The 20 Best R&B Songs Of 2023 (2024)

“Think of Me” - The Shindellas

The Shindellas once declared their brand of music “New American Soul,” a mix of classic R&B elements with a soulful contemporary sound. “Think of Me,” written and produced by musical duo Louis York, encapsulates that interpretation perfectly with a new-age ballad that feels reminiscent of the golden age of R&B, when begging and pleading over heartfelt tracks were at their peaks. Throughout the 4-minute serenade, the emerging girl group — made up of members Tamara Chauniece, Stacy Johnson, and Kasi Jones — belts out passionate pleas to an often-away significant other, emphasizing that although distance keeps them apart, their love should always be top of mind. “Everyday that we’re apart/ Know that I’m loving you (Loving you)/ Baby you’ll always be in my heart/ There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be,” they sing sweetly with heavenly harmonies. For all the R&B purists out there, let this song be a reminder that the genre’s soul-sational roots are still alive and well. The Shindellas are making sure of that. — Njera Perkins

"Ego" - Josh Levi

Unlike other “ego” driven songs, Josh Levi’s first release of 2023 was less toxic, more confident, and arguably, selfless. He flirted with the theme of empowering someone to get what they want and not settle for what they don’t. Produced by Tone Jones and co-written by Jones, Levi, and Trey Campbell, the budding phenom’s mystique controls the conversation, honing in on the person he’s pursuing in an eloquent game of cat-and-mouse.

Though Levi is fully aware of the woman’s dominance, he blames his Libra tendencies for what he’s doing, knowing that she secretly loves him taking charge. “I know you lovе the chase/ I know you hate to wait […] I let them get out the way/ The n***as in your face/ I’ll match your energy/ That’s why you check for me,” he coos.

Similar to the grasp of Usher, Marvin Gaye, Mario, and crooners alike, Levi’s duality in this elaborate game of opposing egos is what makes this record so entrancing. — Mya Abraham

"Jeans" - Jessie Reyez, Miguel

Jessie Reyez and 6LACK can easily be considered musical soulmates, but that pairing got challenged once Reyez released “Jeans” with Miguel.

This may have been their first time collaborating, but their talents and spirits were clearly entangled in a previous life. “Jeans” is foreplay defined as Reyez’s innate sensuality permeates through the acoustic guitar and soft bass while the crooner’s amorous and tantalizing ways follow suit.

Goosebumps arise as she sings, “You fit/ better than a pair of jeans, baby/ Fill me up better than a feast, baby […] Stroke makin’ me forget to breathe, baby/ That face lookin’ like a seat, baby.”

Not to discount her duets with 6LACK, but Reyez and Miguel’s chemistry is seductive, inviting, and contagious. Every version of the “Jeans” music video— “ESCAPE,” “JAIL,” “STORE,” and “MUGSHOT”— showcases that as we all become voyeurs watching these two get lost in one another in the varying elements. Being able to entice someone while fully-clothed is an artform that these two have mastered sonically and visually. — M.A.

“To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)” - Summer Walker ft. J. Cole

While the bulk of “To Summer, From Cole” is filled with Cole’s heartfelt lyrics, the track is anchored in Summer Walker’s vulnerable, repetitive lyric “Call me when you need some love.” A love letter from the Fayetteville, North Carolina native to the R&B star, the song not only showcases the mutual respect between the two musicians but also serves as an honest effort from J. Cole to offer unwavering support for Walker in her public and private battles.

As the opening track on the Grammy-nominated Clear 2: Soft Life, “To Summer, From Cole” set the tone for the remainder of the EP to explore the complex emotions shared by Summer Walker through personal lyrics and heartfelt delivery.

“I cried when I heard it [J.Cole’s Verse],” shared the Atlanta native during an episode of Caresha Please. “He was just like, being hella sweet and just saying that he sees all the sh*t that I went through, and if I ever need to call him for anything… it was just cool.” — DeMicia Inman

"That's You" - Lucky Daye

Lucky Daye had a relatively quiet year of new music releases, but that changed when he decided to give fans a cuffing-season treat in November. “That’s You,” co-produced by longtime collaborator D’Mile and Bruno Mars, finds the New Orleans native yearning for something real.

