Top 20 Contemporary R&B Artists Thus Far: In Closing (part 1: 20-11) May 20 '10 (Updated Aug 05 '11)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 Mai by Eri Sugai From $4 The Bottom Line Artists and albums that made R&B better. A legacy of the Greats: young, old and even deceased. You wish you could sing like them, you wish you could dance like them. You do sing along with them--in your car, in the shower, in a karaoke bar with a few drinks in you--and dance away to their songs--in the club or in your kitchen. These are they artists that reach you with their passion, their power, their prowess. Enthralled perhaps also by their words, their wit and charm; their music, their legacy in songs. I initially thought of doing Top 10 Male R&B and Top 10 R&B Female Artists lists, but finally thought that we are not in the Grammys, nor the Olympics. Although men and women do have different voices and voice ranges in general, they can compete pretty equitably on this battlefield of beautiful ballads and upbeat bangers. In fact I also included R&Bish artists that are also partly pop icons which I tried to stay away from in Top 20 R&B Albums of All Time: Case Closed. All bets are off in this one to see who had the magic to create timeless songs, heartfelt performances and lasting albums. Let the best man (or woman*) win. 20. Aaliyah Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, but we all wish the ”Princess of R&B” would have made it past 22. With a life cut short, our Brooklyn Babe slash Detroit Doll will remain Forever Young. R. Kelly’s protégée, she became a big girl on her own with hard work and determination, not to mention talent and a little bit of luck. Although she danced and acted, she will mostly be remembered for her captivating signing. The highest, most exalted one. Rock the Boat. Discography: Age Ain't Nothing But a Number (1994) One in a Million (1996) Aaliyah (2001) 19. Avant   From his seductive debut, Avant has not exactly been avant-garde but guarded and selective. A very good selection of superior songs files his musical cellar. From earthly to stellar, from outlandish to sheltered. Avant is avant tout a passenger that makes the long trip better by keeping you company. Pleasant and mellow, Avant’s sound does not always stand out, but it nevertheless stays with you like Karma. Repeated Bliss.   Discography: My Thoughts (2000) Ecstasy (2002) Private Room (2003) Director (2006) Avant (2008) 18. Toni Braxton Delicious Diva, Read Braxton. Perfect, call the prefect. Yes, when it comes to the tone of her voice or her skin, Toni is More Than a Woman. She owned “Breathe Again” and the massive “Unbreak My Heart” and made them R&B classics. As with the great writing and production in her first two albums, she injected her powerful and distinct vocal abilities to serve the higher purpose of conveying a message and a mood. Allowing experimentation with different musical styles, she stayed pretty R&B (she also stayed pretty) and always brought a soul to the therapeutic tracks with her pillar-type presence and pristine pitch. Still doing her thang, she already has newer generations making YouTube videos trying to sing her songs… Good luck kids, keep it up! Discography: Toni Braxton (1993) Secrets (1996) The Heat (2000) Snowflakes (2001) More Than a Woman (2002) Libra (2005) Pulse (2010) 17. Tyrese   Rough & Boyish.  Tyrese is definitely a man. Trying to be “The Best Man I Can Be” supposedly.  He still ends up saying “I’m Sorry” but then wonders “How You Gonna Act Like That”. Artistically aware, except perhaps for his dubious use of Auto-Tune in “Take Me Away” (the signs of the time, but I prefer the “Signs of Making Love”), he is definitely a sincere-sounding voice we wanna continue to hear from. Let’s wish him luck for his upcoming solo album and with fellow pretty boys, Ginuwine & Tank, on his TGT group project. R for Respect. B for Bravo.   Discography: Tyrese (1998) 2000 Watts (2001) I Wanna Go There (2002) Alter Ego (2006) 16. Keyshia Cole Ripe & breaking through. Keyshia’s first two albums were so strong musically that I easily dismissed her sometimes less than stellar TV appearances, paparazzi videos and her own reality TV show. Her third album, although clearly above average was less spectacular than the previous two. Let’s now wait for her fourth fair to see how the fairytale goes. After her complicated pregnancy, let’s hope she will give birth to a healthy CD. Heaven Sent. A Different Me so I've Changed or I’ve Changed My Mind? Never. Could be the next Number One (even if the remix). She can just Trust Monica and she’ll be fine. Discography: The Way It Is (2005) Just like You (2007) A Different Me (2008)  Calling All Hearts (2010) [Update 2011: Calling All Hearts gained my heart being a solid smooth affair with compelling lyrics and a few classics.] 