The best R&B albums of the 2010s

Monica comes from a certain class of singers who came out in the ‘90s and continue to feed their fans the music they love. Monica did just that in 2010 when she released her sixth album, Still Standing. She worked with a plethora of super producers, including Polow Da Don, Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, and Ne-Yo, to help her go back to her foundational music style. Monica’s powerful contralto tone shines on tracks like  “Everything to Me” and “Love All Over Me.” 

Just a year after he released his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, Frank Ocean returned with his debut album, Channel Orange. Ocean keeps the sound pretty mellow and smooth, which is evident on tracks like “Thinkin’ Bout You,” “Sweet Life,” and “Pink Matter.” Due to the album’s massive success, many people praised Ocean to be one the most promising new artists pushing alt-R&B. 

Jazmine Sullivan has always had a voice that sounded wise beyond her years. Even when she was a pre-teen, her astronomical voice could compete with someone three times her age. Sullivan’s powerful and soulful tone floats effortlessly across her third album, Reality Show. The acrobatics she can do between a lower register vocal and higher tone beam bright on tracks like “Silver Lining,” “Masterpiece (Mona Lisa),” and “Let It Burn.” 

Proud members of the BeyHive are well aware of how significant the number four is to Beyoncé. Her fourth solo album, aptly titled 4, garnered a number of singles, including the empowerment anthem “Run the World (Girls),” “Best Thing I Never Had,” and the ‘80s R&B-inspired track “Love On Top.” With production from producers like The-Dream, Babyface, Ryan Tedder, and more, 4 showcased how much Beyoncé chose to show her range of musical styles.

Just two years after releasing his debut album, Miguel returned in 2012 with his sophomore project, Kaleidoscope Dream. While fans were aware of his songwriting abilities, this time around, he got more creative with his instrumentation and co-production. With fan-favorite tracks like “Adorn,” “How Many Drinks,” and “Candle in the Sun,” it’s the type of album that flows seamlessly from track to track. 

When Anderson .Paak released his sophomore album Malibu, it was the start of the musician gaining more mainstream status. He teamed with a star-studded roster of feature artists, including ScHoolboy Q, Rapsody, The Game, Talib Kweli, and more. He brings more of a neo-soul sound on “The Waters,” a groovy yet funky bass line on the '70s-inspired track “Put Me Thru,” and mixes jazz with some hip-hop on “Room In Here.” Malibu helped .Paak earn his first Grammy Award nomination. 

Just three years after releasing her first EP, Ari Lennox put everyone on notice with her 2019 debut album, Shea Butter Baby. From the opening track “Chicago Boy,” Lennox blends elements of neo-soul and jazz, perfect for a tone reminiscent of a young Erykah Badu at times. The smooth bass line on the first single, “Whipped Cream,” sounds like a track that could’ve been released during the prime neo-soul days. Lennox shows her sensual side on tracks like “BMO” and “Facetime” and shows her independent side on “New Apartment.” From top to bottom, Ari’s tone floats effortlessly and proves to be a standout among the plethora of R&B vocalists. 

Erykah Badu has always had an old soul who brings her unique style to different generations of fans. In 2010, Badu released her fifth album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh). She did most of the co-production throughout the project alongside producers like 9th Wonder, Madlib, and more. Badu had everyone talking when she released her explicit and controversial video for the album’s first single, “Window Seat.” 

In 2015, Ty Dolla Sign released his debut album Free TC, an album title that is dedicated to his incarcerated brother. The album was set to be successful with an elite class of producers, including D’Mile, DJ Mustard, Babyface, Hit-Boy, Metro Boomin, and many more. Dolla $ign shows love to the city that raised him on the opening track “LA,” deals with relationship issues on “Credit,” and highlights his infatuation with a woman on “Sitting Pretty.” The way he floats effortlessly between his R&B and hip-hop style, it’s no wonder his style is often deemed to be inspired by the late Nate Dogg. 

After a four-year hiatus, Brandy released her sixth album, Two Eleven, to rave reviews. Named after Brandy’s birthday, the album garnered two singles, “Put It Down” and “Wildest Dreams.” However, the album's deep cuts are the standouts. From trying to get over a past love on “Wish Your Love Away” and claiming that her partner will never find anyone better on “Do You Know What You Have?,” Brandy’s raspy tone melts across the production with topics on love and life.

At a time when there aren’t many bands in the R&B world, The Internet proves to be a light that bands can still thrive in this new era. On the band’s third album Ego Death, they mix alternative R&B with soul and hip-hop that shines bright on tracks like “Girl,” “Special Affair,” and “Go With It.” Lead singer Syd’s smooth voice glides effortlessly across the guitar and piano chords on “Under Control,” and her airy tone is perfect alongside the deep bass line on “Special Affair.” 

