contemporary R&B artists

At a glance

614 published contemporary R&B artists; 3,055 studio albums have verified cover art.

When they started

Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 2010s (192 artists).

Where they come from

Countries with the most contemporary R&B artists. United States leads with 315.

• United States 315
• United Kingdom 49
• South Korea 39
• Canada 35
• France 20
• Japan 17
• Nigeria 16
• Australia 8

Often paired with

Genres that share artists with contemporary R&B. The most shared is hip-hop, with 278 artists in both.

• hip-hop 278
• pop music 256
• soul 114
• pop rap 59
• trap music 55
• rhythm and blues 50
• K-pop 41
• dance-pop 39

Covers from contemporary R&B

3,055 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.

Leaders

Madonna has the most release groups (400); Randy Newman the longest career (64 years); Beyoncé the most awards (122).

More contemporary R&B artists

Showing 1–108 of 108 artists

Drake

Canada · Person · born 1986

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, trap music

94.8M listeners · 89 wikis · Tier 1

Nicki Minaj

Trinidad and Tobago · Person · born 1982

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance music, hip-hop, trap music

46.7M listeners · 114 wikis · Tier 1

Alicia Keys

United States · Person · born 1981

pop music, contemporary R&B

53.7M listeners · 98 wikis · Tier 1

Usher

United States · Person · born 1978

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance music, dance-pop, hip-hop, crunk

48M listeners · 81 wikis · Tier 1

P!nk

United States · Person · born 1979

pop music, contemporary R&B, pop rock

43.2M listeners · 89 wikis · Tier 1

Chris Brown

United States · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop

56.7M listeners · 78 wikis · Tier 1

George Michael

United Kingdom · Person · born 1963

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, rhythm and blues, pop rock, dance music, dance-pop, adult contemporary music, jazz, soft rock, synth-pop, blue-eyed soul, post-disco

23.7M listeners · 105 wikis · Tier 2

Backstreet Boys

United States · Group · 1993–present

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance-pop, adult contemporary music, teen pop

32.4M listeners · 75 wikis · Tier 1

Janet Jackson

United States · Person · born 1966

pop music, contemporary R&B

8.7M listeners · 104 wikis · Tier 2

Demi Lovato

United States · Person · born 1992

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, pop rock, dance-pop, electropop, teen pop, nu metal, pop-punk, power pop

37.2M listeners · 132 wikis · Tier 1

Post Malone

United States · Person · born 1995

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, country music, pop rock, hip-hop, rap rock, trap music, pop rap, cloud rap, country rap

66.6M listeners · 61 wikis · Tier 1

Kanye West

United States · Person · born 1977

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, gospel music, hip-hop, electro, progressive rap, art pop, pop rap, hip-hop soul, chipmunk soul

7.5M listeners · 110 wikis · Tier 1

Christina Aguilera

United States · Person · born 1980

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, blues, pop rock, dance-pop, adult contemporary music, jazz, electro, synth-pop

32.4M listeners · 130 wikis · Tier 1

Kelly Clarkson

United States · Person · born 1982

pop music, contemporary R&B, pop rock

25.2M listeners · 86 wikis · Tier 1

Amy Winehouse

United Kingdom · Person · born 1983

contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, reggae, blue-eyed soul, neo soul

23.3M listeners · 130 wikis · Tier 2

Selena

United States · Person · born 1971

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, Latin pop, tejano music, mariachi, cumbia

11.2M listeners · 124 wikis · Tier 2

Flo Rida

United States · Person · born 1979

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance music, electronic music, dance-pop, electronic dance music, hip-hop, trap music, electro, pop rap, electropop, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, house music, electro hop, electro house, EDM trap music, bass music, crunk, hip house, Miami bass, techno, trance

44.5M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 1

Donna Summer

United States · Person · born 1948

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, disco, synth-pop, house music

6.4M listeners · 78 wikis · Tier 2

Camila Cabello

Cuba · Person · born 1997

pop music, contemporary R&B, Latin pop, Gothic pop

48.4M listeners · 81 wikis · Tier 1

Sabrina Carpenter

United States · Person · born 1999

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance-pop, country pop, electropop

54.1M listeners · 84 wikis · Tier 1

Akon

United States · Person · born 1973

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance-pop, dancehall, hip-hop, pop rap, reggae, Europop