15. Mýa Ravishing Belle. Sex. Case of the Ex. Explore the world of Miss Mýa where anything is possible. Take Me There. Producing and writing most of her material, this sometimes material girl lost her stage freight and her Fear of Flying to take control. She evens drop her own mixtape on her independent label Like… Wo Discography: Mýa (1998) Fear of Flying (2000) Moodring (2003) Liberation (2007) Sugar & Spice (2008) Beauty & The Streets Vol.1 (2009) 14. Janet Jackson Any Time, Any Place, Janet’s career is a monument to innovation, determination and daring artistic expression. From the infamous Superbowl breast exposure to the assured sexiness and sexuality in her songs, Janet’s musical expedition has been progressive and impressive.  Risk & Bravery. Prepare the cavalry. From her earlier cute soul-searching hits like "Young Love", to 80s landmarks and 90s renewed hallmark songs  “That's the Way Love  Goes”, “Again”, “Every Time”,  “If”, and “Got 'Til It's Gone”, Janet dominated the 1980s and 1990s. Scream! So what has Janet Done For Me Lately? Joining force with Reggae’s Beannie Man & Shaggy or Hip Hop’s Busta Rhymes, Chingy, Nelly and Missy for some hot tracks while she continues to make solid albums and catchy songs. Vocally, she is likely one of the least accomplished signers on the list, but her charisma, demeanor, dancing skills, delightful music make us believe that we can Runaway on an Escapade and that The Best Things in Life Are Free…    Discography: Janet Jackson (1982) Dream Street (1984) Control (1986) Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) janet. (1993) The Velvet Rope (1997) All for You (2001) Damita Jo (2004) 20 Y.O. (2006) Discipline (2008) 13. Deborah Cox Cox’ s voice is strong and sultry. She is a talented R&B singer, but also ventured into some successful Dance songs and more importantly Jazz with her Dinah Washington tribute album Destination Moon. Her part of "Same Script, Different Cast" is delightful, but she had me at "Who Do U Love" and "Things Just Ain’t the Same". Her voice is pristine and penetrating. The Promise. Relax & Be amazed. Discography: Deborah Cox (1995) One Wish (1998) The Morning After (2002) Destination Moon (2007) The Promise (2008) 12. Keith Sweat  Still in the Game it seems. From his “Nobody” duet to his “My Body” trio cut, Sweat has had a profound influence on smooth and silky R&B or shall we say “getting in the mood” or “making love” songs. His contribution went way beyond his Chardonnay-like couple-forming uninhibitors. His baritone singing shines, but his collaborative efforts, star-search abilities and full-on production vision enables him to bring lofty artistry to the table. Sweat puts all this elements together to create this Rhythmic Bonding. From supergroup LSG that made you see double like LSD to genre-altering albums to lively live listening to sizzling singles, Sweat puts his blood and sweat into it. I don't know if it's Just Me, but Keith has put his energy and enthousiam into this everlasting endeavour. If you want to Make It Last Forever, just listen to the near miracle marvelous 2008 pinnacle. Discography: Make It Last Forever (1987) I'll Give All My Love to You (1990) Keep It Comin' (1991) Get Up on It (1994) Keith Sweat (1996) Still in the Game (1998) Didn't See Me Coming (2000) Rebirth (2002) Keith Sweat Live (2003) Sweat Hotel Live (2007) Christmas of Love (2007) Just Me (2008) Ridin' Solo (2010) 11. Mary J. Blige Rap & Blige. We are obliged to pinpoint Blige’s early days as crucial with the synergy we now see between urban Hip Hop and R&B. Puff Daddy pioneered a journey that would lead her to collaborate with not only Biggie, but Nas, Jay-Z, Method Man, Common, Lil Kim, Eve, DMX, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Ludacris, Wyclef Jean, Drake, etc.  and even occasionally rapping herself (as Brook Lynn) to appeal to most avid Hip Hop-inclined audience. She however quickly transcended musical boundaries and, starting with the more soulful studio album Mary, expanded beyond Hip Hop to attract such legendary collaborators as Elton John (as a pianist), Eric Clapton (as a guitarist), U2 and Aretha Franklin. In the R&B arena she is a staple on her own, but was able to work with ex-boyfriend K-Ci Hailey, R. Kelly, Usher, etc. She also has the best R&B Live Album as per Top 20 R&B Albums of All Time: Case Closed.  (Alicia Keys and Keith Sweat being close contenders) Discography: What's the 411? (1992) My Life (1994) Share My World (1997) The Tour (1998) Mary (1999) No More Drama (2001) Love & Life (2003) The Breakthrough (2005) Growing Pains (2007) Stronger with Each Tear (2009) Please continue to the Top 20 Contemporary R&B Artists Thus Far: In Closing (part 2: 10-1) *Please rest assured that hermaphrodites, ambiguous genitalia or transgender persons were not excluded based on bigotry or ignorance on this issue.

Read all comments (1)|Write your own comment

Write an essay on this topic.