Is R&B Really Dead? Or Are You Just Not Looking?
The 90s and 2000s are generally believed to be the golden age of R&B.
This era saw the birth of multiple icons within the genre who reshaped the music industry as a whole. With artists such as Destiny’s Child, Usher, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill and many more, R&B was propelled into the mainstream and for many served as the soundtrack to those times.
Reflecting on the R&B of the past, many can’t help but look back through the lens of nostalgia and view this era as the peak of the genre. And it’s completely understandable why! The soothing yet striking melodies, intricate runs, meticulously stacked vocals, vivid storytelling and gut-wrenching lyricism, all masterfully blended to produce some of the most notable music ever created.
To this day, the influence of that golden era remains the heartbeat of R&B, resonating across generations and even crossing into other genres. Still, there’s an ongoing conversation around whether the genre has lost its soul, sparking the widespread debate: Is R&B dead?
While some believe that may be the case, I disagree. R&B isn’t dead—it’s simply evolving. It’s true that the genre may no longer dominate the mainstream like it once did, but there’s still a vibrant, innovative wave of artists pushing it forward. You just have to dig a little deeper to find them. Here are a few artists keeping the genre alive:
Natanya
Recommended Track: Dangerous
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist has crafted an eccentric sound with a nostalgic yet simultaneously futuristic feel. This unique approach to R&B makes her one of the most promising acts to emerge from London in recent years. Her debut EP, Sorrow at Sunrise, released in 2023, introduced the world to her highly experimental sound, rooted in a fusion of traditional R&B with more electronic, hypnotic, and dreamy production.
Ahead of the release of her upcoming mixtape, Feline’s Return, Natanya blesses us with the single Dangerous—a bold, sexy, upbeat track set in the dreamy soundscape we know and love. Combined with its deconstructed and extraterrestrial production, she warns listeners she’s bursting onto the scene with full force and she’s here to stay.
Khamari
Recommended Track: These Four Walls
If you put together SZA’s poetic lyricism, Frank Ocean’s resounding vocals, and Kendrick Lamar’s evocative storytelling in a melting pot, you’d get Khamari. While the Boston-born musician could be compared to many, make no mistake: he has tastefully crafted his own signature sound and is carving a name for himself within the R&B space.
His debut album, A Brief Nirvana (2023), offers an introspective, heartfelt look into the inevitable struggles of loneliness, unrequited love, healing, ambition, and the challenges that come with simply navigating life—subject matter many can relate to. One of the most popular tracks from the album, These Four Walls, perfectly highlights the elements, influences, and nuances that make his sound so distinct. Through his unique perspective, he offers a deeply relatable reflection on solitude.
Sasha Keable
Recommended Track: Take Your Time (feat. 6lack)
Not many rising R&B artists are name-dropped by Beyoncé when she talks about her current inspirations in music but Sasha Keable was. The South London-bred Colombian singer-songwriter, known for her powerful, soulful tone, choir-like stacked vocals, and deep-cutting lyricism, has had a ridiculous run over the past few months. While she’s been releasing music since 2018, she was more recently put on the radar with her single Hold Up, which has propelled her and brought widespread recognition. Since its release in April 2024, she hasn’t missed once.
While she’s had many insanely commendable singles, the 6LACK-assisted Take Your Time sticks out as her most stellar. It is a dynamic and sexy track amplified by the use of her signature stacked vocals, intricate production, and heavenly melodic ad-libs.
Ambré
Recommended Track: The Catch Up
The Roc Nation-signed singer-songwriter, known for a mellowed-down approach to R&B, may just be one of the most dynamic new talents on the rise. She has an effortlessly smooth style and is consistently breaking new ground within the genre due to her genuine love for R&B’s roots and her desire to help it evolve through constant experimentation with various sounds, influences, and other new artists.
Her 2020 single, The Catch Up, perfectly encapsulates her laid-back vibe, exquisite songwriting, and is simply just an amazing track all around. While Ambré is far from new to the R&B scene, there’s no doubt she’s one of the most underrated artists today. Not only is she excellent, but she’s also consistent—constantly putting out amazing work. She’s most definitely one to keep an eye on.
DESTIN CONRAD
Recommended Track: KISSING IN PUBLIC
DESTIN CONRAD is living proof that the future of R&B is in good hands. The 24-year-old, Florida-born singer-songwriter initially started off as a Vine star in his formative years. In 2019, he began releasing music, and one of his most popular singles to date, IN THE AIR, proved he was a one-of-a-kind voice.
Aside from his excellent vocal ability and intricate lyricism, what makes him stand out most is his unique perspective as one of the few openly queer voices within contemporary R&B. He has a true love for the genre and credits the iconic sounds of the ’90s and 2000s for inspiring that love. His recently released debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL, acts as a love letter to the era that shaped the artist he is today.
The standout single from the album, KISSING IN PUBLIC, is a Neptunes-inspired, upbeat, feel-good track. The track is supported by an excellent visual that reflects the summery, alluring energy of the song. It even features a choreographed dance break, reminiscent of R&B icons like Usher— a subtle nod to the genre’s golden era. He’s truly a student of the craft and is here to stay.
DESTIN is continually reshaping the R&B soundscape and pushing the genre forward. He’s the full package and he alone is enough to end the “R&B is dead” debate.