42M listeners · 89 wikis · Tier 1

Nelly Furtado

Canada · Person · born 1978

pop music, traditional folk music, contemporary R&B, rhythm and blues, folk music, hip-hop, Latin music

36.6M listeners · 90 wikis · Tier 1

Zendaya

United States · Person · born 1996

contemporary R&B, pop rock, dance-pop

14.4M listeners · 102 wikis · Tier 1

Pharrell Williams

United States · Person · born 1973

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, funk, hip-hop, pop rap

38.7M listeners · 64 wikis · Tier 1

Gwen Stefani

United States · Person · born 1969

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, new wave, ska, electronica

25.9M listeners · 81 wikis · Tier 1

Ricky Martin

United States · Person · born 1971

pop music, contemporary R&B, pop rock, dance-pop, reggaeton, reggae, Latin pop, music of Latin America

18.3M listeners · 87 wikis · Tier 1

Travis Scott

United States · Person · born 1991

rock music, psychedelic rock, contemporary R&B, pop rock, hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, pop rap, Southern hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, psychedelic rap, psychedelic music, psychedelic hip-hop

62.2M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

Doja Cat

United States · Person · born 1995

pop music, contemporary R&B, electronic music, hip-hop, indie pop

55.4M listeners · 67 wikis · Tier 1

Sam Smith

United Kingdom · Person · born 1992

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues

54M listeners · 67 wikis · Tier 1

Charlie Puth

United States · Person · born 1991

pop music, contemporary R&B

48.6M listeners · 60 wikis · Tier 1

Zayn Malik

United Kingdom · Person · born 1993

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance-pop, alternative R&B

29.4M listeners · 78 wikis · Tier 1

SZA

United States · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, alternative R&B, neo soul

66.8M listeners · 50 wikis · Tier 1

Halsey

United States · Person · born 1994

pop music, contemporary R&B, alternative rock, art pop, synth-pop, electropop, alternative R&B, indie pop, alternative pop

54.6M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

XXXTentacion

United States · Person · born 1998

contemporary R&B, heavy metal music, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, trap music, alternative rock, nu metal, rap metal, cloud rap, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, lo-fi music, punk rap, hardcore punk, trap metal, lofi hip-hop

31M listeners · 68 wikis · Tier 2

Childish Gambino

United States · Person · born 1983

contemporary R&B, soul, funk, comedy hip-hop, Southern hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, indie pop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic music, psychedelic hip-hop, psychedelic soul, dark pop, observational comedy, surreal humour, black comedy, musical comedy, sketch comedy

32.9M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

Bebe Rexha

United States · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B

43.6M listeners · 59 wikis · Tier 1

Ne-Yo

United States · Person · born 1979

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance music, hip-hop, hip-hop soul, Eurodance

47.9M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 1

Fergie

United States · Person · born 1975

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap

16.6M listeners · 77 wikis · Tier 1

Future

United States · Person · born 1983

contemporary R&B, trap music, Southern hip-hop, mumble rap

52.5M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 1

John Legend

United States · Person · born 1978

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul

23.7M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

Diddy

United States · Person · born 1969

pop music, contemporary R&B, pop rap, East Coast hip-hop

12.7M listeners · 72 wikis · Tier 2

Jason Derulo

United States · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B, rhythm and blues, hip-hop

41.9M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 1

Juice Wrld

United States · Person · born 1998

contemporary R&B, hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, pop rap, alternative hip-hop, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, mumble rap

30M listeners · 51 wikis · Tier 2

Frank Ocean

United States · Person · born 1987

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, alternative R&B, psychedelic soul, progressive soul, avant-pop

38.6M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 1

Timbaland

United States · Person · born 1972

pop music, contemporary R&B, electronic dance music, hip-hop, pop rap, experimental music

29.5M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

Kelly Rowland

United States · Person · born 1981

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance-pop, electronic dance music, hip-hop

18.3M listeners · 59 wikis · Tier 1

Rita Ora

United Kingdom · Person · born 1990

contemporary R&B, urban contemporary

10.5M listeners · 80 wikis · Tier 2

Anne-Marie

United Kingdom · Person · born 1991

pop music, contemporary R&B

33.6M listeners · 53 wikis · Tier 1

Khalid

United States · Person · born 1998

contemporary R&B

51.6M listeners · 43 wikis · Tier 1

Mary J. Blige

United States · Person · born 1971

contemporary R&B, hip-hop soul

19.3M listeners · 55 wikis · Tier 1

Lily Allen

United Kingdom · Person · born 1985

pop music, contemporary R&B, synth-pop, indie pop, ska, grime

11.3M listeners · 75 wikis · Tier 2

Jamie Foxx

United States · Person · born 1967

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, observational comedy, musical comedy, sketch comedy, comedy music, ribaldry

