Top 20 Contemporary R&B Artists Thus Far: In Closing (part 2: 10-1) May 20 '10 (Updated Feb 14 '12)    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 Amazing artists you cheerish and why. Go ahead touch the sky... Continuing from Top 20 Contemporary R&B Artists Thus Far: In Closing (part 1: 20-11) 10. Jaheim Rebel & balanced. If you haven’t heard of Jaheim by now, you’ve been more than missing out. This singer has the voice, the gusto and the genuine credibility to give you his different take on R&B. One can easily connect with this man’s songs, vibe, life, reflections, fears, hopes and dreams.  If I had to expand my Top 20 R&B Albums of All Time: Case Closed list to Top 25, Jaheim may well come up with 4 or 5 of the remaining five spots! He is consistent, committed and creative. If you haven’t learned to Put That Woman First and are now Lonely, just listen to his under-the-radar “Have You Ever” which is even better than Brandy’s song by the same name. Discography: Ghetto Love (2001) Still Ghetto (2002) Ghetto Classics (2006) The Makings Of A Man (2007) Another Round (2010)   9. Beyoncé With mesmerizing melismas (see “So Good” for a prime example), the sexy Miss Independent (before Ne-Yo) cultivated the “It factor “in her favour. She was the voice of Destiny’s Child before she made a name for herself. Now she does not have to plea Say My Name, Say My Name…  Beyoncé has been successfully singing, songwriting (even with the controversy for the “If I Was Boy” release) and dancing her beautiful butt off, on top of award-nominated acting and millions-making modeling. This Grammy-grabbing, girl group, Golden Globe guest, glamour gawkfest, gamely garners enough success. From the Lifestyle of the Rich & Famous, now we have Rich & Bootylicious. She sings a Hip Hop Opera, but her life is like a soap opera. From the young & the restless what’s next? Discography: Dangerously in Love (2003) B'Day (2006) I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008) 4 (2011) 8. Usher “Confessions Part 2” is one of the best R&B songs of the last decade for many reasons, including Jermaine Dupri’s involvement, but all these reasons have to do with Usher co-writing and signing it. This song could not have been created and performed without this ethereal Usher element. This is the point where Usher stopped being just another R&B artist with talent, but one that was creating his unique style. That said, Usher is far from a one hit wonder. In fact, his career could be described as Robust & Bold. Besides being a good songwriter, singer and dancer, Usher manages to simultaneously make club music and making love music, thus “Love in This Club, Part II” a sultry duet with you know who. He teams up with rappers Jay-Z,  Ludacris, Lil Jon or Lil Wayne to add some Hip Hop vibe. He has also been known to contribute to melodic ballads with Monica, Alicia Keys or better yet R. Kelly for some Same Girl action--check out the remix for some Kells gone wild!  Discography: Usher (1994) My Way (1997) 8701 (2001) Confessions (2004) Here I Stand (2008) Raymond v. Raymond (2010)    7. Brandy Ray & Brandy. While not as renowned and revered as Michael & Janet, siblings Ray J & Brandy both have had successful R&B songs and albums (look no further than these two for 2008) to make the Norwood  proud, and even though Ray J has been doing very well as of late, Brandy is still the brand name of the family and has always been well regarded in the industry. Her voice has a layered quality that brings depth to her songs. Blessed with good production and musical choices, her five albums all have a lasting essence and good replay value. More than fifteen years later, I still Wanna Be Down. Discography: Brandy (1994) Never Say Never (1998) Full Moon (2002) Afrodisiac (2004) Human (2008)    6. Whitney Houston Rehab & Bobby? Whitney will hopefully be remembered by The Bodyguard, likely not for her acting, but for her incredible rendition of “I Will Always Love You” which remains that powerful song everyone attempts to sing up to with mixed results. But Whitney was already doing so well well before that with two breakthrough albums in the 1980s, with positive songs like “Greatest Love of All“, upbeat “So Emotional” and sad ballads like “Didn't We Almost Have It All" and the like.  She would also do well later in the 1990s with her soundtracks and “My Love Is Your Love” fame proving she can be almost “Every Woman” A great singer Whitney will also be known for her capacity to make worthwhile duets and we’re not talking about her hubby Bobby. Think more of Jermaine Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Faith Evans and Mariah Carey… Discography: Whitney Houston (1985) Whitney (1987) I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990) My Love Is Your Love (1998) Just Whitney (2002) One Wish: The Holiday Album (2003) I Look to You (2009)   5. Joe Joe is the Tony Gywnn of R&B, a consistent Player (even if he says he doesn’t want to be one no more) who can also deliver a few home runs. His passion is palpable and his songs palatable. A Dinner for Two… How Do You Like Your Love Served? (to give a nod to R&B legends New Edition) Joe Thomas, New Man, same good songs. The Reflex of Beatitude. Where do I sign? Discography: Everything (1993) All That I Am (1997) My Name Is Joe (2000) Better Days (2001) And Then... (2003) Ain't Nothin' Like Me (2007) Joe Thomas, New Man (2008) Joe, Signature (2009)   4. Monica