The 21 Best R&B Songs of 2021 (2024)

"On It" - Jazmine Sullivan feat. Ari Lennox

Few R&B artistshave cracked the combination unlocking how to besensual withoutbeing overtlyraunchy, while still centering empowerment and liberation in their descriptions of sex.Jazmine Sullivan and Ari Lennoxdo just that ontheHeauxTalesstandout,“On It.”Whether it’sLennoxproclaiming,“These curves got you driving reckless,” orSullivaninviting herpartnerto “crash into these waves,” the dynamic duohave as much fun with their wordplay as the song’sdescribedlovers have with their sexuality.SullivanandLennoxstrike the perfect balance between yearningand patience;they’rewillingbutnot settling,freaky but not easy. It takeselite penmanship to writea song about sex elegant enough for a ballroomyetfilthy enough forthe bedroom.

"Come Through" - H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown

Sure,H.E.R.’sBack of my Mindalbum garnered four nominations at the upcoming 64th annual Grammy Awards and “Damage” is widelyconsideredher opus’s crown jewel, but more respect needs to be put on the R&B gold she and Chris Brown unearthed on “Come Through.” Centered around the best two-word phraseone could hope to see from their crush,the song featuresH.E.R.’s mezzo-soprano voice evocatively flipping what’s typically an invitation for a late-night tryst into a vulnerable sign of intimacy andaccess. Fornearly four minutes,shepaints the picture of a selectively social woman letting a yearningmale partnerinto her private space. The end result is one of the best duets of the year.

"Wasting Time" - Brent Faiyaz feat. Drake

It’s not hard to accept the offer of wasting time,especially when asked by the right person. On the first collabbetweenBrent Faiyaz and Drake, the duospeaksto the mutual understanding of dealing with women who are already preoccupied while also wanting them all to themselves. Assisted by The Neptunes on production(whilepaying homage to Pharrell’s debut album,In My Mind,withits singlecover art), “Wasting Time” fits right into the toxic R&Btrendfans have on repeat while loosely alluding to thebeggin’ R&B we know and love.Drake chimes in with the tension on full boil—”Fluent in passive aggression, that’s why you actin’ dismissive/Hearin’ me out for once would require you actually listen”— and speaks to vexations and skepticism towards past lovers.

"Something In The Water" - Tone Stith feat. Maeta

R&B crooner Tone Stith and Maeta take Kenneth “KP” Paige’s piano-laden production on“Something In The Water” for a spin to spill their hearts out about exes they can’t get out of their heads. Tone bemoans about his ex being out of his life butmaintainingreal estate in his dreams, and Maeta waxes poetic about the futility of the old adage of getting under someone new to get over someone old. Tone and Maeta’sseductive voicescomplimenteach other wonderfully.An interpolationof Michael Flowers’ signature piano work on Carl Thomas’classic “I Wish” is the perfect addition to thissong about a lovelost.

"Unloved"- Hunnah

Toronto nativeHunnahgives an ethereal voice to thesort ofanalysis paralysis thatkeeps manyfolksfromfinding loveonthe titular track of herUnlovedEP.The singerwrestles with silencing her own desiresviachildish pride, struggles with articulating ineffable feelings of romance she’s not used to indulging, and ultimately ponders if her indecisiveness will doom her to a fate of forever being unloved.On the song, shestrikes an engrossing balance between self-reflection and self-deprecation.Her questions about her future feel existential and her displeasure with her blocking her own blessings isuniquelypalpable, making the record one of the very best of the year.

"So Deep" - Brianna Knight

The deepest love connections occur whentwo partners are so in tune that theycan readeach other’sminds, and Brianna Knight’s “So Deep”demonstrates that well.Released in March, Knight’s boom-bap soul fusion is a wholesome jaunt through the love-induced grandeur a young woman seesin her partner. For Knight, her love interest is not just someone who hasherheart, they’re an addiction; her light and stars; a telepathic genie that can manifest her desires before she utters themaloud. In a modern society where love is often measured by the materialistic items one can bring to the table, it’s refreshing to hearKnight describebeing sprung off the emotional warmth and security her partner provides.

"Gangster of Love" - Aiyana-Lee

Love can, at times, be a battlefield, and R&B crooner Aiyana-Lee is equipped with a devastating combination of a “heart of gold and some brass knuckles” on the scorching ballad “Gangster of Love.” The 20-year-old R&B talent subverts tropes of love songsin which one finds themself victimized bynaivetéand blindtored flags. Her self-love is self-defense against heartbreak as she walks potential suitors through the many contingency plans she has in the event they hurt her, allwithhypnotic yet assertive vocals. Gangster rappersregularly describecatchingbodieson songs for survival.Aiyana-Lee channelsa similarlyaggressivesense ofself-preservation as a certified gangster of love.