7.6M listeners · 83 wikis · Tier 2

Ms. Lauryn Hill

United States · Person · born 1975

contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, hip-hop soul, reggae, neo soul

16.7M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 1

Raye

United Kingdom · Person · born 1997

contemporary R&B

42.9M listeners · 43 wikis · Tier 1

Meghan Trainor

United States · Person · born 1993

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance-pop, doo-wop

21.2M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

The Pussycat Dolls

United States · Group · 2003–present

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance-pop

16.8M listeners · 63 wikis · Tier 1

Nick Jonas

United States · Person · born 1992

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B

9.3M listeners · 75 wikis · Tier 2

Mark Ronson

United Kingdom · Person · born 1975

contemporary R&B, hip-hop

32.7M listeners · 46 wikis · Tier 1

Nelly

United States · Person · born 1974

pop music, contemporary R&B, Midwest hip-hop, pop rap, country rap

25.6M listeners · 51 wikis · Tier 1

T-Pain

United States · Person · born 1984

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap

25.4M listeners · 49 wikis · Tier 1

Tyla

South Africa · Person · born 2002

pop music, contemporary R&B, new jack swing, Amapiano

25M listeners · 49 wikis · Tier 1

will.i.am

United States · Person · born 1975

pop music, contemporary R&B, electronic dance music, hip-hop

17.6M listeners · 57 wikis · Tier 1

CeeLo Green

United States · Person · born 1975

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, gospel music, Southern hip-hop, dirty south

16.5M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 1

Sean Kingston

United States · Person · born 1990

contemporary R&B, dancehall, hip-hop, Europop, reggae fusion

27.3M listeners · 46 wikis · Tier 2

Kid Cudi

United States · Person · born 1984

contemporary R&B, Midwest hip-hop, alternative rock, Q3071, pop rap, grunge, alternative hip-hop, neo-psychedelia, emo rap, trip hop, psychedelic rap, psychedelic hip-hop

26.9M listeners · 46 wikis · Tier 1

Aaliyah

United States · Person · born 1979

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, hip-hop soul, new jack swing, electronica

6.8M listeners · 76 wikis · Tier 2

WILLOW

United States · Person · born 2000

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, jazz, progressive rock, electronic dance music, hip-hop, alternative rock, alternative R&B, indie rock, indie pop, pop-punk, alternative pop, dream pop, neo soul, experimental pop

15.6M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 1

Madison Beer

United States · Person · born 1999

pop music, contemporary R&B, electronic dance music, hip-hop

15.4M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 1

Don Toliver

United States · Person · born 1994

contemporary R&B, hip-hop, trap music

43.5M listeners · 32 wikis · Tier 1

The Kid Laroi

Australia · Person · born 2003

pop music, contemporary R&B, alternative rock, pop-punk, emo rap, Australian hip-hop

40.1M listeners · 32 wikis · Tier 1

Jess Glynne

United Kingdom · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, dance-pop, house music

28.4M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 1

Missy Elliott

United States · Person · born 1971

contemporary R&B, hip-hop

9.2M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 2

Arash

Iran · Person · born 1977

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, folk-pop, popular music, Iranian pop

13.5M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 1

Kali Uchis

United States · Person · born 1994

contemporary R&B

34M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Alessia Cara

Italy · Person · born 1996

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, alternative R&B, indie pop

21.6M listeners · 44 wikis · Tier 1

TLC

United States · Group · 1991–present

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, new jack swing

23.4M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 1

Ty Dolla $ign

United States · Person · born 1982

contemporary R&B, trap music, West Coast hip-hop

34.8M listeners · 32 wikis · Tier 1

Little Mix

United Kingdom · Group · 2011–2022

contemporary R&B

14.5M listeners · 51 wikis · Tier 2

Anuel AA

United States · Person · born 1992

contemporary R&B, reggaeton, Latin hip-hop, Latin trap, Latin R&B

46.9M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 1

Nile Rodgers

United States · Person · born 1952

pop music, contemporary R&B, rhythm and blues

15.6M listeners · 31 wikis · Tier 1

Fugees

United States · Group · 1990–1998

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, reggae, jazz rap

10.6M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 2

Joji

Japan · Person · born 1992

contemporary R&B, comedy hip-hop, alternative rock, alternative R&B, lo-fi music, trip hop, surreal humour, black comedy, satire, comedy music, satirical music