On “That’s You,” the 38-year-old is no longer satisfied with the endless choice of “baddies” and the abundance of money, diamonds, and multiple residences. Lucky Daye realizes the only way to escape the empty feeling is through real love. On the other hand, the one he desires may have moved on for good.

“I sang my heart out on ‘That’s You.’ I felt like I was on the moon,” detailed the Grammy Award-winning performer in the song’s press release. “I want people to think about that one person they just can’t be without when they listen. Hopefully, that person is a good person.”

“That’s You” delivers the nostalgic element of begging R&B without being over the top in demands. Daye croons soulfully over the mid-tempo melody, showcasing the range in his pitch-perfect delivery. — D.I.

“Girls Like You” - Tone Stith

We don’t often hear a man’s perspective on getting played by a woman he’s all in for. Tone Stith’s “Girls Like You” paints a picture of what it looks like when a deceitful woman ruins a man’s outlook on love with anyone who comes after her. The track captures the true essence of early 2000s R&B with its slow-tempo beat, and Stith hits sultry runs as he sings about the effects of loving the wrong person. But the singer/songwriter keeps it raw when he sings, “Say you would leave me before you would do me bad/ Bi**h still did me dirty and ain’t cover up her tracks/ It’s okay, ’cause I still know I’m that ni**a.”

“Girls Like You” is a breakout record for the New Jersey native who rose to significant prominence after he penned and produced Chris Brown’s “Liquor.” Stith’s “Girls Like You” debuted at No. 6. on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart and climbed to No. 1 on iTunes’ R&B Songs chart. — Amber Corrine

"Waterfall (I Adore You)" - Yebba

What began as a teaser on Drake’s “Polar Opposites” has become one of the year’s best songs. Yebba‘s “Waterfall” was released in full in October at Drizzy’s request. The Arkansas native produced the ambient track alongside John Rooney. Yebba enters the cut with a smoky reverb coating her vocals, riding atop a minimalistic Rhodes piano composition. 

The piano played in the key of C-sharp/D-flat accentuates Yebba’s lyrics through tone painting. Like a waterfall, the singer controls the track’s tone with ascending and descending notes. The subtle technique reflects the songbird’s recollection of love’s ups and downs. At its lowest, her voice embodies heartbreak, and her vocals are euphoric at its peak. 

“Mirrors break, they multiply/F**k what they say/These feelings don’t subside/Obsessions fade over time/But what remains, love is whatever we make it tonight,” she hauntingly descants.Like the concept of an intricate love, “Waterfall” is timeless. — Marc Antonio “Spidey” Griffin

"Losing You" - FLO

R&B trio FLO (Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer) released “Losing You” in the final weeks of 2022, but the slow jam reverberated through the hearts of fans all year. “Losing You” isn’t to be mistaken for a grieved loss of love, but a reminder of loving one’s self. It’s that confident essence alongside their harmonious chemistry that has made the UK-based group stand out since the release of their debut single, “Cardboard Box,” in March 2022.

Since then, the ladies have worked with the likes of Missy Elliott, sold out their debut US tour, and made history as the first girl group to take home the Brit Awards’ Rising Star award. “Losing You” has allowed the ladies to dive deep into their Y2K R&B bag, with the visuals taking place in the same multiverse as Destiny’s Child’s early aughts classic “Emotions.” But it’s their riveting live vocal arrangement in the bridge that takes us over the edge. Their mics stay on and R&B lovers are better because of it.— Desire Thompson

"ego talkin'" - Saint Harison

Being able to acknowledge and “own” your ego is powerful. We fell in love with Saint Harison earlier this year with his gutting duet, “homies” featuring Tiana Major9, but then came “ego talkin’,” a dynamic standout from his EP, lost a friend.

The Deputy production has Saint aware that his ego was the driving force behind his hostile “sh*t-talking” in the midst of conflict. Unable to hide behind inebriation, he, Deputy, and Boy Matthews got together to string together discord into song.

