If you’re wondering when R&B hit its absolute peak, let’s talk about 1995. This wasn’t just another year in music – it was a cultural reset that changed everything we knew about rhythm and blues. From ...

Welcome to The State of R&B, ESSENCE’s look at the past, present and future of rhythm and blues. In this piece, ESSENCE editor Rivéa Ruff reports on the blending of hip-hop and R&B. Since the ...

R&B has always been a powerful vehicle for storytelling and cultural expression. Understanding the roots of modern R&B means ...

Those who love going to R&B shows in Denver or hearing sultry neo-soul vocals at jazz clubs are witness to a blossoming local scene. The boundaries of R&B continue to shift as each wave of artists ...

A group of young singer-songwriters have transformed the genre by looking backward, without getting stuck in the past. Here and below are seven of the many contemporary artists who are redefining and ...

Usher Raymond IV, known to many as simply Usher, has been reshaping R&B and pop music for the last few decades. In fact, Usher is one of the best-selling artists of all time — and that includes all ...

From Lordkez to Umzulu Phaqa, a wave of young musicians is shaping a vibrant South African Neo-Soul movement that defies easy ...

There’s something sacred about a Black cookout. The smoky scent of ribs in the air, two-step anthems playing from a Bluetooth speaker, and aunties doing the wobble in sundresses and sneakers. It’s ...

The R&B world has been rocked by tragedy in 2025, and another legendary singer has now joined the list of those lost. From icons to stars gone far too young, it has been a heartbreaking year. The ...