Jhené Aiko’s soft voice is always perfect for her mix of alternative and psychedelic R&B on her album Souled Out. In pure Aiko fashion, the album beams with messages on life lessons, love, and mantras. These themes shine brightly on tracks like “To Live & Die,” “The Pressure,” and “W.A.Y.S.” 

After an eight-year hiatus, Solange released her third album, A Seat at the Table. The album focuses on the experience of Black culture, trauma, and healing, which is heard throughout on the gatekeeping track “F.U.B.U.,” dealing with microaggressions on “Don’t Touch My Hair,” and escape mechanisms on “Cranes In The Sky.” She worked with Raphael Saadiq on co-production through the majority of the album, and it's often referred to as one of the best albums of the decade. 

Leon Bridges may have only been 25 when he dropped his 2015 debut album Coming Home, but his style is reminiscent of soulful musicians like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. With tracks like “Better Man,” “Smooth Sailin',’” and the eponymous single, the album beams with a retro soul sound that baby boomers love to this day. 

Robert Glasper is a jazz musician at heart who uses the genre’s influence to add elements of R&B and hip-hop. His soulful and classic style shined on his 2012 album Black Radio. Since Glasper is a musician and arranger, he handled all the production while adding a star-studded roster of artists to sing the songs. Some of the album standouts include the Erykah Badu-assisted track “Afro Blue” and “Ah Yeah,” which features Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele.

After releasing two mixtapes, Kehlani released their debut album, SweetSexySavage, in 2017. Kehlani shows more of their sensual side on tracks like “Distraction,” gives a look inside their life story on “Not Used To It,” and attempts to deal with a break-up on “Piece of Mind.” Production duo Pop & Oak contributed to the majority of the album, ultimately helping Kehlani find the start of their sound.

Jill Scott continued her neo-soul dominance with her fourth album, The Light of the Sun. She teamed up with fellow soulful singer Anthony Hamilton on the first single, “So in Love,” and their tones mirrored each other perfectly. Scott also has never shied away from her sensual side, which is evident in songs like “Making You Wait” and “So Gone (What My Mind Says).” For the listeners who need some more uplifting presence, Scott beams on the final single “Blessed.” 

After a seven-year hiatus, Justin Timberlake returned with his third solo album, The 20/20 Experience. He teamed up with frequent collaborator Timbaland with themes of love, infatuation, and romance. While the first single, “Suit & Tie,” is about a man looking debonair in his fashions, other tracks like “Pusher Love Girl” and “Spaceship Coupe” showcase Timberlake’s love for a partner. The 20/20 Experience became 2013’s best-selling album in the U.S. 

A cool thing about Bruno Mars' artistry is how much he dives into different music eras with each album. 24K Magic was inspired by ‘90s R&B and New Jack Swing. At only nine tracks, Mars uses these R&B influences and puts his spin on it on tracks like “Chunky,” “Calling All My Lovelies,” and “Finesse.” He showcases a certain level of cool and shows how past eras can inspire you without appearing gimmicky.

It’s always interesting when an artist has a self-titled album, particularly when it’s not their first album. Beyoncé’s self-titled album came as her fifth solo project and was also released as a visual album. It took the world by storm because she released it during the early morning hours without any promotion or prior announcement. On the album, she teamed up with several elite producers, including Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, James Fauntleroy, Ryan Tedder, and Hit-Boy. Some of the fan-favorite tracks include “Partition,” “Blow,” and the Jay-Z-assisted single  “Drunk in Love.” 

In 2019, Snoh Aalegra released her second studio album, Ugh, Those Feels Again. Just based on the title alone, Aalegra wears her heart on her sleeve and is a master at putting listeners in their feelings. She explores topics of finding a forever love on tracks like “Find Someone Like You,” falling head over heels on “Whoa,” and dealing with a love that didn’t work out on “Charleville 9200, Pt. II.” For fans who enjoy R&B about love and heartbreak, Ugh, Those Feels Again deserves all the replay. 

Soulful singer D’Angelo took 14 years from his previous album to release his third project, Black Messiah. On the album, D’Angelo puts his soulful and funky inspirations on full display, easily putting a listener’s mind in another realm. The smooth instrumentation is heard throughout with standout tracks like “The Charade,” “Betray My Heart,” and the single “Really Love.” With a title like Black Messiah, D’Angelo ensures listeners that he’s truly an anointed artist who brings people on a spiritual experience. 

Jamila Woods explored the different nuances of Black womanhood on her debut album, HEAVN. Her smooth voice is also assertive on topics of Black culture, her hometown of Chicago, and hopes for a better tomorrow. She uses a Donell Jones sample on “LSD,” highlighting her hometown's ups and downs. She champions freedom fighters on “Blk Girl Soldier” and explains her living experience on “VRY BLK.” While the music is more R&B and soul, her voice sounds like an artist with jazz influences. 