26.5M listeners · 37 wikis · Tier 2

Miguel

United States · Person · born 1985

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, alternative R&B

36.9M listeners · 29 wikis · Tier 1

Keyshia Cole

United States · Person · born 1981

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, hip-hop soul

28.7M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Rauw Alejandro

United States · Person · born 1993

contemporary R&B, urban contemporary, reggaeton, Latin pop, Latin trap, Latin R&B, salsa

54.2M listeners · 20 wikis · Tier 1

Ciara

United States · Person · born 1985

pop music, contemporary R&B

13.4M listeners · 51 wikis · Tier 1

Kehlani

United States · Person · born 1995

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, neo soul

26.6M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Brandy

United States · Person · born 1979

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, gospel music, hip-hop

10.8M listeners · 55 wikis · Tier 2

Doechii

United States · Person · born 1998

pop music, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, pop rap, alternative hip-hop

24M listeners · 36 wikis · Tier 1

Seal

United Kingdom · Person · born 1963

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, house music, electronica

9.2M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 2

Gunna

United States · Person · born 1993

contemporary R&B, hip-hop, trap music, Southern hip-hop

32.6M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 1

Daniel Caesar

Canada · Person · born 1995

contemporary R&B, soul, neo soul

40.5M listeners · 21 wikis · Tier 1

NewJeans

South Korea · Group · 2022–present

contemporary R&B, dance-pop, new jack swing, K-pop

13.6M listeners · 44 wikis · Tier 1

Jhené Aiko

United States · Person · born 1988

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, alternative R&B, neo soul

19.7M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Ayra Starr

Benin · Person · born 2002

contemporary R&B, African popular music, Nigerian hip hop, alté

19.6M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Lizzo

United States · Person · born 1988

contemporary R&B, soul, gospel music, hip-hop

10.1M listeners · 49 wikis · Tier 3

Jordin Sparks

United States · Person · born 1989

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, dance music, hip-hop

8.6M listeners · 52 wikis · Tier 2

Trippie Redd

United States · Person · born 1999

contemporary R&B, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, alternative rock, cloud rap, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B, pop-punk, emo rap, SoundCloud rap, mumble rap, experimental hip-hop, rage

25.1M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 1

PartyNextDoor

Canada · Person · born 1993

contemporary R&B, dancehall, hip-hop, alternative R&B

28.3M listeners · 23 wikis · Tier 1

Tory Lanez

Canada · Person · born 1992

pop music, contemporary R&B, dancehall, hip-hop, pop rap

25.7M listeners · 25 wikis · Tier 1

Taio Cruz

United Kingdom · Person · born 1980

pop music, contemporary R&B, dance music, dance-pop, hip-hop

14.8M listeners · 37 wikis · Tier 1

Wyclef Jean

Haiti · Person · born 1969

contemporary R&B, soul, pop rap, reggae, East Coast hip-hop, neo soul, reggae fusion, HT-Pop

6.6M listeners · 46 wikis · Tier 2

Anderson .Paak

United States · Person · born 1986

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, alternative R&B

22.9M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 1

Robyn

Sweden · Person · born 1979

pop music, contemporary R&B, rhythm and blues, synth-pop, electropop

11.1M listeners · 43 wikis · Tier 3

Robin Thicke

United States · Person · born 1977

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, rhythm and blues, blue-eyed soul

7.4M listeners · 43 wikis · Tier 2

Bryson Tiller

United States · Person · born 1993

contemporary R&B, soul, hip-hop, trap music

22.5M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 1

Lola Young

United Kingdom · Person · born 2001

pop music, contemporary R&B, soul

23.1M listeners · 26 wikis · Tier 1

Labrinth

United Kingdom · Person · born 1989

rock music, pop music, contemporary R&B, soul, funk, pop rock, electronic music, dance-pop, hip-hop, alternative rock, synth-pop, drum and bass, grime, dubstep, post-dubstep

19.4M listeners · 30 wikis · Tier 1