“Admittance is the key to start the healin’ right,” Harison questions before declaring that he doesn’t want a slice of “humble pie.” This allows him to be aware of his arrogant desires before becoming apologetic. One may want to be vexed by the story being told on “ego talkin’,” but the chilling reflection emotes a harsh truth that shouldn’t be shielded, contained, or ignored. The record was such a force that it became Harison’s debut on COLORS and that live rendition has surpassed the studio version on digital streaming platforms by roughly 7 million streams on Spotify alone. — M. A.

"Mad At Fire" - Elmiene

What started out as just another viral blip online of a man singing in front of his garage was actually us witnessing Elmiene’s ascent within today’s R&B landscape. His rise to the frontline was slow, but steady. However, we’d argue that his breakout single was “Mad At Fire,” following the release of his debut EP, EL-MEAN.

His voice is reminiscent of D’Angelo’s sultry tone, but paired with Lil Silva’s production and Syd’s intense pen game, Elmiene embodies one phrase: “two things can be true at once.” The heartbreaking reality of leaving a relationship while still harboring feelings often gets paid dust because having this level of self-awareness means also having a certain level of emotional maturity.

But Elmiene’s beautiful display of strength as he sings, “Promise me in your hеart you won’t curse the days we mеt/ Even though we’re apart there’s depth in what we had” turned an isolating moment into a common ground. — M.A.

"Spend The Night" - BJ The Chicago Kid, Coco Jones

BJ The Chicago Kid and Coco Jones are known for their soulful offerings about love and heartbreak. But on “Spend the Night,” the vocalists team up for an unexpected pop-infused R&B groove that makes a night of hot passion sound like a party extravaganza. Produced by Yeti Beats, the feel-good bop oozes the kind of lively energy you’d find under the warm, colorful lights of a dance floor, followed by a string of sweet nothings in your ear. The song is flirtatious in spirit, evidenced by its romantic Tajana Tokyo-directed visual, as Jones and BJ the Chicago Kid trade smitten thoughts about their hearts’ — and bodies’ — desires. The pair’s record — the third single off BJ The Chicago Kid’s Gravy album — has spent six weeks on Billboard’s Adult R&B airplay chart so far, peaking at No. 23. And for the first time at the 2023 Soul Train Awards, the dynamic duo performed their intoxicating duet live. Though a departure from what you’d normally expect from Jones and BJ The Chicago Kid, the single is a welcome delight that proves why we may need more energetic collaborations like this in the future. — Njera Perkins

"Doctor, My Eyes" - Khamari

The euphoric highs and unimaginable lows that come with navigating one’s 20s is an experience that is all too relatable. For R&B newcomer Khamari, he would have rather felt nothing at all at one point. He beautifully captured what it feels like to run from numbness in his incredibly vulnerable record “Doctor, My Eyes.”

Faced with the brutal realities of entering adulthood, Khamari asks himself “Ain’t these supposed to be my glory days? Late nights that I can’t even feel my face,” as the stripped-down guitar strums affirm his introspection. He ponders for three-and-a-half minutes about how to make the pain of doubt go away. His soulful voice is intimate and emotional, inviting listeners to figure out this chapter with him.

The ribbon on this gift of a record is its delicate outro, which is a recording of Khamari’s grandfather sharing words of encouragement. The wise relative ensures his grandson that he’s being too hard on himself and reminds him to “take time to live,” because “tomorrow’s not promised.” While listeners can relate to Khamari’s struggles throughout the song, they are left with a sense of hope by the end. They’re reminded that we’re doing the best we can, and that’s okay. — Regina Cho