"Good & Plenty (Remix)" - Masego, Lucky Daye, And Alex Isley

As a descendent of the legendary Isley Brothers, Alex Isley‘s airy and enchanting vocals have the makings of the classic soul singing many allege has died or is incredibly scarce. Paired with Masego’s unique tone, as well as the soothing sound of the Jack Dine-produced track, “Good & Plenty” is pure perfection. And just when fans thought the song couldn’t get any more perfect, a remix drops a few months later. Delectable crooner Lucky Daye gets added to the equation and plays off Alex’s melodic seduction.

The ethereal remix paints a poetically sensual visual, elevating the original ode to the physical and emotional pleasures gained from a partner while still playing on its romantic elements. The song is intimate, familiar, and fulfills our palates while leaving room for us to crave more.

"Nxwhere" - Jenevieve

Florida-bred singer Jenevieve fitthemes ofperseverance, self-discovery, and embracing the beauty of the unknown in a little over three minutes of groovy poeticism on “Nxwhere.” The first verse alone is only eight lines, asthe croonerpaintsimages of adestination-lessjourney with “the sky raining hell”on herbefore recollectingthingsshe“lost in the fire.”Thestandout verse on this standout songconcludes by notinghertrials and tribulations haven’t broken her, they’veonlystrengthened her resolve.

"Memories" - DVSN feat. Ty Dolla $ign

Ty Dolla $ignanddvsn’sfirst collaborativealbum,Cheers to the Best Memories,was a match made in R&B harmony heaven,as evidenced on theproject’s intro. The song reworksSIlk’s“Freak Me,”updating the90s classic while keeping the same sense of playfulness.AsTy admiresone woman’slimitless “throat game,”dvsn’sDaniel Daley buildswith another after knocking her walls down.Add in Nineteen85 and Noah “40” Shebib’s throwback production along with Daleyhitting high notes in the middle of raunchy propositions,and you have a goodol’fashioned anthem for your nextsexcapade.

"Lately" - KIRBY feat. BJ The Chicago Kid

The Tennessee-born, Mississippi-raised songstress KIRBY modernizes classic soul soundsmade famousby both regionson the tender love ballad,“Lately.”Along with BJ The Chicago Kid’s warm vocals, KIRBY yearns for her loverin a falsetto that would make D’Angelo and Maxwell proud. “Lately” is at its core a simple love song about two people looking to stave off loneliness by being with the one they care for the most.It’s pure soul music uncomplicated byR&B’s currenttrend of feignedemotional indifference.

"Promises" - Cleo Sol

Awhimsical track laced with hints ofthe‘70s and ‘80s soul,“Promises”serves as a reminder to self.It stems from Cleo Sol’sphenomenalsecondstudio album,Mother, where she navigates new motherhood, which she describes as “the most transformative, uplifting, heart–melting, strength–giving experience thus far.” In an ode to her younger self, Sol reflects on a lost love she didn’t anticipate, fitting into the thematic nature of sacrifices, faith, various forms of love, and emotional confrontation.It’s asweet trackwitha simplemelodythatguides the way to escapism. Allow yourself to wander away.

"Tangerine Dream" - Snoh Aalegra

Not many singers have a voice whimsical yet impactful enough to make an improbable airport love connection sound as attainableSnohAalegradoes on “Tangerine Dream.” Her empyrean voice and JoelCompass’sairy production pair perfectly in creating this weightless fairytale that’s still somehow grounded in the realness of a love feltdeepin the soul. There may not be a Grammy Award for Best Song To Play While Watching A Sunset, but if there were, “Tangerine Dream” would be a runaway favorite. When an artist can soundtrack insong a human experiencethatmost couldn’t articulate inconversation, they have a timeless record on their hands—and that’s what “Tangerine Dream” accomplishes.

"Come Over Again" - VanJess

Relationships aren’tdefined by titles, but by connections. AndVanJess’ssmoky single,“Come Over Again,” is anode to sneaky linkswho remainone call away; close,butjust farenough tonot be able tohurt you.IvanaNwokikeand JessicaNwokikeset the perfect atmosphere for coordinating a bedroom rendezvous, as theybarely sing higher than the intimacy of a whisper meantonly forthe partners on top or underneath them. The Nigerian-American sisters took the funky original “Come Over” from 2020, remixed it in 2021 as “Come Over Again,” and bestowed upon us ashamelesscasual sexanthem.

