold sensibility by quoting the main phrase from OutKast’s 2000 track So Fresh, So Clean.
It’s fair to call it a quintessential 2020s R&B classic, balancing a distinctly modern ennui with a strength that resists being carried away by mere vibes.
Love TheoryKirk Franklin
When it comes to R&B, in its earliest days it was used as a general term for Black music, and later it evolved into various styles such as blues, rock, and gospel.
Kirk Franklin is a singer influenced by gospel, hip-hop, and funk, and in his song “Love Theory,” you can feel a variety of musical elements all at once.
Ex-FactorLauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill is known as a leading singer in neo-soul.
In Japan, she’s recognized for her role as the heroine in the film Sister Act 2.
Unlike D’Angelo, who is regarded as a pioneer of neo-soul, her take on the genre strongly reflects hip-hop influences.
However, Ex-Factor is crafted in a direction that’s the complete opposite of that style, leaning heavily into R&B.
Despite its very simple chord progression, the refined track gained widespread popularity and was sampled by famous artists such as Drake and Cardi B.
Ghostlive
Based in Los Angeles, Liv is a Dallas-born artist who draws on gospel roots while gaining attention for her forward-thinking sound that skillfully fuses R&B with hip-hop, jazz, and fusion.
Her second album, Girl In The Half Pearl, released in February 2023, has received high praise from prominent music media, making her a must-listen for anyone seeking distinctive, cutting-edge R&B.
Today, let’s spotlight Ghost, a track that was released ahead of the album.
You’ll be captivated by the track’s modern, UK garage-inspired breakbeats and Liv’s powerful, processed, soulful vocals.
If you’re into fresh sounds, this is one to check out!