"2000s R&B" - Kenyon Dixon ft. RL

Kenyon Dixon attacks the critiques about modern R&B head-on with “2000s R&B.” The smooth ballad pays homage to the records fans loved from the beginning of that new century when men would sing in the rain and beg for their women back. While the message here is one of heartbreak and wishing he never met the girl who left him behind, the vintage feel bridges the past and present. Dixon flips Ray J’s classic “One Wish” chorus seamlessly and RL of ‘90s R&B trio Next pops in for an added boost to the record, passionately riffing about how he thought a lost lover would be his “wifey.” The true gem here is a strong bridge that builds back up into the chorus. It is a full, layered record with powerful vocals, tangible emotion, and a relatable narrative. Nothing about it feels contrived or gimmicky. This is the R&B people miss. — Armon Sadler

"Snooze" - SZA

SZA has a penchant for penning songs that already sound timeless before they have barely had the chance to age, and “Snooze” is yet another stunning jewel in her collection of ever-lasting ballads.

The SOS fan-favorite’s hypnotic opening riff, daring lyrics, and comforting sonic ambiance create a perfect storm that ensures it will withstand the test of time. Its dreamy production is a masterful collaboration between Babyface, Leon Thomas, BLK, and Khris Riddick-Tynes, the last of whom described the session as “pure magic.”

The instrumental makes you want to gaze up to the sky and fall into the sweetest daydream. At the same time, the punch of the potent lyrics bring you back to reality. It’s a poetic declaration of an earnest, nearly delusional love, as SZA shamelessly croons about how there’s no length she wouldn’t go to prove her loyalty to her lover. “I’ll touch that fire for you, I do that three, four times again, I testify for you/ I told that lie, I’d kill that b**ch/ I do what all of them around you scared to do, I’m not,” she sings.

The perfect nail in the coffin was the song’s accompanying music video, a fever dream-esque montage of SZA getting cozy with multiple love interests: Justin Bieber, Woody McClain, Young Mazino, and Benny Blanco. It’s safe to say that even with already having 637 million Spotify streams and 35 million YouTube views, the perennial record will never stop spinning.— R.C.

"Breaking Point (Remix)" - Leon Thomas ft. Victoria Monét

Leon Thomas and Victoria Monét have long found success behind the scenes as songwriters in pop and R&B, and 2023 served as a breakout for them as solo acts with bright futures. On “Breaking Point Remix,” the two rising stars soar on a soulful journey exploring a fragile romance with an inevitable fate. The duet highlights their vocal abilities with Monét’s warm tone amplified by Thomas’ smooth delivery.

Thomas’ solo version of “Breaking Point” is produced by Don Mills and was released on Dec. 12, 2022. On his single, the singer provided insight and shared his experience in the once-promising love affair. On the remix, Victoria Monét’s undeniable pen adds a woman’s perspective to the guitar-laden instrumental. Both tracks are featured on Thomas’ debut album Electric Dusk, released in August 2023.

“Electric Dusk is definitely different scenes of my love life for the past four years, all put together in a compilation of records. And I think that’s really challenging to do, especially in R&B,” the 30-year-old told VIBE.— D.I.

"This Is" - Ella Mai

Every great love story should have a soundtrack and Ella Mai’s “This Is” needs to be on the tracklist considering it’s love encapsulated. The modern reimagining of Shalamar’s “This Is For The Lover In You” has romance, desire, passion, trust, and yearning bottled up in one.

Produced by Mustard and FATBOI, the record has those aforementioned, foundational elements that the original tune sang of. Plus, the contemporary nature of Mai’s lyrics lures you in from its opening line: “Just wanna love you for my whole life/ Do it for you, I’ma make time.” She sings of an intentional love, but not a naive one.

Though current relationship trends lean more towards stints of delusion and toxicity, Mai eliminates those notions by being assertive and sure. Despite not receiving the mainstream push it deserved this year, “This Is” is easily one of Mai’s best songs in her discography. Her team missed the mark by not having a music video to back it, but the love story being told is front and center on the hypnotizing ballad. — M. A.

"Good Good" - Usher ft. 21 Savage, Summer Walker

“Good Good” was a summer heater from Usher. The track delivered on what fans came to know and love from an Ursher radio single—sexy, empathetic, and smooth. Yet, it carries a modern sensibility, making the track feel at home in 2023. Mel & Mus’ production offers a southern bounce with modern trap-tinged R&B. The singer moves on the song like the roller-skating savant he is—weaving in and out of inflections and grooves. 