Ravishing & barely legal. Monica was on Top of The World like Brandy, then on top of the world with Brandy before she could vote or have a Brandy. Monica’s voice is marvelous, sometimes mischievous, and almost miraculous. The teen turned superstar uses her gift wisely and we wish her a long career like the Isley. If Monica could sing for me every night, I would be a happy man… Well, actually, virtually, she can--isn’t technology great? Plus, I am a happy man… But wait, please do remind me to put a Monica CD instead of attempting to inharmoniously sing to my young son in delusional hope that it would soothe instead of irritate him. Discography: Miss Thang (1995) The Boy Is Mine (1998) All Eyez on Me (2002) After the Storm (2003) The Makings of Me (2006) Still Standing (2010)   3. R. Kelly Raw and Bold or Rich Boy? Probably both. Robert Kelly may see nothing wrong with a little Bump N’ Grind or an underage dime, although the marriage was annulled and he was acquitted of the alleged crime, but not many people can see much wrong with his music, expect that perhaps, and strangely it can be either too sexual or too religious! Although we’ve all heard through the grapevine that church girls are the worse freaks, I am just waiting for a double album called Happy People / U S**ked Me where gospel and grinding are mixed in an unprecedented artistic statement of the two resounding reasons why one goes on his/her knees. All speculations aside, R. Kelly may use some questionable clichés and does have some odd low lights, but Robert can hardly be robbed of his title of musical innovator as a songwriter and signer. With his eleventh solo studio album coming out in 2011, we still haven’t seen the last of this best in class. Discography: 12 Play (1993) R. Kelly (1995) R. (1998) TP-2.com (2000) The Best of Both Worlds (w/ Jay-Z) (2002) Chocolate Factory (2003) Happy People/U Saved Me (2004) Unfinished Business (w/ Jay-Z) (2004) TP.3 Reloaded (2005) Double Up (2007) Untitled (2009)  Love Letter (2010)   2. Mariah Carey What Ella Fitzgerald did to jazz with her assured ad lib, scatting and swagger, Mariah did to R&B and Pop with her vertiginous vocal pirouettes that the star struck computer repairman even makes fun of in the intro to her “Touch My Body” video. Only Mariah also added a little playful sexiness that Lady Ella, beautiful as her signing is, could not quite muster. A Madonna with less moves, but more ahhs and ooos, Mariah’s Music Box of songs is like entering the Louvre. Having been to a Mariah Carey live concert, I can tell you that when she sings, you listen. She does not need to do anything else. From her flawless debut album, she has been writing, producing and signing her way to international success with one undeniable #1 hit single after the other.  From Pop to Hip Hop, she instinctively returns to R&B. Rare Bread. Discography: Mariah Carey (1990) Emotions (1991) Music Box (1993) Merry Christmas (1994) Daydream (1995) Butterfly (1997) Rainbow (1999) Glitter (2001) Charmbracelet (2002) The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) E=MC² (2008) Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)   1. Michael Jackson The Final Countdown: Rocky Balboa? A childish voice answers: “I’m a lover, not a fighter” Who has never practiced doing the moonwalk in the living room? For some that may be Dangerous. For Michael R&B may mean Real Bad! Not bad as in horrible, bad as in too good. An outsider, having had an early success with the Jackson 5 and been caught in the limelight, Michael tried to be different in his life and in his art. As monumental Marvin Gaye became “The Prince of Motown”, Michael took it a step further to become the “King of Pop”, not the mention one of the greatest influence on R&B. From dancing moves to music and grooves, Michael used everything he could get his hands own (even his crotch) to bring the listener to that other place, to the next level. Might it be pioneering the music video medium with “Thriller” and “Scream” or casually performing breath-taking on stage appearances (which I had the chance to see in his prime as a little kid in 1984), Michael was simply electrifying. He was literally on fire like the Pepsi commercial. With posthumous albums to follow, let’s hope the quintessence of this great performer will serve to honour him. In the meantime, just put in the timeless Thriller album on a turntable, in a cassette deck, CD/MP3/WMA player or IPod near you… Discography: Got to Be There (1972) Ben (1972) Music & Me (1973) Forever, Michael (1975) Off the Wall (1979) Thriller (1982) Bad (1987) Dangerous (1991) HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995) Invincible (2001) ____________________________________________ Related Reviews ____________________________________________ For more Hip Hop and R&B by the same author: Top 20 R&B Albums of All Time: Case Closed Top 20 Rap Albums of All Time: A Closer Look Top 20 Underground Hip Hop Albums: In Case You Didn’t Know Top 10 Rappers of All-Time: A Case Study (Part 1: 10-6) Top 10 Rappers of All-Time: A Case Study (Part 2: 5-1) ____________________________________________ UPDATE 2012 ____________________________________________ R.I.P. Whitney Check out for K. Michelle as the next R&B sensation to take the world by S.T.O.R.M with her skills, voice, vibe and backed up by prime production. The artist to watch in this decade. -Crazy-C

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