"Remedies" - Shelley FKA DRAM

If you’ve everlefta relationshipwhilestill livinginsideitsmemories, Shelley’s “Remedies” won’t fix that,but it’ll be the perfect soundtrack for your tears.The artist formerlyknown as DRAMharmonizes the story of his regret with such specificitytheimages he paintsfeel asfamiliar asone’s own flashbacks.A solo date at your ex’s favorite restaurant on what would’ve been yoursix-month anniversarysoundsheartbreaking,butShelley’svelvety vocals andthe song’ssoulfully bare productionprovide abalm to soothe any memories that still scar you.

"Unloyal" - Summer Walker feat. Ari Lennox

Summer Walker and Ari Lennox’s time is too valuable to be wasted on shade from underachieving ex-lovers trying to stop their shine. The duo make that much clearonWalker’s jazzy “Unloyal,”a standoutfrom her sophom*ore albumStill Over It. Two of R&B’s most honest lyricists, bothfamous for airing out menon wax,hold nothing back when tellingtheirsides ofthebreakup storiestheir exes conveniently leave out when calling themunloyal.

If you’re going to callSummerWalkerunloyal, she’ll make sure you remember the games you played with her heart. If you’re going to callAriLennox untrue, she’ll make sure to drag you for being a groupie forthemisogynistic“dating advisor”KevinSammuels. In the end, “Unloyal” isn’t a revenge song from two scorned women looking to disparage people they once cared for. It’s anuplifting song for women who know they’re too fine to be wasting time with men who would rather call you out your name than call a spade a spade.

"I Hate U" - SZA

Noothersong in 2021 madebitternesssoundquiteas cleansingasSZA’s Soundcloud–loosie–turned–Billboard–hit,“I Hate U.” The Golden Globe-nominated songstress and her trademark brand of diary-dumpedlyrics are the perfect vessels to channel the conflicting emotions we’ve all felt when the person we love brings out the worst in us.There are moments in the song in whichSZAhates and lusts over menwithin a five-second span. But perhaps most striking isthe wayherdecidedlyangelic voice isable to emote enough anger for the phrase“Ihate you”to hitlike a bullet to the heart shotstraightfrom a kiss.

"F.U.C.K." - Victoria Monet

The“f**k buddy”is a role as old as time,and Victoria Monet steps into that role on “F.U.C.K.” with theconfidence of a woman who wants youbut doesn’t need you. Lines like“I’m just trying to jump your bones, we don’tgottajump the broom”are remindersthat puritanical stereotypesof womenbeing unable toseparate sex from marriage need to be silenced,and songs like “F.U.C.K.” needs to be turned up to the max. Monet is comfortable not being someone’s soulmate because she knows she’s unforgettable enough to claimto be“the prototype” ofsomeone’sfuture wife. With a voice as soft as a nighttime lullaby and wit sharp enough tocoin the acronym“FriendUCanKeep,”Monet delivers an entertaining guide on how to navigate a relationship that’s platonically sexual.

"Grow" - Samm Henshaw

Toni Morrison said in her acclaimed novel,Jazz, “I didn’t fall in love, I rose in it.”If there was a song befitting of a potential film adaptation, it’s Samm Henshaw’s “Grow.” This jazzy, string-ridden ballad feels like falling in love at the cusp of spring on the first perfectly warm dayaftera brutally cold winter.

Behind the swooning lyrics and timeless instrumentation, the song also touches on the growing pains of love. By the time the tune hits the bridge, the British crooner lays his soul bare as he sings in a register that flows through you like a smooth dark liquor—no chaser required. Sandwiched between Henshaw’s other two singles, the revelatory “Still Broke” and laidback “Chicken Wings,” “Grow” slows the pace while also setting the tone for what’s to come from his debut album, Untidy Soul.

"Good Days" - SZA

Known for emotionally tapping into your spirit and singing the things you rarely dare to say out loud, SZA’s Grammy-nominated track arrived on Christmas 2020 and has been spreading subdued cheereversince. “Good Days” poured out of the singer amid thepandemic’slockdown and serves as a personal mantra. The lo-fi instrumental also eases the mind, allowing fans to get lost withinit.During the song’s height, SZA shared, “I genuinely lost my mind in quarantine last year. I have nothing else but to believe in good days because if not, what? I’m just going to let it spiral out of control? And that’s not an option.” And if that’s not a good enough reason to push through, what is?

"Leave The Door Open" - Silk Sonic

The mark of an effectivepasticheiswhenthe song inspires listeners to search for theexactrecordit’s molded after, only to find there isn’t one. That’sthe case withSilk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open,” a decadenthomage to the days of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonderwhen courtship was pure and not simply a formality for sex. For four minutes, Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars turn the purity of a crush into a sonic wonderland. Mars uses the fullness of his Grammy Award-winning rangeon the chart-topping singleto practically beg a woman to reciprocate his love. Meanwhile,.Paak offers all he hasto give(including but not limited toweed and fishfilets) because unapologetic simpingis what being in love isall about.