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Sep 15, 2024 · Ranked by fans and critics, this list spotlights popular music artists and legends who have significantly influenced the spectrum of R&B. The criteria for ranking encompasses vocal prowess, divine songwriting abilities, performances that arouse deep emotions, and a compelling influence on the genre.
- Michael Jackson. A dynamic force as the pre-teen frontman of chart-topping family group The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson moonwalked his way into solo superstardom.
- Stevie Wonder. Over the course of his five-decade career, Steveland Morris has often been dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. Blind since birth but blessed with natural gifts as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Stevie Wonder is one of the few artists able to successfully transition from teen to adult stardom.
- Smokey Robinson. With his piercing green eyes, sweet falsetto and prolific pen, William “Smokey” Robinson has kept females swooning since the ‘60s when he and his group The Miracles helped put Motown on the map with such love-charged hits as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Ooo Baby Baby.”
- Ray Charles. Nicknamed “The Genius” for his skills as a singer, songwriter, musician and composer, Ray Charles set off a firestorm in 1955. That’s when he scored his first No. 1 single, “I’ve Got a Woman” — and simultaneously pioneered the soul genre with his game-changing combination of R&B, gospel and blues.
Billboard magazine ranks the group as one of the greatest musical trios of all time, the ninth most successful artist/band of the 2000s, placed the group 68th in its All-Time Hot 100 Artists list in 2008 and in December 2016, the magazine ranked them as the 90th most successful dance club artist of all-time.
- Beyoncé. Top Song: "Crazy in Love" (2003) Beyoncé, often hailed as the "Queen B," is arguably the epitome of a modern R&B legend. "Crazy in Love," her debut solo single, was a cultural reset - a horn-driven, hip-hop-flavored R&B anthem that showcases her dynamic vocals and commanding stage presence.
- Michael Jackson. Top Song: "Billie Jean" (1982) The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, infused R&B with pop, rock, and disco, creating a sound that's entirely his own.
- Whitney Houston. Top Song: "I Will Always Love You" (1992) With a voice that's nothing short of legendary, Whitney Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You" is one of the best-selling singles of all time.
- Stevie Wonder. Top Song: "Superstition" (1972) A musical prodigy, Stevie Wonder has been delivering iconic hits across genres for decades. "Superstition" sets the standard for funk-infused R&B with its clavinet-driven groove and irresistible melody, solidifying Wonder's status as one of the best R&B artists ever.
Nov 4, 2021 · R&B has had quite a tumultuous history in recent years. But when the genre is at its strongest, it’s everything that makes music matter – the passion, the emotion, the joy, the pain and the love that defines us, captured in melody. Here are the 50 artists who made the past four decades unforgettable.
Mar 18, 2017 · Ten best R&B bands in history, led by Earth, Wind & Fire; The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Kool & The Gang.
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Jan 3, 2024 · The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century. Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Mariah Carey, and more. By Rolling Stone. January 3, 2024. Photo illustration by Maria-Juliana Rojas. Photographs in ...