Janelle Monáe continued their futuristic and otherworldly persona on their sophomore album, The Electric Lady. She incorporates elements of soul, funk, pop, and disco, making the album easy listening for different types of music lovers. Monáe also enlisted a star-studded of featured artists, including Erykah Badu, Solange, Miguel, and Prince. Whether giving fans a romantic ballad on “Primetime,” getting listeners to the dance floor on “Dance Apocalyptic," or proclaiming her individuality on “Q.U.E.E.N.,” The Electric Lady is one of Monae’s most comprehensive albums to date. 

In 2016, Rihanna released her eighth album, Anti, which was helmed by the dance-heavy track “Work.” Besides the Drake-assisted single getting people to the dance floor, the remainder of the album has more mid-tempo and downtempo sounds. The lo-fi sounds are heard on tracks like “Woo,” “Same Ol’ Mistakes,” and “Needed Me.” 

In 2014, Bryson Tiller took SoundCloud and social media by storm when he released his song “Don’t.” It became the official first single from his album Trapsoul, followed by “Exchange” and the Timbaland-produced track “Sorry Not Sorry.” The album’s title is coined after Tiller’s style of blending R&B with trap, a style that became pretty popular among other R&B artists. 

Lucky Daye teamed up with songwriter-producer D’Mile throughout the majority of his 2019 debut album, Painted. The smooth renderings of Daye’s voice on the album’s first single, “Roll Some Mo,” caught the attention of many R&B fans to figure out where this voice had been hiding. Daye puts his lover-boy stance throughout the album, which is heard on the sexy rendezvous track “Late Night,” adds a funky Ginuwine sample heard on “Karma,” and tries to figure out true commitment on “Misunderstood.” Since Painted, Daye has established himself as a promising star who continues to shine. 

In 2016, Beyoncé released her critically acclaimed sixth album, Lemonade. While the album is R&B and pop at its foundation, Bey also blends elements of blues, reggae, country, rock, and so many more. She works with a number of producers, including James Blake, Diplo, Just Blaze, Hit-Boy, and Mike Will Made-It. Lemonade gives fans more insight into Bey’s personal life. It’s evident on tracks like “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” “Hold Up,” and “Sorry.” In pure Bey form, the singer gives fans empowerment anthems on tracks like “Freedom” and “Formation.” 

Throughout the early 2010s, SZA released a few EPs before signing to the label Top Dawg Entertainment. However, it was her 2017 debut album, Ctrl , that helped push her more to mainstream status. In true SZA fashion, the singer blends her style of alternative R&B with pop which mirrors her tone perfectly. Some of the fan favorites include “Drew Barrymore,” “The Weekend,” and  “Broken Clocks.” The album was such a commercial success that it took her five years to release a follow-up. 

Just three years after her debut, Melanie Fiona returned in 2012 with her sophomore album, The MF Life. The piano-driven ballad “Gone and Never Coming Back” brings some elements of gospel as Fiona deals with heartbreak. She explores the pain of infidelity on “4AM” and deals with relationships on “Can’t Say I Never Loved You.” While Fiona’s powerful alto voice is perfect for ballads, she also gives fans some empowerment anthems with “Change the Record” and the rock ‘n’ roll-driven “Watch Me Work.” 

NAO blends soul, funk, and pop on her debut album, For All We Know. With a child-like pitch, her tone can pierce through a listener’s soul; she did just that on her first single, “Bad Blood.” She can move her acrobatic voice from soprano to alto, which glides effortlessly on tracks like “Fool to Love” and “Girlfriend.” For All We Know is perfectly sequenced and sonically lush for any R&B lover. 

The smooth vocal from Daniel Caesar caught the world by storm when he dropped his 2016 single “Get You.” It was the lead single off his debut album Freudian, which included features from artists like Kali Uchis, Syd, and Charlotte Day Wilson. One of his standout tracks is “Best Part,” a sweet love duet alongside H.E.R. Caesar goes through the emotions of up and down love, proving that he was a promising talent to grace the newer age R&B generation.

Six years after Floetry released its last album, the group’s singer Marsha Ambrosius dropped her debut solo album, Late Nights & Early Mornings. Throughout the album, she explores topics of sex on songs like “With You,” infidelity on “Hope She Cheats On You (With a Basketball Player),” and losing a loved one on her hit single “Far Away.” The album continues to be a standout in Ambrosius’ discography.

In 2018, H.E.R. released two EPs. The following year, she decided to combine them into an album, I Used to Know Her. From the album’s opener, “Lost Souls,” in which she channels her inner Lauryn Hill rap skills, to the acoustic guitar-driven “Going,” to the Bryson Tiller duet on “Could’ve Been,” H.E.R. showcases her different creative skills with musicianship and songwriting. It was a solid introductory prelude to her debut album that followed a couple of years later.