Usher laments a failed relationship’s lousy timing and ponders the potential love of what could’ve been. Summer Walker and 21 Savage fall in line on the cut, playing to the song’s bounce and theme. In a way, the featured artists fill out the song like additional instruments. Walker, a high woodwind, contrasts 21, a brass instrument, perfectly reflecting a failed love’s masculine and feminine energy and perspectives. 

“Good Good” was Usher’s first top 30 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in a decade. The track peaked at No. 25 on the coveted chart. His single also peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song and No. 2 on the pub’s Rhythmic chart. — M.A.G.

“Water” - Tyla

Chris Brown was one of the first major stars to co-sign South African sensation Tyla by adding her to his international Under The Influence Tour earlier this year. The 21-year-old’s music remained within the borders of South Africa until her super sultry single “Water” went viral on TikTok, thanks to its addictive dance created by choreographer Litchi.The Sammy Soso-produced track is a sensually irresistible mixture of R&B, amapiano, afrobeats, and pop that easily gets anyone to wind their hips, hit a two-step with a drink in hand, and dance like no one’s watching.

The song’s popularity inspired a plethora of vocalists like Vedo, Trevor Jackson, Tank, and Capella Gray to create their own covers of the catchy song. Eventually, Tyla tapped Travis $cott for the official remix. Besides seeing chart success internationally, “Water” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, a historical first for the blossoming star. Tyla has become the youngest South African and first South African soloist to enter the Hot 100 in 55 years, according to BBC. — A.C.

"Kill Bill" - SZA

A murder mid-tempo ballad, SZA’s “Kill Bill” intertwined youth recklessness with cinematic narrative through evocative songwriting. It’s a vengeful messy love story that plays upon the thematic structure of Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 classic film of the same name. SZA’s story of a jealousy soaked ex who would rather be in hell than be alone has her going to escalating lengths to justify her ego. The S.O.S. single’s massive success was further fueled by a dynamic remix featuring Doja Cat. It added a fresh layer to the already captivating production, handled by Rob Bisel and Carter Lang, that’s reminiscent of “Twisted Nerve” featured in Tarantino’s Kill Bill and its original soundtrack. Lyrics such as “I just killed my ex, not the best idea” and “I did it all for love, I did all of this sober, don’t you know I did it all for love?” showcase SZA’s exploration of violent emotions. The song spent 50 weeks on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and peaked at #1 for 21 weeks. Currently up for three Grammy awards including Record of The Year, Song of The Year and Best R&B Performance, “Kill Bill” solidified 2023 as R&B’s year and was a compelling and impactful addition to contemporary music. — Kia Turner

"On My Mama" - Victoria Monét

When Black women transform their pain into prose, something magical happens. Since the term “rhythm and blues” was coined, we’ve seen it with Tina Turner, Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, and now, Victoria Monét. The acclaimed singer-songwriter wrote “On My Mama” as an empowering anthem while battling postpartum depression. Though she didn’t believe in the lyrics at the time, she understood the power of manifestation—causing her to write the song she needed.

The song itself is infectious with its sampling of Chalie Boy’s 2009 rap classic, “I Look Good” and the modern production from Deputy, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, and D’Mile adds a familiar element that strings Monét’s catalog together. Not only that, but “On My Mama” became a cultural statement once the video was released. Monét channeled the best of nostalgia by giving fans an Access Granted peek into the making of the visual that celebrated Blackness, HBCU culture, the South, and Black pop culture in a very direct way.

For the song’s music video, Sean Bankhead took things up a notch with his vibrant choreography, which led to Monét’s second viral dance challenge on TikTok. Arguably, the most beautiful line of the now Grammy-nominated single is when she sings, “Done bein’ the humble type.” After years of allowing others to rule the mainstream, it’s Monét’s moment to shine and she knows it. She has every right to add the subtle flex in the midst of honoring her body; that’s on her mama and her hood. — M.A.