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.
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Western R&B Masterpieces: From the Latest Hits to All-Time Classics [2025] (201–210)
AdorePrince
It’s a masterpiece that distills Prince’s aesthetic to its essence.
The song appears at the end of Sign O’ The Times and is also included on The Hits/The B-Sides and the Girl 6 soundtrack.
The version on The Hits/The B-Sides is edited down and shorter overall.
On CD, the Girl 6 release has the clearest instrument separation, making it especially pleasant to listen to.
In 2005, an American R&B group called Silk covered it, and that’s when I finally realized just how exceptional the original is.
Thieves In the TemplePrince
Prince is highly skilled at blending every genre.
His track “Thieves In the Temple” incorporates R&B, blues, and even elements close to rock, making it a highly unconventional sound for R&B.
It’s a recommended pick for anyone who wants to hear R&B with a unique twist.
I’ll Be Good to You (feat. Chaka Khan, Ray Charles)Quincy Jones
“I’ll Be Good to You (feat.
Chaka Khan, Ray Charles)” features a strikingly bouncy beat.
The soulful, powerful vocals by Chaka Khan and Ray Charles pair perfectly with the upbeat background music, making it a standout track.
Escapism.RAYE, 070 Shake
Born in 1997, RAY is a singer-songwriter from the UK.
A graduate of the renowned BRIT School—the prestigious artist-training institution that produced mega-stars like Amy Winehouse and Adele—she was highly regarded for her talent from her teenage years.
However, it wasn’t until February 2023 that she released her long-awaited debut full-length album, My 21st Century Blues, and it came out independently.
The album, crafted outside the major-label system, is superb and well worth checking out, but here we’re focusing on its lead single, Escapism, which reached No.
1 in the UK.
Featuring American rapper 070 Shake from New Jersey, the track stands out stylistically from much of the album, but its sleek, contemporary production—blending elements of R&B, electropop, and hip-hop with finesse—is seriously cool.
Pay attention as well to the striking contrast created by the two artists’ distinctly different vocal performances.
SensitivityRalph Tresvant
“Sensitivity” features a sexy, smooth, and flowing groove that was popular in the 1990s and 2000s.
Ralph Tresvant’s delicate vocal style brings out the overall mood.
It’s a track that would definitely lift your spirits on a nighttime drive.
Umbrella (feat. JAY Z)Rihanna
A classic that won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 50th Grammy Awards, featuring rapper Jay-Z.
The song uses rain and an umbrella as metaphors for their love and feelings, and Rihanna’s powerful yet gentle vocals are overwhelming.
It’s a perfect track to listen to on a rainy day.
SomeoneSWV
A female R&B group from the United States.
They were active in the 1990s and produced numerous hit songs.
This track is memorable for its slow, conversational singing style.
Other well-known hits include “Right Here” (1992) and “Weak” (1993).