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 Classics — From the Latest Hits to Legendary Chart-Toppers [2025] (21–30)
Don’t Worry Bout MeMaina Doe
Maina Doe is a talented singer-songwriter of Indonesian-Somali heritage.
With a distinctive style that fuses ’90s R&B and hip-hop with contemporary electronic sounds, she’s bringing a fresh breeze to the music scene.
Featured on her debut EP “ODIWAMS,” released in July 2024, this track is a captivating number that skillfully incorporates elements of R&B and soul.
Marked by experimental yet elegant production and deeply emotive expression, the lyrics delve into themes of solitude and tranquility that resonate deeply.
Immediately after its release, it was selected for Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist and has been earning high praise from listeners in Australia and New Zealand—one to watch.
BurningTems
The new song by Tems, the acclaimed Nigerian singer, is a captivating track featuring a powerful message and her signature soulful vocals.
Centered on themes of self-discovery and inner conflict, it portrays the emptiness and pressure that lurk behind fame.
Included on her debut album “Born In The Wild,” released in June 2024, the song is quintessentially her, blending R&B and Afrobeats.
The album, a culmination of Tems’s growth and self-expression, reached No.
3 on the Nigerian albums chart.
It’s a recommended track for anyone on a journey of self-discovery or looking to listen to their inner voice.
VintageMoses Sumney
A groovy track where soulful vocals and lo‑fi sonics resonate comfortably.
The lyrics evoke nostalgia for the past, blending seamlessly with a sound influenced by ’90s R&B.
This is Moses Sumney’s first new song in about four years since his 2020 album græ, released in June 2024.
The music video has also generated buzz; Sumney himself directed it, and it was shot on Kodak’s new film.
It’s perfect for quiet nights when you want to unwind with music, or for anyone seeking fresh talent in neo-soul and alternative R&B.
SaturnSZA
A soothing track woven from a memorable, beautiful melody and introspective lyrics.
SZA’s signature, translucent vocals melt into a dreamlike soundscape.
Surprise-released in February 2024, the song was also featured in a Mastercard commercial during the Grammy Awards period.
With a floating sensation that evokes a journey to Saturn, it delicately captures the longing for escapism.
It’s a song you’ll want to play when you need a break from the daily hustle and wish to quietly reconnect with yourself.
FoldedKehlani
A song by the American singer Kehlani, marked by feather-light arrangements and layered, introspective vocals.
It portrays a poised figure who, without yielding to past experiences or pressure, quietly closes one chapter and moves on to the next.
Anyone who’s stood at a crossroads in life will find it deeply relatable.
Released in June 2025, the track showcases the heightened expressive power she’s honed since the masterpiece Crash.
Listen on a summer evening at dusk, and you may feel a sense of purification—along with a gentle warmth that feels like a soft push forward.
Take You DownSZA
It’s a track with a laid-back beat and a mysterious vibe—perfect for a summer night.
It’s included on Lana, the reissue of American R&B artist SZA’s acclaimed album SOS.
SZA is known for her emotionally rich lyrics, and this song feels like it portrays intimate, sensual moments with someone special.
Her whispery vocals over restrained production make it feel like you’re sharing a secret between two people.
Originally left off the album, it was released just before her performance at the Super Bowl in February 2025, surprising fans.
Why not give it a listen on a summer evening, when the breeze has cooled a bit and you’re ready to relax?
BodySummer Walker
A perfect track for summer nights from Summer Walker, a leading figure in the modern R&B scene.
This song is included on her acclaimed October 2019 release, Over It.
While it seems to exude a purely sensual mood, the lyrics actually carry a message of self-love—cherishing your body and embracing its allure in full.
The fact that a music video was created about a year and a half later in response to passionate fan demand shows just how deeply loved this track is.
Listen at summer dusk, as the air turns a bit cooler, and you’ll feel both mind and body gently unwind.
Put it on for a night when you want to treat yourself with care.