Popular R&B. Japanese Artist Rankings [2026]
R&B is popular around the world and has now become one of the most important genres in the music scene.
Originally a genre that developed from Black music, it’s of course also popular in Japan, and there are many artists influenced by R&B.
This time, we’ll introduce Japanese R&B artists in a popularity ranking.
- Japanese R&B Popularity Rankings [2026]
- [Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks, Representative Songs of Japanese R&B
- [2026] Latest and Noteworthy J-Pop R&B Tracks
- A band group that colors Japan’s R&B scene
- Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]
- Popular Hip-Hop: Japanese Artist Rankings [2026]
- Popular Reggae: Japanese Artist Rankings [2026]
- Popular R&B: Western Music Artist Rankings [2026]
- Classic R&B songs recommended for women
- Male-Popularity Artist Rankings [2026]
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- RSP Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- Western R&B Popularity Rankings [2026]
Popular R&B: Japanese Artist Rankings [2026] (51–60)
luv luv feat. JunofloRIRI57rank/position
RIRI is the most talked-about young R&B singer right now.
Having listened to Western music since childhood, she delivers vocal runs that don’t feel Japanese at all, and she’s gaining international attention.
Recently, she’s been collaborating with overseas producers who have worked with artists like Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, and her future success is highly anticipated.
“luv luv feat.
Junoflo” is one of her standout tracks, featuring a memorable melody with a Latin R&B vibe.
ALL GODS BLESS MERYKEYDADDYDIRTY58rank/position
Rapper RYKEYDADDYDIRTY, who rose to popularity through the contrast between his brazen persona and delicate lyrics.
His track “ALL GODS BLESS ME” is a signature work, widely loved for its poignant lyrics.
The hook leans more toward a vocal part than rap, giving it a mellow finish.
The vocal range is narrow and doesn’t require complex pitch movement, so the hook shouldn’t feel difficult.
The rap sections also don’t feature challenging flows or fastest-rap passages, making the overall difficulty relatively low.
StalemateRe:nG59rank/position
The duet song “Stalemate” by Hatsune Miku and KAITO.
In addition to a kayōkyoku-style touch, it has a rhythmic feel characteristic of Black music, yet the melody flows smoothly.
The two’s gentle voices blend together, further highlighting the pathos of the lyrics.
miss youRyohei60rank/position
It is said that he spent his childhood in the United States, growing up surrounded by authentic music, and that in 2000 he studied singing under the Stevie Wonder band.
He writes and composes almost all of his songs himself.
His hallmark is a clear, sweet voice paired with rhythmic, catchy lyrics.
Popular R&B: Japanese Artist Ranking [2026] (61–70)
Virgin KillerSILVA61rank/position
This track has a four-on-the-floor, Latin beat and is pure house music, but I picked it because it uses many approaches common in soulful Black music.
The afro hairstyle drew a lot of attention at the time.
In places like the U.S., Latin hip-hop and reggae were trending in 2018.
In Japan, you used to hear them a lot in the 2000s, but they’ve cooled off a bit recently.
GardenSUGAR SOUL62rank/position
Speaking of Sugar Soul, many people have a strong image of this song they collaborated on with Dragon Ash’s kj and think it was a solo female act, but in fact they were a three-member unit at the time.
Currently, it seems that AIKO is working solo based in Kumamoto.
Cold DancerScoobie Do63rank/position
This is a song by SCOOBIE DO, a band formed in 1995.
It’s included on their 2017 album “CRACKLACK.” The bouncy guitar riff in the intro really sticks in your ears.
The music video, which looks like they’re playing Red Light, Green Light (Daruma-san ga koronda), is unique.